Comments on: Belief and Doubt http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2007/02/24/belief-and-doubt/ (bôr'dər-lănd') n. Located on or near a frontier. An indeterminate area or condition. Mon, 08 Sep 2008 04:21:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: teacherken http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2007/02/24/belief-and-doubt/#comment-26972 teacherken Mon, 05 Mar 2007 02:23:22 +0000 http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2007/02/24/belief-and-doubt/#comment-26972 The Parker Palmer is one of the most profound books about education I have ever encountered. I remember giving it to a young lady I had taught as a high school freshman when she graduated from high school. She had decided she wanted to be a teacher, and I could think of no better present to offer her. She is now a senior at a nearby university, a student teacher in our school, and her copy is well worn. Thanks for reading what I wrote. The Parker Palmer is one of the most profound books about education I have ever encountered. I remember giving it to a young lady I had taught as a high school freshman when she graduated from high school. She had decided she wanted to be a teacher, and I could think of no better present to offer her. She is now a senior at a nearby university, a student teacher in our school, and her copy is well worn.

Thanks for reading what I wrote.

]]> By: The Blog of Ms. Mercer » My recenting wanderings in blogs… http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2007/02/24/belief-and-doubt/#comment-26758 The Blog of Ms. Mercer » My recenting wanderings in blogs… Tue, 27 Feb 2007 02:04:42 +0000 http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2007/02/24/belief-and-doubt/#comment-26758 [...] I always find Doug Noon’s writing a delight to read. Here he is on Doubters, believers and others. [...] [...] I always find Doug Noon’s writing a delight to read. Here he is on Doubters, believers and others. [...]

]]> By: Doug http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2007/02/24/belief-and-doubt/#comment-26729 Doug Sun, 25 Feb 2007 23:20:30 +0000 http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2007/02/24/belief-and-doubt/#comment-26729 <strong>Marco</strong>, thanks for the provocative comments, as usual. I especially appreciate your analysis of the dynamics of debate. It's a new thing for me, and I'm learning to filter it. <strong>Bruce</strong>: It's good to hear an echo now and then. :) Marco, thanks for the provocative comments, as usual. I especially appreciate your analysis of the dynamics of debate. It’s a new thing for me, and I’m learning to filter it.

Bruce: It’s good to hear an echo now and then. :)

]]> By: Marco Polo http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2007/02/24/belief-and-doubt/#comment-26707 Marco Polo Sun, 25 Feb 2007 09:17:50 +0000 http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2007/02/24/belief-and-doubt/#comment-26707 Of course, even reasonable debate can turn into a kind of <a href="http://tesoltrouper.blogs.ie/2007/02/25/your-kung-fu-no-good/" rel="nofollow">silly Kung-fu movie.</a> Of course, even reasonable debate can turn into a kind of silly Kung-fu movie.

]]> By: Bruce Schauble http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2007/02/24/belief-and-doubt/#comment-26704 Bruce Schauble Sun, 25 Feb 2007 07:28:57 +0000 http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2007/02/24/belief-and-doubt/#comment-26704 At the risk of being accused of being just another vibration in the echo chamber, let me say I'm with you on this, Doug. You say "Character speaks to me. I respect nobility, and generosity. I’m suspicious of certainty. Commitment to particular methods is an obstacle to growth. The power of personal connections, trust, and genuine interest are powerful beyond the measure of any set of technical procedures or scientific principles." And I say, Amen, brother. That's the battle that I fight with myself every day. I've been at this job long enough that I have plenty of hardened ideas, even when I try not to, and I sometimes find it difficult to hear what other people are saying, especially when it flies in the face of what seems to me like common sense. And, like you, I don't particularly relish controversy. If we can have an exploratory conversation, fine. But if someone's going to be on the sideline keeping score, I'm packing up and going home. You may be in fact be self-critical by nature, and I don't think that's a bad thing. But all in good measure. If there's one person in blogworld whose opinion and good judgment I respect, it's yours. At the risk of being accused of being just another vibration in the echo chamber, let me say I’m with you on this, Doug. You say “Character speaks to me. I respect nobility, and generosity. I’m suspicious of certainty. Commitment to particular methods is an obstacle to growth. The power of personal connections, trust, and genuine interest are powerful beyond the measure of any set of technical procedures or scientific principles.” And I say, Amen, brother.

That’s the battle that I fight with myself every day. I’ve been at this job long enough that I have plenty of hardened ideas, even when I try not to, and I sometimes find it difficult to hear what other people are saying, especially when it flies in the face of what seems to me like common sense. And, like you, I don’t particularly relish controversy. If we can have an exploratory conversation, fine. But if someone’s going to be on the sideline keeping score, I’m packing up and going home.

You may be in fact be self-critical by nature, and I don’t think that’s a bad thing. But all in good measure. If there’s one person in blogworld whose opinion and good judgment I respect, it’s yours.

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