Is this highly informative, entertaining and useful ongoing discussion about Steiner (i.e. Anthroposophical) education the longest continuous one in the world? Conducted in the main between UK people it does contain occasional rants and expletives so wear your hard hat when reading. The link will display newest posts first, there’s a ‘flip’ option on the menu bar there to display it from the beginning if you prefer.
If you prefer academic discourse then search for any thread by historian Peter Staudenmaier over on the Waldorf critics forum . Peter, en route to his doctorate, has used primary sources of evidence such as Nazi archives, pamphlets and other texts to elucidate the complex relationship between the Anthroposophy movement and the Nazis. I rather like this post by him because it looks at factions within the Nazi state apparatus that were opposed to Anthroposophy whereas Peter’s research has more often revealed the cosier side of the Anthroposophy/Nazi relationship. Even so, the post linked to will not be comfortable reading for Anthroposophists.
How about some downright weird (as in very strange) Anthroposophical discussions? Well, look no further than this Anthroposophical discussion list. Here’s a very recent post typical of the kind you’re likely to come across on the forum.
Biodynamics keeps cropping up recently. It’s not all muck and nonsense, is it? Well, the website forum I had in mind to show that it is seems to be down as I write this post and so, instead, I found this entertaining article about biodynamic wine for you, November 2008 vintage. Very dry. EDIT Feb 2019 Sad to say, that biodynamics link is no more
Hello, the discussion that you linked to is a forum that has had many threads written about Steiner education. There are approximately 6000 posts in the archives. Unfortunately a devoted follower of anthroposophy from Sweden called Sune Nordwall and a lawyer Percy Bratt threatened legal action last year so many of the posts and some of the threads got deleted.
Mr Nordwall initially pretended to be a woman on the mother’s forum and posted as ‘Eva52’, then someone recognised his unique writing style he then posted as ‘Thebee’. I can only describe him as a denialist of the highest order, he can’t seem to hear the numerous distressing experiences described by the parents and the children, bizarrely his main concern was that we needed to know the celebrity Jennifer Anniston went to a Steiner Waldorf school. He was eventually banned for repeatedly linking to his own websites as a way to derail, dispute and rubbish what was being discussed – and consequently took revenge by calling his lawyer in. A tactic I have heard he has previously used with some success.
I think the owners of the forum are showing great courage allowing the thread to happen, I think they may now realise how important that the thread be allowed to continue given how serious some of the concerns are including possible sex abuse and racism. There is also the recent disturbing discovery that there appears to be no comeback with these schools, they are completely unaccountable? I suspect if there had been an independent body the movement would have been exposed and perished years ago.
I enjoy your articles and find then terrifically enlightening, thank you for all your hard work so far!
Notahobbit
It’s good to know you’re enjoying the blog Notahobbit, thanks and thanks too for the heads up about Mr Nordwall. I’m long aware of his tactics and he’s welcome to take me to court any time he likes, I’d make good use of the publicity.
Re accountability, no comeback? I’ll have to re-read the thread then, missed that one. Re the abuse, my solicitor (he was always on stand by for the CHASE group I used to be involved with) specialises in helping survivors seek and obtain redress for their sufferings, I’ll add a link to his website to the blog today for visitors that might need help or advice. Re the racism, I’m so very glad that somebody on the forum is taking this further. Apols for hasty reply, madhouse here at the mo.
And mr Nordwall, the man with the unique writing style, is now calling himself Tizian on mumsnet. I don’t think it was mentioned, and perhaps someone brave enough–to look complete nuttiness in the face–is searching for those particular entries on mumsnet.