Comments on: Learning Mega-Study: Needs Focus?

By: Bert Sperling

Bert Sperling — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 15:41:48 +0000

Hi Dru,
No, I know of nothing comparable in the U.S. to rank communities or even states. It would certainly be a great resource.
Best, Bert

By: Dru Frykberg

Dru Frykberg — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 13:41:45 +0000

Is there something comparable to this that attempts to rank U.S. states based on life-long learning?

By: Bert Sperling

Bert Sperling — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 01:10:21 +0000

> more open and enthusiastic about partaking of cultural activities in the smaller towns merely because their offerings were always convenient

Good point. Sometimes I think we all get paralyzed when we get confronted by overwhelming numbers of choices. If you haven’t already, I suggest checking out “The Paradox of Choice” by Barry Schwartz. There are some good presentations of his on YouTube.

I like suburbs, in conjunction with the nearby city and metro area of course. You can have a more relaxed lifestyle, while enjoying the resources of the area. The big downside is the cost (time and monetary) of getting to and from the amenities, but at least they are available, and that’s a huge benefit.

Best, Bert

By: Elizabeth M

Elizabeth M — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 16:19:05 +0000

I completely agree that the quality of the resources should be measured in some way as well. I live outside of D.C. now where the offerings for learning are obviously plentiful and are of a high quality. I have also lived in very small towns where, for that town, the offerings were also plentiful… but of a slightly lower quality. However, much of it is what you do with what you have in front of you. I will say that I was more open and enthusiastic about partaking of cultural activities in the smaller towns merely because their offerings were always convenient to where I lived and you took what you could get when it was offered. Guess I’m a suburb snob now, picking and choosing my cultural outings more carefully… and, as a result, more infrequently.