education is killing my creativity

After watching Sir Ken Robinson’s lecture on changing education paradigms, complete with animation, I found myself a bit lost in the absolute brilliance of it. Not only was his accent amazing, but what he said with his awesome accent was just as equally amazing and awesome. Granted, I always tend to focus more when there are British accents involved but that’s beside the point. I even decided to give some of his other lectures a go, thank you Youtube.

In this video he explains how education is being reformed based on economic and cultural reasons. How we “educate our children to take their place in the economies of the 21^st century,” while maintaining “cultural identity.” Yet instead of progressing, the educational system still works according to its structure that was created in the period on enlightenment and during the industrial revolution. Sir Ken Robinson believes that “schools are still pretty much organized on factory lines, ringing bells, separate facilities, specialized into separate subjects. We still educate children by batches… we put them through the system by age group… why is there this assumption that the most important things kids have in common is how old they are… it’s like the most important thing about them is their date of manufacture.”

This reminds me so much of Brave New World, where the entire system is pretty much based on industrialization, on factories, on assembly lines. The people are no longer created but are instead manufactured and drown according to the expectations of the leaders. There are eggs “on a very slowly moving band a rack-full of test-tubes was entering a large metal box, another, rack-full was emerging. Machinery faintly purred.” They were being manipulated to fit the expectations set out for them. They underwent the Bokanovsky's Process, “bokanovskification consists of a series of arrests of development. We check the normal growth and, paradoxically enough, the egg responds by budding.” Similar to Sir Ken Robinson’s explanation of educations, people in the Brave New World were created in batches and this was what defined them they were created into Gammas, unvarying Deltas, Epsilons. The person lost their significance; it was merely the title that was important. They were like toys being assembled, easily manipulated and dispensable and easily replaced by the next batch. There was absolutely no guarantee of one’s importance, since they could be replaced.

Sir Ken Robinson’s tells us how “we are getting our children through education by anaesthetising them,” we “shut [their] senses off and deaden [them] to what is happening.” To allow them to get through things we simply shut off all distractions by trying to minimize the senses. Just like in Brave New World infants are conditioned to hate books and nature so that they would not deter from society’s basis on consumption or fight against their designated position in life. And as they grow they take soma, a drug with “all the advantages of Christianity and alcohol; none of their defects” it was “euphoric, narcotic, pleasantly hallucinant… one cubic centimetre [of soma] cures ten gloomy sentiments.” Instead of dealing with issues and all negative thoughts, they instead turn to soma in order to desensitize themselves and shut off all of their senses with the exception of a perceived “happiness.”

Now I’m going to end on a happy note, back to the British guy. I really liked what Sir Ken Robinson had to say. I find his arguments to be very logical and very truthful. I also agree with him when he says that education kills creativity. Education is not bad, far from it, education is actually brilliant; however, when education decides itself to be superior and in turn disregards the importance of creativity then we will fall into a downward cycle. Without creativity there really isn’t much knowledge in the world since knew knowledge comes through innovation and creativity. Without the ability to be creative, then how can knew knowledge come about?

“If a man speaks his mind in a forest and no woman hears him, is he still wrong?” - Sir Ken Robinson

im like a pressured water pipe... unstable

Now I was totally expecting to have a very easy day with absolutely no homework at all. I was planning on sleeping early and actually getting a proper night’s sleep. Then I was reminded of this blog post, to say I’m a bit bitter would be an understatement. So thanks for the short notice on the blog Mr. D, you should definitely poke a few more holes in the water pipe, ie. Stop all these blog posting homework things for a while; we should all go on that field trip.

Anyways, I feel like “water under pressure in a pipe… pierce it once…what a jet!... [pierce] it twenty times [and there is] twenty piddling little fountains.” The concept is clear, simply relieve the pressure and it will no longer be pressure, just add more outlets. The simple manipulation of people’s experiences lead to extraordinary results where the population has succumbed into nothing but experimental successes. All they needed was stability for there was “no civilization without social stability [and] no social stability without individual stability.” When desires were repressed strong emotion came about, thus along with it, came instability.

