NBC: Nurturers Of Ignorance

Wow, talk about an epic fail.

NBC's Education Nation's Facebook fiasco has become a sad commentary on what ails us.

There was a post by a typical Fox viewer over there who was saying things that were untrue, like tenure means a job for life, unions don't care about kids, the whole misinformed thing.

I responded to him in a comment explaining the truth.  He came back with an anecdote about something that didn't relate and I thought about him.  Then I thought about the fact that he was being read by NBC News.  I then left a comment saying NBC should read what this guy is saying and respond and set the record straight with some actual facts. I mean, if they are going to be a "news" organization they ought to spread the news, right?  And what better evidence their news-spreading talents were needed than that guy's comments.

Well, the poor guy took his post down, along with the comments, and sent me an email claiming he is not a country bumpkin. He was not too convincing. That's not fair of me. But he didn't indicate he was better informed than I had thought.

So here we have NBC News putting on a massive education summit where the uber-rich oligarchs that run the world will sell their bullshit to an ignorant public they are only to happy to keep ignorant.

Two words for you, NBC: Epic Fail

Education Nation: The Controversy: Updated

Anthony Cody, Gary Stager and I, among others were banned from Education Nation's Facebook page.

As a result I created Miseducation Nation to counter the one-sided perspective being pushed by NBC, Oprah and Waiting For Superman.

The admin of their page asked to talk to me about the banning and about my counter-page.  He called me tonight and we talked for a long time about the need for teachers to be an integral part of the conversation, especially since they have, by actions, made it clear that they think teachers are the problem.

He told me he didn't want it to seem that way and that they (NBC news) are not biased. I told him bias is as bias does, and they're pumping out pretty biased crap!  It was then quiet for a minute.

I told him, since he asked, that I would not take down my Miseducation Nation page. I told him if I see evidence that Education Nation is making their production more level--by un-banning all of us and letting us post as we choose, even if others complain--would prompt me to say something about that on Miseducation Nation.

Were you banned?  Leave a comment and I will see what I can do.

We shall see.

Update: Anthony, Gary and I are back, and Education Nation has set their wall default to show every post.  Good for them!