#84: Why Our Schools are Failing (And How to Fix Them with Systems Thinking)

In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University confront a hard truth: our schools are failing because we're teaching information, not thinking.

They expose the real problem behind education’s struggles—what they call the tyranny of “Content is King”—and make the case for O-based education: teaching students how to organize information and build mental models, not just memorize facts.

From the over-management of teachers to the manipulation of public mental models by industries, they trace how systemic issues in education ripple out into every corner of society—health, finance, citizenship, and beyond. The solution? Systems thinking, metacognition, and daily practice of mental moves that empower students for a lifetime of learning, not just test-taking.

If you're a parent, teacher, or human who wants to fix the system, this episode will shift your perspective—and maybe your path.