The Washington herald., 1921-08-07
The Edison Questionnaires.

sons questionnares and the occasion of his
criticism of the public school system. He ex-
plains it all in a recent interview in the New York
World, along with his own theory of what should
be the end and aim of school education. He exalts
memory, placing retentive and exact memory the
ability to marshall facts, making the mind store
house of information the essential which will
embrace all other attainments.
He starts with this statement:
Atrophy of perception afflicts America to-
day The eye sees, but no message goes from
e, IT to the brain. Despite unquestioned vision of
the fact there is no sensing of it by the indi-
Vidual before whom it is placed. 1t secs physic-
ally but not mentally.
Following this he says that he has found the
best qualification for those in his employment is
"a fine memofy." What passes before mans
eyes does not help him unless stored where it can
be used on call. He his questionnaires, which
designed not to test information, but the
ability to retain it,, to select for him the posses
sors of comprehending and retentive minds. =
There is no way whereby may be judged save
by finding out how much and what they know, and
especially their capacity for learning-memory."
Starting with what he wants in his own indus
tries, he turns to the schools with the statement
at seems that youth is no longer expected to
acquire knowledge, through education, but through
education to acquire the ability to acquire knowl-
edge of the process of life surrounding him after
the ending of school days" He contends that
young men cannot think efficiently unless they
have facts in their minds ready serve as the basis
of their thinking" Experts must not have to "hy
10 Libraries every time they required to pass on
anything" So Mr.. Edison asks applicants, Who
wasthe wife of Napoleon Ill? and long list of
similar questions, the answers to which all in
their school courses of study, and ranks them
cordng to their answers, and condemns the schools
in proportion to the lack of what is purely and
solely detached information and no help whatever
to thinking.
He should and undoubtedly does, know best
the kind of mental equipment thatis desirable
4. and brings the best results in his business He
believes he has the way to find that sort of mental
equipment. He probably himself has one of those
uneanny, devilish memories which are vexation
of spirit to many others, who helpless in their
presence if unfortihed by an encyclopedia. He
seeks human cisterns with automatic pump attach
ments. So far he. is concerned students, plod-
ders, thinkers, diggers outcasts. The analy-
tcal mind is not in his category
The public schools and colleges have their
faults, but most people will be thankful that public
education is not based upon Mr.. Edison's memory
theory. The man who depends upon his memory is
apt to live in the past and not be a thinker Mem
ory docs not originate. 1t is drag rather than in
centive to initiative 1t is not creator, is it
a companion of imagination. Memory did not bring
Mr. Edison his and born with it, he has cul
tivated it, until probably, he may be unreasonable
in its exaltation.
Moreover there is than kind Of
memory. A person may find it impossible to retain
exact facts, yet have firm grasp on principles.
He may be unable to recall dates, names, events
Mr.. Edison requires, yet have a wonderful ability
to corrcate wholly different kind Of information
to an instant conclusion. This is what lawyer
does in a "hrst-aid" opinion, if he gives ono. He
always goes to his books for confirmation. Mem
ory is not reasoner; it is conclusion. 1t is not
the ability to think; it is knowing without thinking
and at best is falIible. And, too, is there such
thing as seeing physically, but not mentally?
Mr.. Edison knows what he wants; it is his
job to get it. But the schools have broader field
to FIJI, and, If not plagued by memory which fire.
quently exaggerates in comparison, he would know
there other demands than his and other kinds
of minds than those fitted for his employment
This is big world of diverse affairs and while he
fills large part Of large part that part is not all
of human endeavor, and human requirement
Iioyd George NAV MAXI Lord NortbrHs