Why use metaphors?
This text is part of: "I would never send my kids to school" by Piotr Wozniak (2017)
Value of metaphors
Metaphors do not substitute for a model or a proof. They are optional. They are supposed to help the understanding of concepts based on systems science, control theory, optimization, etc.
For example, many people believe that kids left to their own devices are bound to waste time on videogames or similar pursuits. It is helpful to know that self-directed learning can actually lead to well-rounded knowledge. This is a process than may take 1-3 decades. Well-roundedness comes from knowledge convergence that can be derived from memetic science. At the root of that phenomenon is an evolutionary process in which learning decisions powered by the learn drive determine the directions in which the knowledge tree grows.
As much as learning decisions shape the knowledge tree, business decisions shape the markets. Most people are familiar with how economies work. This is why a metaphor that compares the school system to a communist system may be more convincing than a load of brain science, and/or information science that lead to the same realization (see: Modern schooling is like Soviet economy).
I cannot be sure my metaphors are effective, however, I hope there are at least not harmful. If you see dangers, let me know. If you understand my texts, you can safely skip the metaphors.
Metaphor examples
Some metaphor examples:
- School system as a communist system
- Missile metaphor explains why school suppresses intelligence
- Mental computation as hill climbing
- Knowledge as a crystal
- Teaching as a mountain climb
- Learning as a jigsaw puzzle
- Puppy metaphor of classroom ADHD
- Education as a tree growth
- Disk and RAM metaphor of neural optimization in sleep
- Clock and hourglass metaphor of Borbely sleep model
- Switchboard metaphor of Alzheimer's
Alex Giorev came up with a neat model of the learning process by drawing parallels with Minecraft. His metaphor is useful for young folks to understand the brain, but should also be helpful for adults who believe that computer games are a waste of time. Most of all, the metaphor shows why compulsory schooling will never work. See: Minecraft metaphor of schooling