"I'd write off at least 75% of what's taught in general, non-technical
education as 'ritual knowledge'"
I kinda like those two words together, Marion.
On this list, months ago, one thread wove together comments and
observations about story-telling, cultural knowledge and myth. Perhaps
there's something inchoate but powerful about ritual knowledge that Bill
Hobler, Marion Brady and I--and you all--have imbibed over the years.
Like Bill, I remember certain organized learnings (sic) where Dr. Krugavoy
would weave his spell over me, where Ivan and Alyosha Karamazov's dialog
became something else than words. Go figure.
Here I am in an office, typing into the unknown, in between total quality
commitments at a manufacturing company. Walter and Walda Mitty, you
represent only half the picture, and a paltry half at that!
Gimme that good ol' ritual, my Friend. He wrote this in the early 1200's:
Two strong impulses: One,
to drink long and deep,
the other,
not to sober up too soon.
--Rumi
Ritual knowledge is sometimes wonderful, perhaps mostly needed, to
counteract knowledge with no context, knowledge shorn or ethical
foundation and human touch. Oh that the world had access to fulfilling
and positive, moral and enlightening ritual knowledge!
-- Barry Mallis bmallis@markem.com
Learning-org -- An Internet Dialog on Learning Organizations For info: <rkarash@karash.com> -or- <http://world.std.com/~lo/>