Hacking the School System

by Behawolf

When I was a kid, I used to believe teachers were always right.

Like a computer following a program, I assumed the person giving the instructions knew what they were doing.  I thought just so long as I worked hard, and followed all the rules, I would be O.K.  Alas, this has proved to be far from true.  So here is what I wish I had known.

Before we can hack any system, we need to understand it.

The school system was introduced in response to the industrial revolution, by governments.  This was not done out of the goodness of their little hearts, but as a way to train children for the industrial workforce.  As in the factory system, fear was the main means of control.

The main purpose was to instill obedience into the child.

Thus, learning requires passivity from the student, and getting used to doing repetitive and menial tasks for minimal pay, just as it is today.  These qualities might be necessary for the school system, but will be a complete hindrance to you for the rest of your life in whatever you decide to do.  Unless of course you want to be stuck in a dead end job.

Capitalism is a tough environment, with everyone trying to sell you something, regardless of whether you want it or not, regardless of whether you need it or not.  But we've all got to pay the rent.  So, there is no shame in wanting to make a better life for yourself, especially if you are living in an environment that is physically or mentally harmful to you.  I'm with you bro.

So, assuming you can't persuade your parents of the benefits of home education, how can we hack the school system and make it work for you?  Since I am writing for kids like you all over the world, I am only able to give you general advice.

If you can't get off the school premises, then try and find a safe place within the building.  You may want to consult some texts on urban exploration for this.  Think creatively - maybe there are some air ducts you can squeeze into.

Don't forget a torch for reading, some spare batteries, and something comfortable to lie on.  Be careful not to get lost or stuck in there if you decide to go exploring.  Or what about a locked door you can pick, or get the key to?  Maybe you can "borrow" the key and get a copy made or, if you're lucky, maybe it's a generic key you can buy from a key shop.

Wherever you go, make sure you are not followed.  Don't get careless.  If no one will mind you being there, just spend all your free time in the school library.  The important thing is that you are safe from teachers and bullies.

If you want access to information and computers for an affordable price, go to your local library.  If they haven't got the book you want, then they should be able to order it in from another library, possibly for a small fee.  If you want to highlight in the book for future reference, it might be worth buying it.

Note, computer books tend to date very quickly - although books about programming languages and UNIX-based commands, less so.  If you want to figure out how people's emotions work, read literary fiction.

Don't do homework unless you really want to.

The only time you need to do work at home is if you have course work that will count towards your final exam.  I leave it up to you, dear reader, to decide whether you want to worry about any end-of-year exams.  Ultimately, the only thing that counts is if you get any qualification for the exam you are doing.  Employers like qualifications, so try to get some from school if you can.

If people start hassling you for not doing enough work, demand payment, and don't do any work until you get some money.  Pay negotiation is a key survival skill for adult life.  If they do pay up, you can then use some of this money to help fund your further education, be that another course after you leave school, or books that you want to read now.

School sport is merely an excuse for the bigger boys to hurt you through physical violence.

So, unless you are one of the bigger boys or girls, skive off it.  Have you ever noticed how the sports teacher gives everyone the orders to run about like headless chickens, while they stand there doing sweet FA?  Eating healthily, with a little exercise each day, will be much better for you than school sport.  A brisk walk for ten minutes should do it.

One mistake I didn't make was to take up smoking.  Smoking is the work of (((The Man))).  They get you addicted so you have to keep spending money to buy a product that will slowly kill you.  Stick it to (((The Man))).  Don't smoke.

Be wary of any religion they try to instill/brainwash you with.

In my experience, this is an attempt to keep you in fear.  It makes it easier for those in power to manipulate you.  They do this by making you feel guilty for having basic human emotions.  It is essential to rebel against the idea that one should stoically take whatever life throws at you, as God will look after you.

It is not virtuous to become a victim, no matter how many religious stories they tell you, implying God will bail out the meek.  So you don't have to be nice to nasty people.  Standing up for yourself does not make you a bad person.

If all of this sounds like the bitter rantings of a Generation X'er, then perhaps it is.  But this is what I have learned.

Now you have more free time and you have the space to work things out for yourself, at your own pace.  I would recommend you go over anything you have not understood in class.

Then you can study what you are interested in, be that the sea, or C++, Python, or philosophy, Linux, or Tantric sex.

I hope this proves useful to you.

Best of luck!