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I agree that learning normally involves emotional connections - if we're able to connect material to something personal or at least something present in our day-to-day lives, the knowledge will be easier to remember and apply because the connections we've made with it will be strong.  I don't think anyone would argue for a dry/emotionless style of education.  I guess one of the questions to consider might be how to allow and encourage students to form emotional connections - this sort of seems like the same question as "what makes a good teacher?"  Are some people better at eliciting emotional responses in people, and would that quality make for a better teacher?