Education as a Civil Right
If you enjoy learning new things because you want to make a difference, hold onto that. Just know that difference comes with a price; it makes some people who keep control feel insecure, and yet, the consequences of knowledge are liberating and empowering. I have long advocated for access to universal knowledge, almost my entire life, a type of education that is free, from kindergarten to Ph.D., based on science and the humanities. Over time, I've come to see the term "universal" not as neutral but as potentially erasing difference since the assumption of cultural homogeneity is not something I support; nonetheless, I believe all Americans can benefit from understanding all scientific laws and the most important theories that help us understand our natural surroundings as well as the society we belong to. This is not an essay on universal knowledge or higher education but truly about the political and ethical weight of knowledge and the urgent need to make it more accessible, autonomous, and a civil right.
Listen, I'm in the same boat when it comes to living paycheck-to-paycheck, doom-scrolling as a coping mechanism, and feeling anxiety with every terrible breaking news we are forced to witness. It is overwhelming, perhaps by design, but one thing makes a difference in our ability to survive these unprecedented times (I borrowed that quote from the COVID-19 era if it ever ends), our human ability for critical thinking; we all possess it. Please avoid those IQ tests and MENSA conventions; human beings have evolved and adapted to learn new skills and to forecast possible outcomes in fractions of a second, but here's the thing, while at the same time our brains predict the future, we have to feed it high-quality content, which includes learning from our own mistakes, watching others make mistakes, repetition, writing down notes with our hands, and even getting our hearts broken. Our brains need that knowledge, so the type of future they predict is more accurate than Collin Powell's WMD intelligence briefings.
Let me start with mathematics. Have you ever wondered why most of us have been told that mathematics is too complicated to learn but only when you are black, brown, or come from a lower socioeconomic class? We have some unique exceptions with brilliant little nerds, and we are all thrilled about your achievements, but I'm generalizing here. Full disclosure here: I'm not as good at math as I'd like to be. Still, I do love the idea of understanding things in a mathematical way that's closer to philosophy because that's the whole idea here: it's about solving problems and voids to get us closer to truth and power. Just know that your biology is not the main reason we are afraid of math; it's our zip code, it's an institutional failure, and you can learn it and compete against any preppy Ivy League math club. Still, we need to make this a social investment. Our brains consume a significant amount of energy; approximately 20% of the energy we use daily is allocated to brain function, if I recall correctly, from my undergraduate anthropology introductory courses. This means we need high-quality food in all neighborhoods and the right to sleep for at least eight hours straight. Do you see why learning mathematics is also a problem related to class and "race"?
But why is math so crucial if we want to win politically? I have a long list, but let's start with our wallets. Thanks to former President Reagan, most of us don't have a retirement fund to purchase an Italian Village at age 65 or, at a minimum, play Gulf with our friends before brunch on Sunday while we skip church; I have sad news for you, we are all going to get old, and that debt we carry alongside will continue to grow faster than our 401ks if you have one. Must working-class people have to hustle somehow, we are no longer living in the 8hr day labor promise; most Americans need more than 8 hours of work to be able to pay for rent, the rest of the money goes to predatory loans with savage interest rates or car loans that will live after your car dies, being working-class in America is virtually unsustainable, but the one thing capitalism hasn't been able to destroy is the human skill and evolutionary social trait of altruism and social cooperation, somehow most of us still manage to live under these oppressive circumstances. What would happen if, all of a sudden, most people in our communities understood the power of cooperation at a mathematical level? And we apply that to retirement, health care, and access to education. Don't you think it would extinguish any false narrative that enables predatory economic systems? We could have more credit unions in our neighborhoods instead of title loans, quick loans, etc.
The second topic that we can all benefit from is learning about psychics. Again, you still need to know some math to understand the philosophical aspects of how the universe works. Think about that and how powerful it is. You have all the human instincts and capabilities to know how a black hole operates (to the best of our knowledge). It's true that flexing with your friends and relatives on these subjects may not affect the evil forces of income inequality or will give you a pay raise, but here's my main argument for learning about the most essential scientific laws. We call them laws because they are stubbornly true. Newton's Laws of motion, the Law of Universal Gravitation, Thermodynamics, and the Law of Induction, and if we want to add some Natural Science to the mix, we have the Law of Superposition, the Law of Uniformitarianism, and the Law of Conservation of Mass. Why are these so important? First, I would argue that you will piss off every History Channel and YouTube pseudoscience charlatan, and that is my most significant point; these laws are actually not difficult to learn, and they are fascinating truths we used to teach kids; these are elementary-level subjects, you can obviously expand your cosmological curiosity, but for the nature of this essay, just know that learning the basics of those laws will make your brain predict outcomes at a more logical level, in other words, it will be more difficult for the powerful to bullshit you. I know that liking Ancient Aliens and immersing yourself in weird pseudoarcheology rabbit holes seem innocent, that there is no real danger here. Wrong; one of the roots of white supremacy and totalitarianism dwells in the control of historical narratives that include ancient engineering, astronomy, and agriculture. Knowing the basics of universal laws can not only give you the gift of having some strange talking points at parties when there's that awkward silence, but you will be able to have a level of critical thinking that will question those at the top who want you to believe that our ancestors worked under similar circumstances for alien overlords. Moreover, knowing these laws by heart will give you the absolute foundation to pursue any STEM area of study, as well as Social Sciences, if you want.
