So I've recently gone on this TEDtalk inflation. In case you haven't heard about TEDtalks - they are recorded in conferences where brilliant researchers come together to share their insights and views on issues they spent a good portion of their lives working on. Condensing issues down to a 20mins talk- to set others thinking.
A couple of the brilliant talks I've come across are Do schools kill creativity by Sir Ken Robinson, The art of Asking by Amanda Palmer, The power of introverts by Susan Cain, The power of Vulnerability by Brené Brown and the Paradox of Choices by Barry Schwartz. Then there is If I should have a daughter by Sarah Kay- which brought me to these TED talks in the first place.
They've all set me pondering and thinking about happiness, love, creation, creativity, perception, understanding and most importantly- why research is so important in everything we do. And I just want to reflect upon some of those things here: in the form of writing.
We experience the world as individuals- no two people share exact experiences. So then, there is no set standard for how things are meant to run.
Now, I'm not saying there isn't a definition of right or wrong. Moral reasoning will always remains a greater part of the human psyche, it fulfills our function for survival as a society. I'm just saying non-normative influences on development in our society has been ever increasing. A good example is the various ages people graduate from university or get admitted into one.
This is an easy example to draw from as I relate to it personally- watching peers move into universities of their choices and I am held back by national service. I wish to move on with education and my career too- but it doesn't make my experiences in the army less valid. It does however, impact the way I relate to the world and the people around me.
I am afraid of being wrong- I'll admit that. We all are- society has hard wired us to not accept failure. That it is a horrible and unacceptable thing. So much so, that in education- I think I can safely say this, the motivation for a good part of our cohort is no longer to learn and wonder but to not fail instead. That's why everyone is striving to be straight A, biochemist, nuclear physicist, ultra-marathoner, Pulitzer writer, ironmen or women.
But failure teaches too. And I know that all too well because I, as with everyone else, have struggled with "Not good enough"- and come out on the battered end. But it doesn't stop anything- life has to happen and it will with or without failures.
But here is the next problem- millenials. We have heard criticism about them and all the new coverage. They are the "me, me, me" generation and are subject to Facebook, Instagram, twitter and a myriad of social networking tools to "broadcast" to the world- in search of validity and to feed their love for the idea of "I am me." They quote and misquote, air their vulnerabilities online and bare their teeth at dirty linen in the virtual world.
I admire technology, I love it. I think it is one of the best things to happen in the world. But this needs some control. As Sir Ken Robinson says "it is interesting how education has the same hierarchy of subjects no matter where you go." Math and languages, humanities then the arts. And even in the arts - music and visual arts are placed above drama and dance.
Why?
Don't we all have bodies? Wouldn't we all dance if we were given the opportunity to? That's my issue with how technology affects the millenials- they prefer tech over physical activities a lot of time. And they'd want to watch rubbish to fulfill their boredom. Unless they are the blessed few who then spend a good part of their lives being controlled to focus on another task. Otherwise, I'd say technology is taking away out ability to listen because of the power to broadcast.
There is so much more to understands and I wish I had the capacity to do so much more- but for now, it is time to focus on keeping standards in the army to defend our systems against threats. Maybe I think and worry too much- but I don't think anything is an isolated event and eventually we will feel the repercussions of our present- in the future.
