When we separate the hands from learning as we have done in American schools, the consequences are two fold. First we create an academic elite with little knowledge or confidence in the workings of the world, whether we are talking about complex technical devices, or simple household maintenance and repair. These weary souls are deprived of the confidence and motivation to apply their intelligence toward physical creativity while they steadfastly maintain delusions of intellectual and cultural superiority.

The other side of the equation is equally disastrous. We create a class of workers who have little or no confidence or curiosity for examining complex issues. Whether we are talking about politics, science, economics or world affairs, we have created a large social class incapable of taking part in meaningful discussion on subjects essential to the survival of human culture.

All this can be fixed. It is a do-it-yourself project.