Growing up within the nerd culture that idolizes endless quotation, repetition, and reenactment of MP, I loved this early XKCD comic. It's a shame that it's the surface that gets mimicked and not the intent. I'm also not sure how this is going to bring "philosophy to schoolchildren at primary school level," although that's a noble aim. posted by Paragon at 6:13 PM on April 27, 2010
Epony!-- wait. posted by bwg at 6:19 PM on April 27, 2010
Justinian, don't be so predictable. What you should be saying is that they shouldn't be messi-ing around with this. posted by Nick Verstayne at 6:29 PM on April 27, 2010
And now for something completely different? posted by mukade at 7:38 PM on April 27, 2010
FYI, they're aren't doing it just to be like "WEEEE MONTY PYTHON." It's to raise awareness of philosophy in primary school. From the last link:
At the beginning of 2009, The Philosophy Shop launched its 'Four Rs' campaign, centred on flagging the importance of the four Rs: Reading, (W)riting, (A)rithmetic AND Reasoning. Four Rs is backed by a number of thinkers such as British philosopher AC Grayling and highlighted by Sir Jim Rose in his 2009 set of suggestions for revamping the National Curriculum.
According to Jim Rose, over and above everything else, primary schools are about instilling life long learning. Key to this: providing children with the skills to learn effectively, so “they can plan, research and critically evaluate, using reasoned arguments to support conclusions. As well as “think creatively, making original connections and generate ideas” and “consider alternative solutions to problems.” These are all skills that Philosophy excels in: critical thinking skills.
The Philosophy Shop is using 'The Philosophers' Football Match 2010' as a springboard for increasing awareness of the 'Four Rs'. posted by d1rge at 9:38 PM on April 27, 2010 [2 favorites]
I was rather hoping for the Upperclass Twit Of The Year contest instead.
We call that the election. posted by Abiezer at 10:15 PM on April 27, 2010 [8 favorites]
Shit, who's going to replace Beckenbauer? posted by chillmost at 12:29 AM on April 28, 2010
So they're going to walk around muttering to themselves for nearly the entire match, until the Greeks come up with an idea to win?
No. 22 men will walk around in circles muttering for 90 minutes, and then the Germans will win. (See Gary Linekar quote here). posted by Infinite Jest at 1:25 AM on April 28, 2010
*sigh*
Is it a universal internet rule that whenever there's a message board thread on the subject of football, at least one American must loudly proclaim how boring he finds the sport?
Anyway, it's a bit unclear to me how this is supposed to work. Is it just a charity football match with the players dressed up as German/Greek philosophers? If so, how is that going to help promote philosophy?
And Infinite Jest is correct - the Germans will win, probably in a penalty shoot out. posted by salmacis at 3:01 AM on April 28, 2010
Football is a simple game; 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans always win.
- Gary Lineker posted by charles kaapjes at 5:01 AM on April 28, 2010
posted by Meatbomb at 5:27 PM on April 27, 2010 [3 favorites]