Chris Galvin sent the following letter (response sent from mail@cartalk.com).

An educated adult should know how to laugh at herself and cry for others. She should have a context, both historical and literary. She should know that it is honorable to pay bills. She should know the basic tenets of at least three major world religions, and adhere to one which she may question. An educated person should know her own family history, then her community's and then her nation's and then the world's. Myth is important, as are poetry and music. She ought to be able to amuse herself for a week without external stimuli by recalling nursery rhymes, fairy tales, chapters of great books and scenes from plays. Failing, that she should be able to write a passable essay, short story or poem. An educated person would always be educable. She could also swim, dance, read music, ride a bike, snorkel, play word and board games and meditate. An educated person could cook, sew, garden and repair small appliances or motors because she could read and follow directions. She would also smile, hum and teach someone else. She would nurse her babies and love her husband and educate her own children.

What a great and stimulating question this is. Thanks.

An educated person should also be able to spell. I didn't the first time.

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