Do you want to know what's wrong with education today? I know. Recently, I had an opportunity to return to class with a bunch of high schoolers, some 40 years after my own graduation. Now more observer than participant, it all became clear. It's not poor teachers, old books, bad facilities, or any of the other things we blamed when we were students. No it isn't. The problem is with the students. Let me explain.
My son recently got his first car and first license. Do you know what insurance costs for a young male? If not, you don't want to. I asked the agent if there was anything I could do to reduce the cost. One suggestion was that he take a drug and alcohol awareness program. That would save him 5%. Then, she added, "you too can save 5% by taking the course." The course is given in two-hour sessions, over three days. Well, I was going to have to drive him to class, and probably sit around for the two hours anyway, so why not join in and save the 5%? The manager warned me that they did not have any sessions specifically for older drivers, so I would primarily be in class with younger people, but that I would still earn my discount. So I signed up.
Let me tell you, they weren't kidding about it being a class of younger people. My son was the second oldest student in the class, and I've got 40 years on him. This was a class of high school students, one college student, and one geezer. For three days, I reported to class, and observed the behavior and interactions between my fellow students, and came away understanding why they aren't learning anything in school.
The course was for the most part what I expected. The instructor long ago realized you can't make kids do anything. Telling them they shouldn't drink and drive or do drugs and drive is as likely to be counterproductive as successful. Not even movies about or other explanations of the terrible consequences of drunken driving was likely to move them. So he approached the course as informational. He essentially told the kids he couldn't make them do anything, so instead he would just present the data. What, if anything they did with it, he explained, was up to them. All he could do was present the facts.
Speaking aside to me before class, he explained he would be happy if someone, just one, of these kids was affected by what he taught. He was resigned to the fact that it might impact no one. As he explained, those who are concerned about the dangers aren't going to drink and drive. Those who aren't concerned, or lack the self-discipline to resist the pressures that lead them to drink and drive, will continue to do so anyway. Effectively, these kids would spend six hours ignoring what was said in the classroom and then go about doing what they were going to do anyway. They were only there to save 5%, and once they put in their time, they would get that certificate which entitled them to a discount. All else would be forgotten.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Letter Signed ("Martinus Luther") to His Friend the Theologian Gerhard Wiskamp ("Gerardo Xantho Lampadario"). $100,000 - $150,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: An Exceptionally Fine Copy of Austenís Emma: A Novel in Three Volumes. $40,000 - $60,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Presentation Copy of Ernest Hemmingwayís A Farewell to Arms for Edward Titus of the Black Mankin Press. $30,000 - $50,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Manuscript Signed Integrally for "The Songs of Pooh," by Alan Alexander. $30,000 - $50,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Manuscript of "Three Fragments from Gˆtterd‰mmerung" by Richard Wagner. $30,000 - $50,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Original Preliminary Artwork, for the First Edition of Snow Crash. $20,000 - $30,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Letter Signed ("T.R. Malthus") to Economist Nassau Senior on Wealth, Labor and Adam Smith. $20,000 - $30,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: History of the Peloponnesian War by Thucydides Finely Bound by Michael Wilcox. $20,000 - $30,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: First Edition of Lewis and Clark: Travels to the Source of the Missouri River and Across the American Continent to the Pacific Ocean. $8,000 - $12,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Original Artwork for the First Edition of Neal Stephenson's Groundbreaking Novel Snow Crash. $100,000 - $150,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: A Complete Set Signed Deluxe Editions of King's The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King. $8,000 - $12,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Letter Signed ("John Adams") to James Le Ray de Chaumont During the Crucial Years of the Revolutionary War. $8,000 - $12,000.
Sotheby’s Book Week December 9-17, 2025
Sotheby’s, Dec. 12: Hooke, Robert. Micrographia: or some Physiological Descriptions of Minute Bodies made by Magnifying Glasses. London: James Allestry for the Royal Society, 1667. $12,000 to $15,000.
Sotheby’s, Dec. 12: Chappuzeau, Samuel. The history of jewels, first edition in English. London: T.N. for Hobart Kemp, 1671. $12,000 to $18,000.
Sotheby’s, Dec. 12: Sowerby, James. Exotic Mineralogy, containing his most realistic mineral depictions, London: Benjamin Meredith, 1811, Arding and Merrett, 1817. $5,000 to $7,000.
Heritage Auctions Rare Books Signature Auction December 15, 2025
Heritage, Dec. 15: John Donne. Poems, By J. D. With Elegies on the Author's Death. London: M[iles]. F[lesher]. for John Marriot, 1633.
Heritage, Dec. 15: Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
Heritage, Dec. 15: F. Scott Fitzgerald. Tender is the Night. A Romance.
Heritage, Dec. 15: Jerry Thomas. How to Mix Drinks, or the Bon-Vivant's Companion, Containing Clear and Reliable Directions for Mixing All the Beverages Used in the United States…
![<b>Heritage, Dec. 15:</b> John Donne. <i>Poems, By J. D. With Elegies on the Author's Death.</i> London: M[iles]. F[lesher]. for John Marriot, 1633.](https://ae-files.s3.amazonaws.com/AdvertisementPhotos/8caddaea-4c1f-47a7-9455-62f53af36e3f.jpg "<b>Heritage, Dec. 15:</b> John Donne. <i>Poems, By J. D. With Elegies on the Author's Death.</i> London: M[iles]. F[lesher]. for John Marriot, 1633.")
