Posted by Gunnar Jarl, Minister of Unschooling on April 05, 1997 at 03:22:24:
In Reply to: Observera mera! posted by Greve Carl von Johansson on April 01, 1997 at 18:15:47:
Brief english summary:
Count Carl von Johansson wrote to me and suggested that
we start a school of observation. He thinks that people
in common do not observe much though it is a natural
occupation of his own. He also outlines a vague idea
about how a school of observation could be worked out
on the internet. Finally he stress the fact that by
observation he does not only mean the kind of observation
of reading texts and other peoples minds that is the only
quality of observation possible via the internet but also the
observation of sounds etc. from the close surroundings.
Since the ministry of unschooling advices against institutional
schools as major shapers of conformity of thought a school of
observation will not be started on the initiative of the
ministry. Nevertheless Count Carl is now listed as potential
teacher (and learner?) in observation in the Academy of
Learning and Teaching.
To begin with Count Carl may want to be specific about what
he means by observation. According to a swedish dictionary
on foreign words (in the swedish language) observation
originates from the latin word observare made up of the
prefix ob- and the verb servare. If you check out the
translation of these two words at http://scanner.archives.nd.edu/cgi-bin/words.exe
you may get a bit confused on the original latin meaning
of the compound word observare. The corresponding swedish
word would be iakttaga, which means heed. Combining the
swedish with the english translations I think brings us
closer to the original meaning of observare. I would say
it means to actively and with devotion take in something.
In observance that time rushes off (Good Heavens! It's morning already!)
Gunnar Jarl