VOL.9, No. 12
2083
NEW TYPE OF ATOMIC MODELS
A set of models, prepared as I have described, has proven very practical in illustrating t h e molecular configuration of s u c h compounds as: primary, secondary, and t e r t i a r y hydrocarbons and the corresponding alcohols, members of the ethylene and the acetylene series of hydrocarbons, aldehydes, acids, ketones, ethers, esters, s u c h geometric isomers as maleic a n d fumaric acid, such optical isomers as d-, 1-, and mesotartaric acid, a n d numerous other compounds. Models f o r the atoms of other elements are now under consideration.
THE CONSERVATION OF IGNORANCE The influences of common life tend to form and to fix the attitudes of those who grow up in it. But these iduences are not so imperious and compelling as formal education. The unschooled man may look at the world freshly, and if he has a great personality, the results may be significant. Amos, Democritus, Shakespeare, Franklin, Walt Whitman, Ford were original minds who made a difference in human affairs. Yet very few men have had their power without formal education to throw off the incubus of ignorance to great effect. Aristotle, Erasmus, Milton, Emstein surmounted the indoctrination of theschools and saw things new. Yet only powerful minds do that For most men schooling is best. It disciplines, informs, and organizes the mind: gives it possession of accumulated culture; and allows free play to some elements of individuality. As a rule little is last by this process, for most men have but limited creative capacity and serve hetter as carriers of culture than as creators of it. Yet uuiversal education tends so to intrench and fix the prevailing outlook that life may harden into a deep-set permanency, and become unable to recognize radically novel outlooks. Would it not be well to preserve ares-& of able but unschooled and unindodrinated men, equally receptive to old and new ideas?. It would be better vet if we could devise some substitute for ignorance which would equip strong individuality with the data and methods for thinkig, and yet leave the mind fresh and free for new outlooks.-Antioch Notes
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