In sixth or seventh grade I sat in the back of English class, and I did not pay any attention whatsoever. There were a bunch of random books along the wall, and out of sheer boredom I started reading one. I eventually finished the whole book just by reading it during that class.

Right before report cards were about to be sent out my teacher asked me to stay after class. She told me I'm not paying attention, barely passing tests, etc etc.

Then she says, "I should be failing you, but seeing how you spent your time here reading Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy it just doesn't seem right to me. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Now pay better attention in my class the rest of the year, ok?".

Don't have to teach them lies if you just don't teach them.

Your experience really makes me wish I was back in school. I'd love to see teacher's reaction to the character and plot analysis of Peter Watts Rifters series or Blindsight🫠

I think even the plot summary of Killing Star would make them doubt in their, my and the author's sanity—"The book starts with near-total annihilation of the human species and Earth's biosphere by the highly energetic event of multiple relativistic kill vehicles impacting the planet at 0.92 C. And then it gets worse".