A wise man once said:

There’s nothing very high about “higher education” unless it gives something back to the community from which it was taken.

While perhaps not a full manifesto, the following are our thoughts with respect to how the Ten Principles of the Burning Man Project apply to the institution of education.  Primarily at this point we’re thinking about higher education, but we expect to expand to all of education in very short order.

  1. Radical Inclusion
    Anyone may be a part of our learning communities. We welcome and respect anyone who wants to learn. No prerequisites exist for participation.
  2. Gifting
    Everyone possesses gifts which they can bring to a learning community.  In a healthy learning community everyone freely shares their gifts.
  3. Decommodification
    We aim to minimize or eliminate the symbolic significance of grades, earning course credit, and quotas for graduation.
  4. Radical Self-Reliance
    Learning requires time and devotion.  No one can learn for you, and everyone possesses the talent required to learn what they need to learn.  Everyone owns and takes responsibility for his or her own progress.
  5. Radical Self-Expression
    Learning leads naturally to personal growth and creative expression.  Creativity inherently involves risk.  A healthy learning community provides a safe space for learners to take risks as they explore the new boundaries of self and interaction with others.
  6. Communal Effort
    Everyone is a teacher.  Everyone is a student.
  7. Civic Responsibility
    See the opening quote above.  Learners employ their newfound knowledge, skills and abilities for the betterment of the world in which they live.
  8. Leaving No Trace
    No intellectual masturbation.  Be purposeful and avoid spending time on busy-work.
  9. Participation
    No spectators allowed.  Everyone teaches.  Everyone learns.
  10. Immediacy
    It’s not about getting through and getting out.  It’s about making the most of the experience while you’re here.

Good things to come!!!

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One Response to A Manifestito of The Burning Mind Project

  1. […] Words A Manifestito of The Burning Mind Project Balancing the Ten Principles–Introduction By Morgan Benton On November 19, 2012 · […]