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Jul 23, 2009

"Why is the first question most children ask. With this question we express, to the delight and chagrin of our parents, our power." --Andrea Batista Schlesinger

The Death of Why?

The phrase "knowledge is power" is a cliche in our culture. Yet as often as we hear it from others or speak it ourselves, how often have we contemplated the process of acquiring knowledge? Is there a blueprint for obtaining knowledge and wisdom? Are we encouraging children to be intellectually curious or merely teaching them that every question has an instant and obvious answer? In her book, The Death of Why?: The Decline of Questioning and the Future of Democracy New York City policy expert Andrea Batista Schlesinger explores this question.