Social Study Responsibly
I got a teaching certification many years ago in Social Studies. The problem I had was I never was able to get in at any of the districts in my area. I could have moved I suppose but really I have family, a home and things were okay so after nearly ten years I gave up on it. The problem I always ran into was if you are a Social Studies teacher and not a sports guy or a “coach” then you weren’t going to get in. Maybe it’s different elsewhere but out here in the rural Midwest that’s how it is. The common term in these parts is “jock” – if you’ve heard the term you know what it is. If not look it up.
My gut tells me that this is probably the same in the other parts of the country - I haven’t talked to other teachers from other parts of the US though. The problem as I see it – particularly with the Social Science/Social Studies area is that this mindset of team sport and the us versus them mindset is it ultimately filters down to our politics. I would say that perhaps social sciences in general are the most important in society and this is no exception in today’s world. We have placed so much value on “STEM” (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) that we have lost sight of the human portion.
I will give you an example with respect to AI here in 2025. There are literally billions and billions of dollars being invested in GPUs – the hardware needed for artificial intelligence. Massive data centers are being built which will consume huge amounts of power. People around the country are beginning to feel it in their electric bills. Power plants are being built just for these data centers, CEOs who are developing these things are already warning of the massive job losses, energy cost increases for the average consumer and global environmental impact.
Microsoft in a bid to try and reduce their carbon footprint is buying huge volumes of farm and human excrement to try and offset the impact they are having. In the mean time this country boy is sitting here looking at all of this and just shaking his head. Do I believe that AI will have an impact in how we live? Yes. Do I think we are going to use it in all areas of our life? Many but not all. Do I think it has it’s applications? Yes, but I’m not convinced that the amount of money being pumped into this makes sense. I think in a lot of ways it’s some kind of weird party trick for some people and if you don’t believe me go look at Facebook.
AI will change lives but I don’t believe we even know what to do with it. I have seen code, beautifully written that doesn’t work. I have seen money and energy spent with little thought as to why other than it’s AI – companies barreling headlong into something that may ultimately end in ruin. Going back to my Microsoft example what if instead of investing billions in poop to pump 1 mile underground hoping the methane won’t be an issue we think radically. What if we took that money and invested it in people who need it. What if the money was spent on low income people – people I know who are my friends and family? Think of the potential. What if Microsoft spent money to help low income people get more efficient furnaces for their home or better weather proofing? How about assistance for more efficient vehicles for these same groups? I could keep going. My point is if they spent that money on people it would make the lives of others better, it’s good publicity and ultimately make more customers. Over 100 years ago Henry Ford knew if you invested in your people, educated them and paid them well you not only have good workers, customers and make a positive impact on your community. I’m not real sure how a guy with no computer knew that and yet today with all of this AI and “tech bros” so much smarter than Ford don’t get that.
Which brings me back to why ultimately social science in school is the most important subject. Social Studies, history, government and other high school subjects are special and must NOT be brushed off as something that we can be indifferent about. Those subjects are the story of humanity – who we were, who we are, and who we are destined to become. It takes the STEM subjects and adds a moral compass that is seriously lacking in these times. STEM is the tool, social sciences put them together to see what good we can do for our society. I live in the States, I believe that a person has a right to make as much money as they want. In exchange for that ability to be incredibly rich however comes responsibility. That means something is owed to the people in society that allow for that success. Henry Ford, even with all of his faults knew that.
The story of humanity is bigger than you, me or a hand full of billionaires. What story will we tell and what will leave our children?
Peace Always,
Lester