Episode 169: On Creative Tension (and a little about college football helmets)

The two estimable hosts, after a detour of a survey that highlighted the best college football helmets, tackle the subject of creative tension. Starting with some of the greatest jazz groups and their work, the hosts debate whether tension among bandmates is essential for each to be at their best. The hosts then attempt to broaden this concept not only to other types of music but any form of collaboration - in industry or in education. What does it mean to lead a group of people, managing personalities, conflict and attempt to reach the best of what they can do? The hosts address all of these issues in what is certainly an episode worth listening to.

What is The Old School?

Dr. Steven Bourgeois and Mr. Ross Miller lead an informal discussion between a current and a former teacher on topics that challenge "best practices" in contemporary education. In keeping with Neil Postman (1979), we support the conserving function of education: “Its aim at all times is to make visible the prevailing biases of a culture and then, by employing whatever philosophies of education are available, to oppose them.”