I am always astounded at how quickly and ferociously people will rush to the defense of common practice schooling models. "It worked really well for me!" "Children need to learn to shut up and do what they're told!" - as several comments here attest.
I don't think this article is persuasive enough to convince most readers of the benefits of a self-directed learning environment.
All I can say is that for me, I really struggled to cope with common practice schooling. I really think I would have flourished in a self-directed environment. I'm not necessarily sure it's best for everyone, but I wish adults, especially parents, would be open to the idea that their success in life happened in spite of their schooling, rather than because of it.
My favorite reason people give for why kids should not homeschooled or alternative schooled is that it is not "the real world".
As an adult, I live in "the real world". When I come to work I don't get degraded, ridiculed, talked down to, insulted, wedgeed or dumped headfirst into the garbage can.
Public school is not "the real world" unless, of course, you are referring to a actual prison.
As much as I agree with your point -- and I bet it gives people pause when you deliver it! -- I think that the reason they're giving is somewhat valid, but just worded very poorly. AIUI, what they actually mean is the social interaction aspect of things... which, coming back to your point, is still pretty twisted.
However, things like forming friendships and relationships and dealing with social adversaries, while bastardized, is still real. Of course it's not like these things can't be done outside of a school setting -- it's just the most likely place for a child with little or no options for significant physical mobility.
I don't think this article is persuasive enough to convince most readers of the benefits of a self-directed learning environment.
All I can say is that for me, I really struggled to cope with common practice schooling. I really think I would have flourished in a self-directed environment. I'm not necessarily sure it's best for everyone, but I wish adults, especially parents, would be open to the idea that their success in life happened in spite of their schooling, rather than because of it.