From the moment of creation the embryos are manipulated in order to fit society. They are then conditioned to feel or desire certain things. They needed to get rid of unnecessary feeling because “feeling lurks in that interval of time between desire and its consummation. Shorten the interval, break down all those old unnecessary barriers.” By giving the people their desire in almost an instant, they are able to repress feelings from harboring. Whether it’s an immediate bottle when hungry during infancy, or to fulfill a sexual gratification, it is always within easy reach for “every one belongs to every one else.” They have all been conditioned so well that even the slightest gap would lead to a “horrible” emotion.

The thought of monogamy or family connections was eradicated, considered to be unspeakable and completely horrendous. Promiscuity was encouraged for it was not encouraged for anyone to form a bond that was anything more that temporary or casual. “It’s such horribly bad form to go on and on like this with one man.” It was promiscuity that was the social norm, as opposed to monogamy which has a greater emphasis in our culture. Even from childhood it was encouraged, if not necessary, to be involved in “a rudimentary sexual game.” Thos who did not want to fully participate were sent to see the Assistant Superintendant of Psychology in order to assess their fault and rectify it.

Normal human experiences were molded into necessary forms in order to fit the expectations of the social norm. To go against it would suggest a deep physiological problem.

I’ve now been up past midnight again, it’s been like this for the past months, this is getting really crazy, not to mention tiring. Maybe if I write it down then it will not occur again… but that’s just wishful thinking really. My blog postings have been becoming progressively shorter as each one passes by, it’s a bit disheartening. School is significantly draining my ability to process and communicate, funny how that works. Alright I’m done now, it’s time to turn in.

my heart is heavy

another four fall victim to suicide
How many more need to die before we start taking action?

why all the hatred?

Within the past month four teenagers have ended their lives because they were senselessly bullied by their peers simply because they were gay. The most recent victim being Tyler Clementi, 18; California's Seth Walsh and Texas' Asher Brown, both 13, and Indiana's Billy Lucas, 15, also ended their lives because they mistreated for their sexuality.

It is sad that we live in a world where people harass other people because they are different. Just because others might not share the same values and beliefs, it doesn’t give others the right to put them down. It saddens my heart to know that these teenagers felt the need to end their lives because they were being bullied so much that they could no longer endure life. These four teens are just a few of many others who fall under the same unfortunate circumstances. How many have ended their lives because they were terrorized for who they were? How many more need to die for us to do something?

At the end of the day we are all the same, we are all just people trying to make the best of our lives and live life to the best of our ability. Just because someone is different it doesn’t mean that they are less human. We all have flaws and no one if perfect, no one even comes close. People shouldn’t be afraid to be who they are. They shouldn’t be susceptible to bullying because of who they are. They shouldn’t have to prematurely end their lives because they can no longer cope. Imagine if it were your brother, your sister, your friend, would you want them to lives their lives in fear? If they were gay, how would you feel if they were bullied every day? If they were bullied so much that the only way they felt they could cope was to end their lives.

Imagine if the roles were reversed. Imagine if you were the one who isn’t considered “normal” based on other people’s dictations. How would you feel in their position, to be bullied for being who you are?

We need to do something about this tragedy before even more lives end. If we don’t do anything then it’s never going to stop. We must take a stand and fight for those who are too afraid to fight. We need to realize that our words are as sharp as knives and thus they must be used with care. Think before you judge someone because they are different.

Do you want to live in a world where you hear about innocent people ending their lives due to bullying? Do you want to live in a world filled with hatred? If you want to live in a better world then do something to fight against the cruelty that so many people face every day of their lives.

Today I turned on the television and the news comes on and the first thing I see is a sign claiming that “God hates faggots” and shouts and jeers by grown men and women. They shout their words filled with hatred and interrupt something as sacred as a funeral. They have no remorse but instead sing songs of people going to burn in hell because they are gay.

I just felt anger and I was thoroughly upset. I despise how people use Gods name to condemn others. A name that should be associated with love and compassion is instead being used for hatred. It is a sad world when people hate others because of their sexuality, and even more so when they are adults who are supposed to be logical.

