023 - The Argument Ninja Difference

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This episode:
This is as close to an Argument Ninja MANIFESTO as I've ever produced.
I’ve learned over the past year that I’m not the only one talking about the failings of traditional schooling. I’m not the only academic talking about developing online courses for the public that they can’t find anywhere else.
I’m not even the only one using the language of martial arts in this context (e.g. Mixed Mental Arts).
But I realize that even among my audience, it may not be clear how the Argument Ninja Academy is supposed to stand out — how it’s different from what I’m seeing in these other projects.
In this episode I talk about these differences. I talk about what makes the Argument Ninja Academy unique.
There are three areas that I can point to.
1. The first is the martial arts inspiration for this project. It goes way deeper than just borrowing the language of belt levels.
2. The second is a unique approach to teaching and learning critical thinking and persuasion skills.
3. The third is the instructional design of the project, and the team I’m assembling to help make this a reality. The skill set they bring to the Argument Ninja Academy is powerful.
Here's the breakdown:
(0:00 – 4:10) Introductory remarks. Others working outside of academia — Jordan Peterson, Thaddeus Russell, Mixed Mental Arts. What makes the Argument Ninja Academy special.
(4:10 – 8:30) My thesis: critical thinking is a martial art. The definition of a martial art.
(8:30 – 12:00) bujutsu vs budo: the complementary faces of every traditional martial art. Examples: jiu-jitsu vs judo; kenjutsu vs kendo
(12:00 – 14:00) Does training for combat always involve training in the arts of physical violence? Consider skills related to situational awareness; de-escalation; psychological operations
(14:00 – 18:34) What is the “martial context” of critical thinking?
(18:34 – 19:40) The path back: reclaiming our autonomy, agency and authority over our own minds; avoiding the worst of the harms that we inflict upon ourselves
(19:40 – 20:15) How learning and teaching critical thinking is different when you view it as a martial art
(20:15 – 31:10) My experience with the martial arts, and the inspiration for the Argument Ninja Academy
(31:10 – 38:40) Introducing my team members: John Lenker (lenker.com)
(38:40 – 40:00) Introducing my team members: Julie Dirksen (usablelearning.com)
(40:00 – 41:05) Clarifying mission, audience and learning objectives; defining core skills and curriculum elements
(41:05 – 44:25) The real challenge: designing an infrastructure that supports learning
(44:25 – 48:15) Lessons about mindset and the importance of thinking big
(48:15 – 49:00) How we envision the development process unfolding
(49:00 – 49:30) How you can support this project