Tara Westover: Mormons, Harry Potter and the future of education

I don’t know who Anne is, but she conducted this interview much better than some others I have seen interview Tara. She asked respectful questions with a genuine interest in hearing the answers, she did not rush to sensationalize every little detail of Tara’s story, did not speak condescendingly, and did not try too hard to push her own narrative. This was an enjoyable discussion.

Tara is asked early in this interview about her motivation to attend school. My experience of this book was that a huge motivation was escape from the current life and the path she was being groomed for. It's not a bad motivation, and it's not the only one she had. While reading her book, I definitely wanted her to escape that scrapyard run by a father obsessed with shortcuts and not ashamed of providing God multiple opportunities to fix his mistakes without the aid of medical professionals, before she lost body parts. And I was scared that if the Dad's recklessness didn't cripple her, her need for camaraderie and love from the abusive brother could. And then, I suspect the surprising and unwelcome effect her becoming a woman was having on him, not to mention, later, her expanding awareness through education adding to the threat to his own self image, the more dangerous he became. I'm surprised at how proud I can be of a stranger--but I so admire the courage she exhibited in going to college and accepting the opportunities offered despite her fears of not deserving them. But, I'm sad for her too, because while there's little physical evidence of the abuse (although I bet that spike left a scar to remember it by), I worry about how difficult the emotional and Spiritual abuse was (and is) to overcome.

Best interview of Tara I have ever watched. It made me thoughtful about our own family approach to education. Education is not only text books and acing tests, it’s way beyond that. Thanks to the interviewer for the straight to the point questions. Great job! I really enjoyed Tara’s book. It made a real impression on me.

This video makes me want to quit studying code and solving technical problems and instead go back to school to study high level interdisciplinary subjects that teach you to think through broadly and not hyper specialize and pigeon hole into a vocation.

What I find captivating about most interviews with Westover is the avid desire hosts have to caress her story into that of someone saved from "dark conservativism" by "enlightened progressivism." Yet, she never once trips on that wire. And the brakes she slams on those attempts makes those interviewing her seem significantly more ignorant than they would prefer to appear. It's wise on Westover's part and very well executed.

Montessori method is referred to as work and most kids love it! All my kids did and now my grandkids. Worth looking into Maria Montessori's method.

This is how 'educated' people sound when they have a discussion.

Poverty and impoverishment are not the same. Tara, I look forward to reading your book.

I love the softness of the interviewer, gives more room to focus on the questions and leaves time for the author to answer.

I must disagree with all the complaints about the interviewer. I think she did, overall, a good job.

Beautifully said. I loved this interview.

contradistinction - great word

Choices do exist among core standards. It's called differentiation.

Great content and discussion.

The host desperately needs to move closer to the mic. I cannot understand her when she lowers her voice to ask questions. The video itself is very interesting.

Wow she must have a super high IQ to able to teacher herself so much.

Reminds me of that book from Summerhill...

Tara was NOT raised a Mormon. Virtually nothing that was taught in the Westover home agrees with Church doctrine. If the Church taught what her Dad spewed, I would leave the Church too. But it does not, not in the least. She loves her "mountain" like a holocaust survivor looks back at the barracks once lived in, grateful to have survived, and grateful for the few fleeting moments of happiness found there from time to time.

What a lovely voice!

Where does she talk about harry potter? I missed it.