[NLA] Discourse on adult literacy

[hforster]

I want to express support for Andrea's excellent observation and to provide a new
term "Open Systems" and some example of its operation in situations like this.

The point about the meaning of commonly used words is most important.   A concept
that I am looking into with great interest is that of "Open Systems".  This is a
very democratic concept that originated on the internet with many of the early
computer programmers and internet developers.  The idea is expanding to
applications such as law and publishing.  It is not doing too well in some new
areas because people have not really understood the meaning of the word in their
context.

This list is an example of  the fundamentally idea of open systems.   The
problems faced here about terminology and meaning are the same as those faced in
open systems applications.  The openness and the ability to interact is critical
to the development of meaning.   As each person contributes,  consensus develops
and a new vocabulary evolves.  In relation to the present problem, I feel that we
should concentrate on what we mean and use common terminology only as launching
points for new ideas.  As we codify concepts the content evolves and so will the
language.  By moving the focus from words to concepts there is less distraction.
When the members start speaking with a new vocabulary then Adult Education will
have its own terms that can balance the effect of those terms that are induced
from the business world.

An example in the computer field is the development of a program to read files.
At the bottom of a page it would say -more-,  hence the program became known as
-more-.   When an improved program came about some one with a bent on eastern
philosophies in which less is more named the new program -less-.   Everyone now
pipes their files through less to read more of them.  The lesson taught here is
that content rules and don't be afraid of smithing your own language.

The above example comes to you through the courtesy of nerd non-conformists who
probably didn't know  the right words anyhow.


Harry







AWilder106 at aol.com wrote:

> George,
>
> It doesn't have to be "democratic capitalism" or anything like that.  The
> only problem is to clarify terms before the argument.  Small c capitalism
> simply opens up a potentially useful way of thinking, the way democracy opens
> up a way of thinking about social organization.  It seems sensible to me to
> ask what people (us) mean when they (we) use certain words, particularly the
> words that get tossed around all the time--capitalism, democracy.  There are
> probably other words whose meaning we should clarify so there is some
> agreement about the meaning of what we are saying.  Frankly, I like most of
> the hassling we have done over words--critical thinking.  I find it good
> practice, keeps my mind agile, sharpens my thinking.
>
> Andrea
> _______________________________________________
> NLA mailing list: NLA at lists.literacytent.org
> http://lists.literacytent.org/mailman/listinfo/nla
> LiteracyTent: web hosting, news, community and goodies for literacy
> http://literacytent.org