Does education kill creativity?

Our education system seems to be the topic to which many people feel comfortable bashing, giving advice, cures, etc. But one man that I truly believe has something to talk about is Sir Ken Robinson. He has one of the most watched TED talks about education and creativity. He speaks about the education system that is in place now and how it does not foster a space of creativity for our youth.

Watch his videos at TED:

http://www.ted.com/search?q=sir+ken+robinson

Looking back on my education I wonder if, although time has passed, does this apply to my experience of formal education. And I can say with an overwhelming YES, I do feel that our education system stifled my expression, imagination, and curiosity. One person that traditional education exploits as the ultimate genius is Albert Einstien. And what does he have to say about this topic:

It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education.

-Albert Einstein

Our education system puts so much pressure on the fundamentals (reading, writing, and math), so why are we not producing great thinkers? 

Thomas Friedman, author of ‘The World Is Flat’ has something to say about the new global competition that faces youth in the work force today…what does he have to say?

"Give me the kid with a passion to learn and a curiosity to discover and I will take him or her over the less passionate kid with a huge IQ every day of the week." IQ "still matters, but CQ and PQ ... matter even more." Thomas Friedman

But why do we not see these things as important in education? It’s all about memorizing, not question what is in your text book, being an obedient student. Yet many great thinkers, scientists, and artists are quite the opposite and some of the greatest works comes from challenging the facts of today.

I do not want to bash teachers, for I know many and see their passion and efforts in their work. It is deeper that teachers, this problem that we face, it is a systematic problem that needs to be explored not obediently followed. If we look around the world today, children are facing a much different and challenging world, let’s give them the best tools to face their future. And let’s start with Ken Robinson’s suggestions.

Check out the man of the hour:

http://www.ted.com/search?q=sir+ken+robinson
http://sirkenrobinson.com/skr/

Learning to Take Up Space and Have a Voice

 

‘Sugar and spice and everything nice!’ This is the message I received as a young woman from the social support around me. Yet I also had to be smart, athletic, successful, and in many ways the ideal young woman. So not only do you have to be a ‘good’ girl, you also have to do everything well, with the ‘good’ girl demeanor. Suppress any desire to be loud, angry, or to take up space. 

Now at the age of 26 I’ve almost mastered this illusion that women must bear in order to gain the respect and love of many people in my life. But wait a minute!!! I don’t want to be restrained! I want to be a full, whole, healthy, human being. So if that means taking up space, well then I’m going to take up space. Move over world, I’m taking my space back! When I say I’m taking my space back, I mean I want to take up as much space as the next guy. (Also, I don’t mean increasing my carbon footprint, ha, I mean more of a spiritual/emotional/psychological space which only comes w/ confidence in self to BE in the world).

I took a workshop w/ Rachel Simmons called, Say What You Mean, Be Who You Are.  It was incredible. We talked about the pressures our culture places on young women’s shoulders to be a ‘good’ girl, not take up to much space, or ask for too much. This is not a healthy way to live. Not only is it unhealthy for the women under this cultural spell, but also the world at large. Under this ‘good’ girl guise people cannot truly thrive or grow to be the best person they can become. When we hold back, we cannot fully blossom, and therefore we will not be able to truly give our best (to yourself and the world). 

This poem by Anais Nin speaks beautifully to this idea:

And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.

 

Believe me, we want people to blossom. I want every person in this world to become a healthy realized individual. To thrive as an artist, an astronaut, a librarian, a mechanic, a president because when we allow for this type of blossoming we will truly have the best president or the best artist regardless of sex, race, age, sexual orientation, etc. 

Back to Rachel Simmons…the workshop focused on assisting young women in taking up space, being loud, speaking our desires, without the fear of losing important relationships. It’s amazing how many young women will be overly polite, not ask for too much, or become angry at someone due to a fear that the other individual will not love us anymore. When did we get this message!!! This is so unhealthy, yet I find myself acting this way often. Yes, there are times when it is important to compromise and be friendly, but not at the expense of your spiritual and psychological health.

This message speaks to so many women. If I take a moment to think about the women in my life that do this, wow, I can think of sooooo many. When I think about men, yes some do this, butmost say what they want to or ask for things they would like. Women need some of that confidence,  to believe that their health, desires, and dreams are just as important or maybe more important to keep healthy relationships. It makes total sense, take care of yourself and love yourself, so that you may help and love others. We’ve all heard it so many times, ‘if you can’t love yourself, how can you love others?’, invest in your health women!

Even though I’ve spent a good chunk of my life accepting the ‘good’ girl guise, I am so happy to finally challenge that perception and take a step towards having a voice and taking up space. I know I deserve it, and so does every single person.

Thanks Rachel!

 

Check out this rock star lady:

http://www.rachelsimmons.com/
http://tedxwomen.org/speakers/rachel-simmons/