Dyslexia screenings will help students succeed

 http://www.semissourian.com/story/2320028.html

I think the title of this article is very interesting. I like how positive and optimistic it sounds. And I like the attitude adopted by the education authorities here. It is not just about screening, but also involves providing at least partial aid to those who are found to be dyslexic. I'm sure it is not the final answer to the problem. It might not even be a right answer, but at least they are doing something.
I am inclined to think that the real answer will require some kind of basic changes to the way we think about education; maybe some way to provide alternative routes through the curriculum; maybe an even more basic change in the contents of the curriculum.
I remember once listening to a lecturer in Liverpool who said that those with dyslexia would probably be seen as geniuses in some future where technology reduced the dependence on text for the transfer of knowledge and information. He also made the point that reading was a rare skill in the middle ages and that dyslexia would not have been such a barrier then.

Reading Too Much Into It?

I am inclined to spend too much time reading. So, as well as all the fiction I am reading at the moment (mostly fantasy), I am also reading "The Uses Of Enchantment" by Bruno Bettelheim, "How Life Imitates Chess" by Gary Kaparov, and "The Shadow Of The Object" by Christopher Bollas.  I have also just picked up a copy of "The Hero With A Thousand Faces" by Joseph Campbell, but have not started that one yet.

I think it is interesting how certain ideas and themes can repeat themselves in slightly different ways in these books. At the moment, the idea that seems to be jumping out at me is the need for careful reflection and self-awareness if we are to grow and mature in any way. Kasparov emphasises this a lot in his book. He does not believe that there is a formula for success that will apply to everyone (beyond the idea of hard work and self-awareness - and that he says is not a formula). Bettelheim also feels that people have a tendency to assume that age will bring maturity and wisdom. But, without reflection and an intention to improve ourselves in some way, that will just make us older versions of our younger selves, with the same weaknesses, preferences and habits.

And I think this is partly why I started out with this blog. I wanted to get into the habit of thinking and writing about life - my life, in particular - and I wanted to do something a bit different to my usual diary or journal writing, which seems to have gotten into a repetitive rut for now.

The Uses of Fairy Tales

I have just started reading "The Uses Of Enchantment" by Bruno Bettelheim. It has some really interesting ideas already, and some really complicated ones also. But what struck me today is an article I came across on phys.org where a recent study found that most fairy tales have a much longer history than previously believed. One story in particular, "The Smith & The Devil" can be traced back to the bronze age.
http://phys.org/news/2016-01-phylogenetic-analyses-fairy-tales-older.html