The Virtual Free University

The Virtual Free University* is a radical grass roots media ethics Think Tank and learning exchange advocating "free and open public access to public media and education".
The Virtual Free U* web page header reads:
"The Virtual Free University
The Worlds First and Oldest Virtual Free University Think Tank and Learning Exchange, Based on Mutual Aid Committed to Freedom of Inquiry and Media Ethics resistance against indoctrination since 1967 - Established 1972."
"Deschooling and De-Design for Peace Makers." i.e.: is also primarily an academic and media ethics de-designing process that avoids standardization of policies, an intensive "out of the box" Think Tank.
The idea of a virtual university as an institution that used computers and telecommunications instead of buildings and transport to bring students and teachers together for university courses was first published in works like "De-Schooling Society" by Ivan Illich that introduced the concept of the use of computer networks as switchboards for learning, in 1970. In 1971 George Kasey, a media(activist)ethicist, delivered a series of lectures on "the Philosophy of Communications De-Design" (AdBan) under the sponsorship of Phil Jacklin PhD, professor at University of California San Jose, a member of "The (San Francisco)Bay Area Committee for Open Media and Public Access." The lectures contained the theoretical outlines for use of telecommunications and media for de-schooling and de-design of mainstream education and an alternative Virtual Free University system. By 1972 George Kasey established "Media Free Times - periodical Multimedia Random Sampling of Anarchic Communications Art" a prototype for remote learning with the use of "multi-media periodicals," that are now commonly referred to as "web pages".
The Virtual Free University*, based on a Socratic model of un-learning, is a pacifist deschooling activity, as such there is no hierarchical structure, or any degrees for matriculation. All members are student mentors and remain anonymous. The only "notability" award is The Honorific Order of Pi for outstanding exemplary contributions, however this is not a prize but only a reminder to all to be humble and to avoid perusing for the vanity of integration into predefined "pseudo academic structures".
The VFU* places strong emphasis on "Free (clear) Thought" and respect for the "oral traditions", of ancient unorthodox (not part of the "Gutenberg galaxy") systems for increasing awareness, like Zen and Taoism, as well as contemporary programs that are not based on "imperial religionist" agendas i.e.: The Twelve Steps, Science of Mind and Ecumenical Pacifism.
The Virtual Free University official e-journal is published via Media Free Times
 
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