We view STEM as purely technical areas of study, with a focus on economic outcomes more than social investment and a philosophical foundation for other fields. I have seen college students debating the forces of the universe with such passion and, later, after graduation, selling insurance policies (my apologies if you sell insurance; I don't need a life insurance policy, and I'm fine). The Philosophy Club, when I was an undergraduate, hosted a debate between a Philosophy Professor and a Physics professor. I'll be honest with you, most of the students were there for the free pizza and camaraderie, but we all witnessed the power of knowledge in action. The topic was the philosophical aspects of time-traveling by bending the fabric of time and space, something almost complicated to explain, but not really. Here's the thing: philosophy ensures that your imagination and all the information you possess strays logical and coherent. At the same time, physics translates imagination into a universal language, mathematics.
I don't know about you, but I find it exhausting to argue about topics that should not be that difficult to comprehend with people who get almost all of their education from propaganda online or TV, especially when they know what they are talking about is a lie, a lie they have to force into themselves first before regurgitating it to others, breaking news Einstein, we all know is still a lie, you know it's a lie, and the people you got that information from know is a lie, we are literally just debating nothing, we are just defending some invisible political border around our echo chambers, nobody is listening outside your bubble, but guess what? All the little bubbles are being affected equally by those who sell those lies. Perhaps we have a moral problem of a lack of integrity, but honestly, I think we are dealing with a powerful cult; the evidence lies in the language being used and their behaviors.
A well-rounded, holistic education based on science and critical thinking is your best line of defense against tyranny and bullies. Obviously, we have a bunch of well-educated, unscrupulous individuals, so education is not all, but this is why it is so vital: an informed individual and community can resist and dissent.
A free society requires a knowledgeable and virtuous citizenry. In a letter to his wife Abigail, John Adams wrote:
"I must study politics and war, that our sons may have the liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. Our sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history, naval architecture, navigation, commerce, and agriculture to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain."
Consider that for a moment: we inherited a country that defeated the most powerful empire of the time through a revolution that inspired an even larger revolution in France and Europe. It all began with the idea that collectivism and education are powerful tools to control monarchies and oligarchs alike.
Obtaining a college degree is not for everyone; I understand that, but it should be our right, and teaching the basics to everyone should be our moral obligation. I know there is a home-schooling movement that will disagree with me, the same people vomiting lies about vaccines and conspiracy theories, but see, school is the starting point of the community. You learn how to divide and multiply while you are thinking about a strategy to fight against your bully, or believe it or not, the premises of Kantian diplomacy can be found in the early stages of elementary school, when we want to send a message to the person we cannot stand, but we need something out of them, we send our best friend whom for some reason gets along with both of us, diplomacy is an art and an equation, and kids know how to use it. You don't learn that at home. Understanding this concept on a larger scale can help you comprehend some of the most complex conflicts in the Middle East. For instance, we have key players that get along with the U.S., Iran, Iranian proxies, and, to some extent, even Israel; the most reactionary person would say, well, let's cut ties with that country? What are we even doing there? A more pragmatic approach would involve cutting more trade deals; after all, you don't have to like another country or its people to respect a business deal. In the end, cultural exchanges take care of the rest and prevents conflicts. You would be surprised how much more we have in common among cultures and nations, but that's something we all have to learn, too. We all have someone who irritates us for no evident reason; for me, it is the fake boisterous laughter, eating with the mouth wide open, and most pick-up drivers trying to park their monsters backward. Disliking people doesn't give anyone the right to censor their voices; we should be fighting back with stronger and more logical arguments while simultaneously respecting their dignity, I know it sounds like too much to be able to handle, but trust me on this one, we cannot run a society with rage and vengeance, it should be about persuading, not dividing.
