Getting alternative perspectives

Here's an article encouraging children to identify "fake news".

Personally, I think it's absolutely essential for people to identify the problems in news stories (see my recent post)... we all know that reporters will twist the truth in order to get a good story and sell their paper. But in reality, we easily read things and tell our friends as if it's completely true.

But there's a little comment in the article which reads:
"He wants teenagers to look beyond the social media "echo chamber", where they might hear only views like their own."

And the very next sentence:
"Students need more places to "exchange ideas", says Mr Schleicher."

Let's think about this.

On the surface, most people will say, "Yes, absolutely!" and I will completely agree with them.

But what happens when it comes down to topics such as... homosexuality?

Because it would seem that when homosexuality is mentioned, people are free to discus it as long as they come to a certain conclusion at the end. And this 'correct conclusion' is soon to be taught in schools in the hope that no one will be able to argue with it (see my recent post).

In other words, whilst we might agree with the statements above in principle, when it gets to particular applications, some people will vehemently argue against it. In other words, the LGBT group have almost managed to make schools the very "echo chamber" of which we should steer clear.

Of course, similarly with scientists and atheists regarding the place of religion in school.