In a consumer society there are inevitably two kinds of slaves: the prisoners of addiction and the prisoners of envy.
Ivan IllichRead
In schools, including universities, most resources are spent to purchase the time and motivation of a limited number of people to take up predetermined problems in a ritually defined setting. The most radical alternative to school would be a network or service which gave each man the same opportunity to share his current concern with others motivated by the same concern.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote critiques traditional education systems and suggests a more flexible approach to learning.
Ivan Illich argues that formal education often focuses on a select few individuals addressing predetermined issues within a structured environment. He proposes a radical alternative where individuals can connect and share their concerns in a collaborative network, fostering a more inclusive and relevant learning experience.
Themes
EducationLearningMotivationCollaborationNetwork
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about educational reform, this quote could be used to highlight the need for innovative learning environments.
More from Ivan Illich
All quotes →School is the advertising agency which makes you believe that you need the society as it is.
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School prepares for the alienating institutionalization of life by teaching the need to be taught. Once this lesson is learned, people lose their incentive to grow in independence; they no longer find relatedness attractive, and close themselves off to the surprises which life offers when it is not predetermined by institutional definition.
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The pupil is ... 'schooled' to confuse teaching with learning, grade advancement with education, a diploma with competence, and fluency with the ability to say something new.
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The myth of unending consumption has taken the place of the belief in life everlasting.
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Effective health care depends on self-care; this fact is currently heralded as if it were a discovery.
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