“A system that values obedience over curiosity isn’t education and it definitely isn’t science.”
—Danielle N. Lee, Florida Teen Tried With Felony For Trying Science
A beautiful rant about misguided public science education and how the fear of punishment kills curiosity, especially for minorities because they tend to receive harsher punishments, and for the poor because punishments end up being harsher on them when something like bail ends up putting their families even farther in debt.
“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reasons for existence. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery each day.”
—Happy birthday, Professor Einstein. May we never stop exploring.
Curiosity
Another week passed before the second set of Christmas houseguests arrived; Gustave came on his new horse, bundled against the cold and leading his parents’ carriage. Little Adelaide was considerably less shy when she emerged, excited to have girls her own age to play with for a fortnight. Cosette ran at once to greet Sarah, abandoning half-finished pie crust and still wearing floury apron.
Inside, Celeste was reading by the fire as usual, her book propped gently against Jean’s back. He was whittling dolls for church children, his favorite pastime it seemed. The two had been almost completely inseparable since their quarrel a week ago; wherever Celeste went, save for her own bedroom at night, Jean followed like a loyal hound. Her grandmother found it charming; her father was not so pleased, but could say nothing to stop it.
She glanced up when she heard her mother calling Aunt Sarah’s name.
“I suppose that’ll be Gus,” she said mildly to her eldest sister.
