From 11mins into this talk I began to wonder if empathy, once understood intellectually, can become an acidic tool used to destroy others from a perceived position of friendship and understanding.  Just like a hammer, the ability to empathise is merely a tool. Neutral in that it cares not what it is used for.  Used to listen and to heal and to give hope is one thing, but used to pretend to be a consul whilst appropriating the power that comes from emotional trust is altogether another.

Check the clip and consider the motivations of Jaron Lanier in his work.  As Noam Chomsky articulates, we are in a time of huge flux and opportunity in learning that we have a choice between compliance and enlightenment.  A lot is written at the moment about finding the answers from the kids.  I agree.  But I also think we should take the time to ask the other cohort who play outside the labour market what they do for kicks. . . .the over 65 yr olds might just have a few things to say about learning beyond monetisation as much as a child will.