Coronavirus changes both people and the world. We are witnessing fundamental social transformations, the unthinkable becomes mundane.
For example, the question of the digitalization of the state and society sounds in a completely new way. Until recently, digitalization was considered an extremely convenient tool. The truth of this approach has not been questioned. It is convenient to pay a fine at a distance, do not stand in line for help, buy tickets for a cultural event or transport.
Now the situation has changed. Let us examine the example of distance learning, which today faced all the citizens of Russia who have children of school or student age.
First, we note elementary technical difficulties. In many families, not one child, but two or three children, but one computer. At the same time, online classes go simultaneously. We have to choose which of the children will study, and which - to wait in line.
In addition, many children are not able to learn the material themselves. In any case, parents will have to assume the function of teacher. Despite the fact that the majority also has their own ordinary work and household work. It turns out that remotely teaching several children at school is a practically impossible task.
Students are not easier. It took only two weeks of distance learning, and now young people are asking for live communication with the teacher and fellow students.
But there is a more serious problem. In many universities, as a friend of the professor says, today teachers are forced to sign documents according to which all copyrights to lectures go to the university.
So why, one asks, to the university, after the course of lectures has been read and written, to contain these unpleasant teachers with their own views and opinions on various issues? After all, they need to talk, negotiate, pay a salary.
Why all these "unnecessary costs"? People in general are enormous costs, which is why Western civilization has gradually replaced people with machines in various industries. Looks like we got to teaching.
When this “beautiful” model will be embodied everywhere and everywhere, according to which the teacher writes down his lecture course and then walks through the forest, where, one wonders, will the new scientists come from who are ready to do science? Who will create new courses and training programs if they have to do this as co-workers - from “hack” to “hack”?
Do we want this for domestic education? Did they mock him a little at a time when the concept of education as a service was promoted? When did a teacher from a teacher and a mentor actually turn into a waiter, with an attitude to him?
Distance learning is a surrogate. A form with the content of which there are very serious problems.
Education is exclusively a process of live interaction, exchange of experience, remarks, non-verbal communication, behind-the-scenes conversations, all the chemistry of human relationships that creates not a machine, but an image. The image of a man with a capital letter.
Have you ever been to European cathedrals? Then they noticed for sure that in many of them, instead of ordinary wax candles, it is now proposed to light an LED bulb? It is advisable, someone will say. Saving. Security. Ecology. And it’s hard for me to explain the vague feeling that gives me the appearance of an LED candle in the temple, but I definitely realize: there is something fake in this, some kind of deception, illusion, surrogate.
Even today's Europeans have come up with a system in which the heat generated by crematoriums is used to heat homes - again, it is very practical and environmentally friendly. They will convert empty churches into art galleries and offices. No, not because the old, damned world is being destroyed and a new one is being built. Just also for reasons of expediency. Even in some countries, euthanasia is allowed, because it is impractical to spend money on maintaining the life of a person who is terminally ill.
It seems to me alone that there is something demonic in this all?
Today, when as a result of the global crisis that has covered the world, we are forced to rapidly test the latest technologies, we must make the right conclusions in time so as not to make irreversible mistakes. It is still in our hands.
There is safety in numbers. Sitting at home alone, studying, working, eating and drinking. Is it possible to accomplish something great and create something unsurpassed in such conditions? When there is no team, people, unified spirit, but there are separate shallow interests of each individual self-isolated individual? I’m sure not.
So thanks to fate for the test that it sent to our heads. Many problems escalated, and questions became apparent. Hopefully, we will draw the right conclusions and not make obvious mistakes. The choice is ours.
The author’s point of view may not coincide with the position of the publisher.