chapter 2 end of average

What is a "human unit" referred to in this chapter

• A mere statistic, an average worker

• An unstoppable human

• A motivated worker

Who is Frederick Winslow Taylor and what is his importance within this chapter?

• He was a magician

• He advocated business models to work for efficiency instead of creativity and played a huge part in creating and enforcing the idea of the "average worker"

• He believed in the power of people and advocated for the importance of individuality

How did Taylor explain the relationship between workers and managers

• "In our scheme, we do not ask for the initiative of our men. We do no want any initiative. All we want of them is to obey the orders we give them, do what we say, and do it quick"

• "In our scheme, we want men to take initiative and go beyond what they are asked to do. We want to see creativity within our workers. We strive to be a company filled with people who are both motivated and driven"

Why was it easy to convince managers that individuality did not matter?

• It made their job easier and more secure

• They felt apart of something

• People went against what Taylor was saying and did not agree with the above statement

What is a brief description of Taylorism?

• A plan that inspires workers to bring their own strengths to their jobs

• The idea that individuality of the employee does not matter

Why were school bells introduced?

• To emulate factory bells, in order to mentally prepare children for their future careers

• A fun sound to signify the next class

• To try and incorporate music into school

In 1924, the American Journalist H. L. Mencken summarized what about the state of the US educational system?

• "The public education system is designed to inspire children and make them into people who can think for themselves and chase their dreams"

• "The aim of public education is not to spread enlightenment at all; it is simply to reduce as many individuals as possible to the same level, to breed and train a standardized citizenry, to put down dissent and originality."

• "Public education was designed to breed and train critical thinkers that want to grow up to be doctors, lawyers, politicians, teachers, and whatever their hearts desire"

Can you think of a time within public education in America where you felt that your creativity and individuality was squashed?