Instead of spreading words of hatred, why can’t we spread words of love?

I myself am a Christian. I grew up in a Christian household and have been going to church since I was born. I can say with confidence that God loves everyone whether they are gay or not. Some argue that being gay is a sin and thus they are hated by God, but all sins are equal in the eyes of God, thus if those who are gay are hated due to their sin, then so is everyone else because everyone has committed sins in their lives. In the bible, 1 John 4:20-21, it says that “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.” So by hating those who are gay, they in turn, lose all credibility in their love for God and are disobeying his commandments and thus sinning.

Do something, before it is too late. Act now, before more people fall victims of suicide due to bullying.

breaking out of the template

Okay, so it seems like for as long as I could remember The Tempest has always been there. Which, if you think about it, is ridiculously sad because it’s been such a constant topic that I don’t remember a time before it *cough*Big Brother*cough* and cause my memory is such in a horrible state that it can’t recall a time without The Tempest.

So with all this talk of colonialism and such, my desire to watch Pocahontas keeps growing, it also probably doesn’t help that Choua insists on singing the chorus of “Colors of the Wind” regularly during 1^st period. In all seriousness though, you should listen to the song because it’s relevant and inspiring. I’m actually listening to it right now as I write this blog, although I’d rather be sleeping. However, I can’t sleep cause after this I’ve got to do my math homework *sigh* I feel enslaved by my homework. Hmm… connections, are our teachers the “Prosperos” of our world? And are we nothing but “savages” to do their will?

In our discussions of The Tempest, one main controversial issue that has kept creeping back has always been in regards to the interpretation of the text itself. It’s as if people have taken it upon themselves to psychoanalyze the brilliant mind that is William Shakespeare.  On one side of the metaphorical line are those who argue that The Tempest, or any literary work for that matter, should be read as it is written and that things should be kept at the superficial. For example, George Will sees any “political” interpretation, basically anything under the surface meaning, as an act that is more dangerous than foreign adversaries. On the other side of said line are those who believe in an open interpretation. Such as Stephen Greenblatt, who insists that students should be given the opportunity to explore the text. Some believe that the world is made of butterflies and rainbows and that we should all love each other and not argue about The Tempest so that students all over the world can get a proper night’s sleep without nightmares of essays and articles, but I digress.

As a student I think it’s my time to talk and take the soap box. I believe that we should be given the opportunity to analyze things by ourselves. We should be able to interpret things by our own standards and no one else’s. Learning is at its very best when it is given free reign. It is when we are able to consider and look at all the different perspectives in the world and make it our own, that we are at the epitome of our learning. When we are given freedom, we are able to explore places others can’t even imagine. We are able to look at things with our own eyes and make our own metaphorical adventure. When we are not constricted by these standards that others have stressed, that is when we can fully grow and bloom into a beautiful and knowledgeable flower.

There shouldn’t be a “right” or “wrong” way to answer and see things. It is impossible for such a thing to exist since everyone has their own unique perspective on things, thus they have their own versions. When we start telling people how they should or shouldn’t learn, we will no longer forward. We will be stuck at the very best. Without the ability to learn freely then there is no room for progress, it is when ideas can flow without constriction that they can fully develop.

When we are given the chance to see things by ourselves and create our own opinion, we are able to create our greatest works. When we do things because we can and not because we should, then it is then that we are able to create things we are proud of. When we are given the “right” way to do things, it only serves to constrict our ability to grow and move forward. Instead of creating something beautiful, we create a shoddy piece of “work” just because we were told to. Defining the “right” way to read and interpret things is like claiming an “absolute truth” it is impossible to do so and it is futile to try.

I have hit 2 am and now the song “Breathe (2 am)” by Anna Nalick is stuck in my head. Forgive my ramblings but I have given myself complete freedom to write what is on my mind. I believe it is the best way to grown, not only as a person but as a student. Try not to think too much about what is expected of you by others, but instead think of what you expect from yourself because then you will have a purpose to become more than what you are now.