Anyone who has ever been on a hike, inebriated late at night, or refreshed early in the morning can tell you that the best conversations cannot be forced. When the air is fresh, the senses focused, the mood right – only at such times will the Muse begin her song. Classrooms are ill-suited for genuine, in-depth conversations.

This article is not about the shortcomings of any system of education. For now, I accept that broad-scale education cannot be as inspiring as a walk through the woods or a twilight dialogue. But it can be better than it is right now.

Photo by Jim in Times Square

Is learning specific information (facts: dates, names, locations, etc.) as important today for the “Google Generation” as it was before such information was so easily accessible?

Ashish sent me a link to this Civic Literacy Exam:

http://www.americancivicliteracy.org/resources/quiz.aspx

I think it’s a lot better than others I’ve taken. Feel free to post your score in the comments. I got an 85%.