[extropy-chat] all that concerns me is the future of education

[spike]

> bounces at lists.extropy.org] On Behalf Of Al Brooks
> Subject: Re: [extropy-chat] all that concerns me is the future of
> education
> 
> No doubt they are-- but as Robert Bradbury writes
> there's more to it.
> Spike, hope you're not suggesting that an eighteen or
> twenty year old knows what is going on in the world.


Not at all, nor do they need to.  We adults don't really know what is going
on this world either.  Much of what we think we know is wrong.  

Your wondered why anyone would join the military, given the risk of death or
third degree burns etc.  Humans take risk just for fun.  I could take you to
the local rock face where every weekend, young men and a few young women
climb that rock utterly without protective equipment, no ropes, no bolts,
just hands, feet, and skill.  One slip and it is over, or possibly
paralysis.  Every weekend they are out there, risking it all just for fun.
Any night of the week, people are pulled over by the constabulary and
charged with being intoxicated as they attempt to guide their detroits.
Huge risk, taken just for fun.

In comparison, the risk of being in the military is not so great.  The
numbers of those slain in battle compared to the totals, they are probably
safer in the service than out.  If you wish to craft your arguments that 18
year olds know not what they are being asked to fight for, well, I would
dispute that too.  However if it is a question only of risk, we will find
plenty of takers.  

If one ignores the service to country aspect of it and looks at just the
risk vs payoff, the military is not a bad deal for an aimless young person.
It carries opportunity to get with the establishment, to learn how things
work, to be part of something significant, option to retire after 20 years
with a pension and plenty of time to start a new career, etc.  One could
definitely do worse. 

spike