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Not a normal post from me. (More of a reflective piece)
Today was a strange day in regard to my thinking about community and learning.
I have always seen knowledge and people using the tree metaphor, strong tall with solid roots deep in the earth. For me the analogy of the roots going deep in the soil of knowledge with the more you know making the tree above safer.
Today's lecture about learning rhizomatic education was a jolt to the above beliefs, I have long believed the community are the back bone of humanity we all need to work together and in my mind that was the forest of trees however with Dave Cormiers ideas behind the the sharing of knowledge (through networks or nodes using an computer analogy) really asked a question of me that i could not answer, but felt attached to. The strange part that really stands out is the fact the theme has been turning over and over in my mind. This brought up the link between one of the greatest films ever made, Dune wrote by Frank Herbert, where a characters father tells him "The sleeper must awaken" (I can not stress enough how good this film is, and it has Sting in it)
Forward looking i will be reading and reflecting on this experience, maybe something has awoken? Time will tell...

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This is an area that is becoming more and more important to me. As the weeks go by it is ringing a bell. My initial thoughts and its an image that always come to mind when i think about control of society its the film matrix. take the blue pill and ignore reality of take the red pill and see the world the way it is

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How we all are going down the route of addiction to the internet and social media reminds me of how Doctors were paid by the tobacco industry to promote them even though they were having a harmful effect.

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I have been reading and watching (Mainly watching) Henry Gerioux in a lot of interviews and his views on capitalism controlling education and their fight to keep hold of that power buy making students and knowledge a commodity. I think this aligns with that Michel Apple is talking about. For me this embodies society in general where power is held through wealth.

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What does it mean to me .
I come from...
I come from a quiet, small village space
I  have such fond memories from that time and place.
spending time out with friends and running around
who would ever guess what adventures we found
School started, but wasn't for me.
engagement in class became frightening to see.

As time went by i added to my clan,
three children who i want to have a happy life span.
I made a pledge to them that would last,
they would come first until the day that i past.
My life dramatically changed and my career path to
from office manager, to staying at home dad, and dealing with poo
I have to say with a a big smile across my face
i wouldn't change a thing about this time and place.

Now im at university with all kind of issues
the deadlines are looking, please pass the tissues
but one thing i know, one thing i'm sure
i will get through this and the problems will be fewer

That is all for now, and i'm sure as your reading this makes you sad
however don't worry in life there is so much more fun to be had.

Craig Billington

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Considering starting a twitter, not because i want to, or because i have to, but so i can use it to highlight the major issues. The irony of using social media to discredit social media is not lost on me.

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This area is very emotive to me as i have worked in primary education and have seen first hand the issues behind under-funding. My thoughts on putting profit before people which will happen in any area where private company's are involved (eg NHS), are that it is the most dangerous thing to happen to the education system ever. You can see that private companies will put money in to schools and drive innovation however the fact remains that the focus will be on the bottom line profit. Once we place profit over people we lose our humanity.

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First week, big sit in circle and talk session, reminded me of films where children sit in a circle and pass around a talking stick so the person holding it can talk with out being interrupted. Felt like i learnt very little. Can see how people who are shy would hate this process and how people who love to show off and think they know everything would love it.