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  • Dumbing Us Down

  • The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling
  • By: John Taylor Gatto
  • Narrated by: Michael Puttonen
  • Length: 3 hrs and 19 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (81 ratings)
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Dumbing Us Down cover art

Dumbing Us Down

By: John Taylor Gatto
Narrated by: Michael Puttonen
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Summary

Thirty years in New York City's public schools led John Gatto to the sad conclusion that compulsory schooling does little but teach young people to follow orders like cogs in an industrial machine. With over 100,000 copies in print since its original publication in 2002, this book is collection of essays and speeches and contains a description of the wide-spread impact of the book and Gatto's "guerrilla teaching".

About the author: John Gatto was a teacher in New York City's public schools for over 30 years and is a recipient of the New York State Teacher of the Year award. A much-sought after speaker on education throughout North America, his other books include Weapons of Mass Instruction: A Schoolteacher’s Journey through the Dark World of Compulsory Schooling, A Different Kind of Teacher, and The Underground History of American Education.

©2002 John Taylor Gatto (P)2012 Post Hypnotic Press, Inc

What listeners say about Dumbing Us Down

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

The most intelligent exposé of schooling.

The "education" industry is the mental plague of the modern world. As it gets more protracted, more expensive and more centrally controlled, the bonsai people, who are it's product, become increasingly disinterested in learning anything important, and invincibly ignorant.

The proof is in the pudding. Schooling does not support individual education and becoming potent, competent, responsible adults, because it is designed to do the opposite!

Gatto doesn't confine himself to one "subject" but calls upon history, philosophy, religion, anthropology etc. to illustrate his thesis.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

An eye opener much needed for today’s society

As a parent it is our job to see multiple viewpoints that vary widely and make the best decision for our children and this book is definitely one of those must reads! Thank you for sharing your experience in the school world and explaining how it all came about and what it does.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Eye opening amazing book

Easy to listen and understand as everyone can see it’s absolutely truth about system that failing us

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The perfect title for the world today

Brilliant, eye-opener, a must-read, everyone, especially parents and teachers, should read this book. It explains so much about society today.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Observably true in 2022

Our youth are observably dumber than previous generations, completely indoctrinated with political rhetoric and radical ideology, they no longer have sense of reality. Sad times.

Education has unfortunately been replaced with indoctrination

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

If I were on the fence.....this book.

I was already sold on home school/ unschooling from reading John Holt. This book has instilled a militant realisation of the importance of that choice.
Highly recommended.

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Dumbing Us Down

This work of Mr. Gatto is eyes opening piece!
I’m sure I’ll go through this book many times over and also study his website.
It is journey which allows you to finally understand why is all so terrible wrong and shows it all starting at school where humanity get trapped in that deadly downward spiral!

Highly recommending to all ages readers.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

enlightening

highly recommended reading for educators, parents, students and anyone with a capacity to think for themselves.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Brilliant.

Just brilliant. Puts into words everything I've felt throughout my life but couldn't verbalise regarding the school system. It left me upset and angry about my own experience, but more determined than ever to give my children an entirely different life. A fantastically thought-provoking book.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Pure truth.

These are the exact frustrations I felt after graduating school. Only worded much better. Thanks.

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