Introducer: ... John Holt's work.~
I'm sure that you have read
"How Children Learn,"~
"How Children Fail," "
Teach Your Own."~
You may have had
an opportunity to see,
lots of times on tour,
him talking on television or on the radio,
John Holt, who's probably the best-known,
most vocal commentator on unschooling,
and particularly home-based education,
in the country right now.~
Also, I understand he's
a magnificent cello player.~
So maybe some germane questions about that
would be refreshing and useful, as well.~
Here's John Holt.~
[Applause]~
John Holt: Well,
thanks very much.~
First of all, we have to delete
that "magnificent" part.~ [Laughter]
Someday maybe,
but not yet.~
How many people still remember those instructions
about how to get to this – ? [Laughter]~
We'll have a run through again
after the meeting, I think. Laughter]~
We were talking about parking,
and something popped into my head.~
I was tempted to interrupt and say it,
but I didn't, but I'll say it now.~
What popped in was, "Parking
is such sweet sorrow." [Laughter]~
Well, thank you for coming.~
Thank you for inviting me.~
It's nice to be here.~
I said I was
surprised to see,
among a number of
good friends of mine,
a friend that I really didn't
expect to see here.
And I think he probably wins the long- distance
attendance record for this meeting.~
Now, I'm John Holt from Boston,
but I'd like you to see
John Boston from Escondido,
which happens to be
near San Diego.~
I couldn't believe he was
here for this meeting.~
Just wave your hand
or say hi.~ [Laughter]
John Boston: Hi.~
[Applause]
John Holt: I want to talk about
a number of things tonight.~
And first of all,
although I'm probably saying things
that you've heard me say before or read –
This young man has the right idea
about how to dress for this meeting.~
Oh, I guess, before I get into what
you might call the body of this formal address,
I want to ask just a few questions
to locate the audience.~
And perhaps one way to start
would be by saying,
how many of you - I'm asking here
for a "show of hands" response.~
I wonder if we could
remove that rattle.~