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.~