After the chat session last night, I realized a few things. Most people don't have much experience with systems theory, equilibrium, and organizational structure. My first MA was primarily focused on that, but within the media as an enterprise. The goals may change but systems theory is systems theory. If you want to learn more, take a course in organizational communication. Dr. Larry Albert at MSU is probably the best in the region when discussing it.

One of the ways systems keep things in check is by managing time and using symbolism to signify and elicit change in their members. The following is an interesting article by former NY teacher of the year John Taylor Gatto. It is on the underlying subconscious effect of the bell system on your students. I think you might find it enlightening.


The Six-Lesson Schoolteacherby John Taylor Gatto, New York State Teacher of the Year, 1991

Call me Mr. Gatto, please. Twenty-six years ago, having nothing better to do, I tried my hand at schoolteaching. My license certifies me as an instructor of English language and literature, but that isn't what I do at all. What I teach is school, and I win awards doing it.
Teaching means many different things, but six lessons are common to schoolteaching from Harlem to Hollywood. You pay for these lessons in more ways than you can imagine, so you might as well know what they are:


ha ha fooled you. read the rest at this link...., but come back to comment here.
http://www.cantrip.org/gatto.html?seenIEPage=1

here is a longer link, an article he wrote called "against school"

http://www.spinninglobe.net/againstschool.htm

what do you think about a state-wide two time teacher of the year winner writing an article called "against school"

Also, you can read his book "The Underground History of American Education" online at his webpage http://www.johntaylorgatto.com