For the record, this was my idea to post about first. Kenzie took my idea (although it is fair, as she was a participant).
It's nice to be able to have conversations with people who disagree with you and not have any heads bitten off. While my friends watched (or fell asleep to) Captain America, I had the privilege of having one of the best political/philosophical conversations I've ever had. Kenzie, Dube and I certainly don't agree on every issue, but we did what most people seem to be unable to do - listen. Ingrid's mom listened to, and offered random bits of insight here and there. Here we were - 4 totally different people having intelligent conversation.
The question is, why can't more people do this? Or why is it so hard, at least? I feel that the shouting matches are defense mechanisms triggered by the fear of a person's own ideology being turned to nothing. Your thoughts?
Monday, September 24, 2012
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Slow and Steady
I'm finally just now figuring out my blog and such. I've been reading other people's posts, and there's been some really cool stuff posted - I guess that's why were DipCans. Then I look at my pitiful 3 posts in 2 weeks. Slow and steady certainly doesn't seem to be winning the race.
Come on, Sam. Get in the game.
I disagree with the age-old saying - "slow and steady wins the race." It hasn't really won me any medals. When society and life move at a breathtakingly fast rate, there's no time. Due dates, timed tests, and the demands of society to be productive seem to make the phrase outdated. The tortoise of today has to compete with a supersonic hare in a Lambourgini with turbo. The poor tortoise can't possibly keep up. I'm definitely a tortoise in many ways - I do things slowly, and usually take a while to do them. I'm also a procrastinator - tripling the amount of time it takes to do anything. Hares (those people with high energy, focus, and motivation) thrive in the current system. I seem to be friends with a lot of hares. I'm just not one of them.
Many people, however, stick by the saying. They might look at things big picture. For example, they might say that persevering with all of the work is being the tortoise and being the slow and steady force to win the race. I suppose it all depends on how you look at it.
So what do you think? Is there still a chance for the tortoise? Or has the hare already run him over with the Lambourgini?
(In case you hadn't noticed, I use lots of weird metaphors. It ain't gettin' any better from here)
Come on, Sam. Get in the game.
I disagree with the age-old saying - "slow and steady wins the race." It hasn't really won me any medals. When society and life move at a breathtakingly fast rate, there's no time. Due dates, timed tests, and the demands of society to be productive seem to make the phrase outdated. The tortoise of today has to compete with a supersonic hare in a Lambourgini with turbo. The poor tortoise can't possibly keep up. I'm definitely a tortoise in many ways - I do things slowly, and usually take a while to do them. I'm also a procrastinator - tripling the amount of time it takes to do anything. Hares (those people with high energy, focus, and motivation) thrive in the current system. I seem to be friends with a lot of hares. I'm just not one of them.
Many people, however, stick by the saying. They might look at things big picture. For example, they might say that persevering with all of the work is being the tortoise and being the slow and steady force to win the race. I suppose it all depends on how you look at it.
So what do you think? Is there still a chance for the tortoise? Or has the hare already run him over with the Lambourgini?
(In case you hadn't noticed, I use lots of weird metaphors. It ain't gettin' any better from here)
It's All Relative
Time sucks.
It seems that everything fun and enjoyable passes at a faster rate than things that aren't enjoyable. The same class can seem to pass by in 5 minutes one day and 5 hours the next. It all seems strange to me. It seems to me that time moves sporadically, and yet there are standard units for measuring it. Could it be that time actually moves at fluctuating speeds, and moves differently for everyone? I've always thought it would be funny if it turned out everyone's universe was different from everyone else's. We live in a world of standardization - the irony would be jaw-dropping. I've always felt I see the world differently than everyone else. It seems everyone else feels that way too. Perhaps this means something...or I could be insane. I'd say it's a 50/50 shot either way.
It seems that everything fun and enjoyable passes at a faster rate than things that aren't enjoyable. The same class can seem to pass by in 5 minutes one day and 5 hours the next. It all seems strange to me. It seems to me that time moves sporadically, and yet there are standard units for measuring it. Could it be that time actually moves at fluctuating speeds, and moves differently for everyone? I've always thought it would be funny if it turned out everyone's universe was different from everyone else's. We live in a world of standardization - the irony would be jaw-dropping. I've always felt I see the world differently than everyone else. It seems everyone else feels that way too. Perhaps this means something...or I could be insane. I'd say it's a 50/50 shot either way.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Breaking Point
Can anyone really do everything?
It seems that we as students are increasingly expected to be able to balance larger amounts of activity into smaller windows of time. Practices and rehearsals for extra-curriculars conflict with outside-of-school activities (not to mention a job), and homework gets pushed back farther and farther. Everything demands that you make it your priority. Family and religious commitments are "not going to cut it," in the words of my friend Calvin's boss as he added an extra shift to Calvin's already busy schedule. With all of this, sleep is basically out of the question.
This seems so wrong to me. How can society expect us to be almost super-human in terms of our stamina and focus? We weren't made to be able to handle this, and shouldn't have to deal with it.
Your thoughts?
It seems that we as students are increasingly expected to be able to balance larger amounts of activity into smaller windows of time. Practices and rehearsals for extra-curriculars conflict with outside-of-school activities (not to mention a job), and homework gets pushed back farther and farther. Everything demands that you make it your priority. Family and religious commitments are "not going to cut it," in the words of my friend Calvin's boss as he added an extra shift to Calvin's already busy schedule. With all of this, sleep is basically out of the question.
This seems so wrong to me. How can society expect us to be almost super-human in terms of our stamina and focus? We weren't made to be able to handle this, and shouldn't have to deal with it.
Your thoughts?
Thursday, September 13, 2012
What a Waste
I don't do terribly in school. I have a solid A-/B+ average (it fluctuates based on my work ethic), and I've only taken 1 non-honors core class in high school. I'm generally good at learning. With an exceptionally lucky PSAT and ACT score and similar AP scores, I've received mail from lots of prestigious schools - often advertising inquiry fields. The problem is, I want to be a music major.
Is this a waste? Many would argue yes. I could actually contribute to the betterment of society if I were to go into something like medicine or engineering. I could make a difference in the lives of millions if I went into politics or law. Even being a banker would be a successful career. A bachelor in arts would NOT be helpful.
I'm wearing an All-State shirt and just had callbacks for the musical. I know what I want to do - I know what's in my heart.
The question becomes this - is it ethical to go into music when you could be just as good in a field that was actually helping people?
Is this a waste? Many would argue yes. I could actually contribute to the betterment of society if I were to go into something like medicine or engineering. I could make a difference in the lives of millions if I went into politics or law. Even being a banker would be a successful career. A bachelor in arts would NOT be helpful.
I'm wearing an All-State shirt and just had callbacks for the musical. I know what I want to do - I know what's in my heart.
The question becomes this - is it ethical to go into music when you could be just as good in a field that was actually helping people?
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