It makes sense that we came up with our public school system during the Industrial Revolution because it's like everybody is a factory worker, eating their terrible food and going back to the room where you're silent and listening to an idiot. That's an epitomizing idea, getting called 'Nothing' for your whole high school experience.

In this quote, Ezra Miller, an American actor and activist, critiques the structure of the public school system and its origins during the Industrial Revolution. Miller compares the rigid, factory-like nature of schools to the monotonous, repetitive life of a factory worker, where individuals are treated as interchangeable parts, expected to follow orders and conform to societal expectations. He suggests that the system encourages conformity, stifling individuality, creativity, and personal expression, much like a factory worker who is reduced to being a cog in the machine.

Miller’s reference to students being forced to eat terrible food and then return to a silent environment where they are forced to listen to an idiot (likely referring to teachers or authority figures they may perceive as unworthy) underscores his criticism of the lack of agency and respect for the students within the system. He implies that the public school experience can be demoralizing, with students feeling unheard and unimportant. This criticism reflects the larger societal issue of an education system that fails to recognize the individual and instead treats everyone the same, disregarding their unique abilities and interests.

The phrase "getting called 'Nothing' for your whole high school experience" encapsulates the feeling of insignificance that many students experience in an education system that prioritizes standardization and conformity. Miller’s words suggest that instead of being valued for their talents or potential, students are often reduced to a number or grade, contributing to a sense of self-worthlessness. This experience, he argues, can be demoralizing, leaving students feeling like they have no value beyond what the system dictates.

Ultimately, Miller’s critique highlights the need for reform in how we approach education. He advocates for a system that values individuality, fosters creativity, and encourages students to feel empowered rather than marginalized. His words challenge the traditional education system, urging society to rethink the ways in which students are treated, taught, and nurtured.