On the Nature of Surface Learning

A young sales assistant starts work in a hardware shop. The owner says,

"Watch this, I'll show you how it's done."

A customer comes in and ask for a box of grass seed. The owner says,

"Certainly Sir, and I imagine you might be needing a lawnmower for your new lawn?"

After discussion, the customer leaves with a box of grass seed and a lawnmower.

"See," says the owner, "that's how to do it."

A little later another customer enters, approaches the counter and asks for a packet of wallpaper paste.

"Ah" says the sales assistant, "you'll be wanting a lawnmower with that."

A.J. Cann