I want to make it clear to everyone interested in searching, investigating, and getting to the bottom of things, you should remain skeptical and continue to have that drive and curiosity. However, I also invite you to be skeptical of your own sources and methodologies and to allow yourselves to receive criticism. You should all approach this with a scientific mindset and conduct thorough research. Let's revise the definition of science first, because one thing is to "google" something and learn some of the first talking points that side with your biases, and another one is to conduct actual research. The first step is to allow yourself to identify patterns, which is simply an observation, your "gut feeling," if you will. Here, you must ask yourself: Are they just my personal biases manifesting? So, when you think about a hypothesis, you do some searching, ask questions, and whatever methodology you pick, but for the love of God, question your sources. Here's my biggest tip for you, ask yourself, "Who is paying for that source? Where does the money come from?" and follow-up questions should be, "What are their intentions?" "What are their qualifications and experience?" and search their backgrounds. It is okay and preferred to have those questions answered before you move to the next stage of experimentation. If you are dealing with human beings, you will need to back up your observations with statistics and strong data. The next stage is your analysis; as you can see, we return to stage one, being curious and creative. The difference is that now you have more information, you have ensured you followed credible sources, and you have sufficient data and evidence to propose your argument to the public. Anyone can do it; kids do it all the time. They observe, identify patterns, consider possible outcomes, experiment, and then assess the results. Depending on these outcomes, they will either adopt the same methodology moving forward or adjust it. Then they have an annoying adult shaming them for doing science and being curious, and we tell them they are not smart enough to learn "hard" sciences or art. But that's how science works.
My final point serves as a wake-up call regarding the use of AI as a reliable source. I won't tell you not to use it; I'm sure some creative and great applications take advantage of new technologies. However, we are getting closer to homogenizing ideas instead of fostering our creativity. Be aware that some key players are using these technologies to manipulate more people, through deep-fake videos, extortion phone calls using realistic voices, and even fake scandals that appear genuine. We need critical thinking more than ever before; we must remain skeptical and protect our personal data. Perception may be stronger than reality nowadays. It is no secret that I am a Battlestar Galactica nerd, that's my bias; I have even written papers about space evolution and politics because I was so inspired by this 1970s show. However, science fiction is now a reality.
For those who are missing out, Battlestar Galactica (BSG) is a show about deception, with AI essentially manipulating humanity to the brink of extinction. Some humans survive, but they are being chased by Cylons (AI) in space. At some point, humans don't even know where they come from, while I would love to talk about BSG for hours because the more I live, the more my life feels like I'm in a crossover episode of Seinfeld and Battlestar Galactica. However, I want to return to deception. René Descartes employs the concept of an "evil demon" to imagine a powerful and malevolent entity whose sole purpose is to deceive, causing humans to doubt fundamental truths about the world and their own existence, just like in BSG. While Descartes uses "Evil demon" more as a tool to push skepticism to its limits, the same logic applies to modern AI applications. I would invite us to doubt what we read and see, whether it comes from The View, CNN, Fox News or ChatGPT, especially when it is making you doubt life itself. After all, Descartes understood that while knowing this "evil demon" was a nonstop deception machine, the very act of thinking about being deceived proves one's own existence as a thinking being: "I think, therefore I am," also a great line in a Billie Eilish song. Who can be trusted when your enemy looks, sounds, and feels like you? When truth, memory, and identity can be fabricated and manipulated, we need to start questioning power more than ever, a premise of our republic insured by the First Amendment; we have the right to hold people accountable and to ask questions; it is not disrespectful, it is not illegal or treason, it is our moral obligation as citizens, but we need to elevate our arguments and ask the right questions, it shouldn't be a back-and-forth fallacies battle, but a courteous, strong and smart debate, no matter how complex the subject is, that is the republic we inherited from the 1776 revolution.
I wish I could say that we should all learn new things right now, that it's easy to grab your phone and start a Duolingo or Coursera session. Still, most of us are exhausted from work and daily tasks, overwhelmed by news and even car rage, as well as debt and the general challenges of being a non-billionaire adult. This is why we should demand free access to public education. It can promote skepticism over blind acceptance and ensure that citizens identify logical fallacies, contradictions, and emotional manipulation. Education teaches people how to think, not just what to think. It can reduce our susceptibility to fall into conspiracy theories and pseudoscience, and to protect our republic, education can defend the ethical frameworks that keep us away from authoritarianism and ideological deceit. Deception thrives where curiosity is punished and questioning is feared. In Battlestar Galactica, those who survive the deception of drones and politicians are those who read, reflect, and think critically, using philosophy and history as reference literature.
Whatever you decide to become or be, I invite you to consider this: you and all of us should have the right to receive quality education. Knowledge is not just for the elite, and thinking critically is no longer optional. It is our moral obligation to ensure access to public education for new generations; they should have the right to think and question our actions. It is up to us to stand up against systems that profit from confusion and deception. It should be a civil right that is symbiotic to the labor movement; we know that to learn, we must eat well and we must sleep eight hours, hence the importance of "eight hours for work, eight hours for rest, and eight hours for what we will" for those in school, all the way to college, work should really be about working on your math skills, your essays, socializing and researching, it should cover time to get into good internships and trades too.
The truth may be complex, but critical thinking is a skill that keeps us free; it can revitalize and even reinvent our foreign policy and domestic political strategies, the way we address climate change, how we understand and defend our retirement and health, we can even see punishment and justice from a more humane angle. Nobody should force anyone to go to college, but nobody should be forced to choose between college or surviving paycheck-to-paycheck. If we want a future where truth, art, and possibilities outweigh manipulation and fear, then free, critical, and collective education must be reclaimed as our most powerful form of resistance.