I miss it, those early childhood stories that nobody understood at age 6. Running down the the park, stretching the blanked, laying down, and reading the most popular: "The Ugly Duckling", By then, it was only a story plus a small uncommon duck that was excluded from the rest, why? Because he was certainly "ugly" for society.
After 11 years I've finally come to understand the connection between a possible interpretation of The Ugly Duckling and the actual meaning of elite-education. Excellent sheep, a book written by William Deresiewicz, narrates the story of education in relation to it's students, and the negative aspects of how a system that was established long-ago has made of society a place where everyone aims to be exactly the same; in other words: EXCELLENT SHEEP.
After 11 years I've finally come to understand the connection between a possible interpretation of The Ugly Duckling and the actual meaning of elite-education. Excellent sheep, a book written by William Deresiewicz, narrates the story of education in relation to it's students, and the negative aspects of how a system that was established long-ago has made of society a place where everyone aims to be exactly the same; in other words: EXCELLENT SHEEP.
Since the day we were born we've been educated by a system who's ultimate goal in life is to have money; have money by having the best job, which you achieved after graduating from a prestigious college, which you were admitted by having a great education in a recognized school. Yet, even though some might have a completely opposite vision of life, it's hard to survive if 80% of people "follow the rules" to hopefully obtain the "GOOD LIFE".
Now here's the issue. Why are we searching for money, what does money and a better job give you that something that you love doesn't? At the end, what exactly is a "GOOD LIFE"? At least for me, although I haven't thought deeply about it, a good life is not about who has more and who is superior, I consider it as a term that defines someone who does what they love in life, someone who has a family that they care about, someone who is open to new experiences, and someone who does not follow society rules just to "fit in",
However, the problem is that everyday more people are motivated by the idea of being superior (more cash), leading most to view education as an opportunity to earn money, and because education is involved in the system, many "elite colleges" also behave in certain way to promote the idea of being better by studding a career that will give you more. In fact, this is one of the main reasons, why over years the percentage of people that study finance has increased drastically --hello-- working in wall street is quite a money giver.
Now here's the issue. Why are we searching for money, what does money and a better job give you that something that you love doesn't? At the end, what exactly is a "GOOD LIFE"? At least for me, although I haven't thought deeply about it, a good life is not about who has more and who is superior, I consider it as a term that defines someone who does what they love in life, someone who has a family that they care about, someone who is open to new experiences, and someone who does not follow society rules just to "fit in",
However, the problem is that everyday more people are motivated by the idea of being superior (more cash), leading most to view education as an opportunity to earn money, and because education is involved in the system, many "elite colleges" also behave in certain way to promote the idea of being better by studding a career that will give you more. In fact, this is one of the main reasons, why over years the percentage of people that study finance has increased drastically --hello-- working in wall street is quite a money giver.
But deep inside, what is the actual purpose of receiving an education, why is it that people study? Deresiewicz questions if "the only purpose of an education [is] to enable you to get job?" he asks "What, in short, is college for?". Students are being treated as if they were all the same, as if there motives in life and their interests were equal. There is no drive in college to become someone different, to ultimately define what your purpose in life is, who you are. I hate to say this, but in some way we've been brain washed by the idea that we need to achieve what society wants, and that kills every little fun aspect of going to college, of studying what you actually want, of being HAPPY. In fact, in college students suffer, they suffer of stress, of trying to aim for the impossible, of wishing to be better than others; they are unhealthy when supposed to be joyful that they've reached the perfect place to become someone. This happens because many people don't notice an important aspect of education. In such a systematic world it is a BENEFIT to be the ugly duckling, to be different than others; thats the people that have value. We are killing ourselves to be exactly the same -- robots to be exact. What's the problem in being unique, why are people afraid? Is it all because they fear the idea of not having "enough" money?. In my opinion, thats BS, and I don't understand what colleges are waiting for; just like one system was first established, couldn't there be a new one created based on a more civilized idea of education?. It's about time. |