Tuesday 14 October 2008

Saddlechariot Training.

Fear and learning are closely linked. Pain is an effective teacher, and the cane was seen as the symbol of education. My school notice boards were created from a lattice of canes as a reminder of the intellectual pretensions of the prefects. If rational explanation failed, they could hit you.

If pain is such an effective educator, why do women ever have more than one child? Because rewards are a far more effective educator. And children, however irritating, can be remarkably rewarding. So before you go out to teach your pony, or horse, or child, or even a pupil, leave the whips and canes, the boots and spurs, the bits and straps and the gloves and hard hats in the fetishist's wardrobe where they belong.

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