Book Smarts vs. Street Smarts

I remember this was always a big debate in HS.

It always started off with a student who doesn't have the best GPA, making a claim that his/her classwork has no value in the real world, and that he/she prefers to have "street smarts."

Firstly, what are "Street Smarts"? I was raised and educated in upper-middle class public and private schools. I can guarantee you that our version of "street smarts" vary dramatically from other communities in the county, let alone other states and countries. 

Also, how do you imagine acquiring these "street smarts"? Of course, we would all agree that experience plays a large role in developing the ability to navigate complex social environments, but how diverse are HS students' experiences? If student's don't get outside of their communities then, how are they going to learn how to survive in a world that faces the ubiquitous trend of globalization without  traveling to other states and countries? Well, I suppose we could all read books?

Basically, the whole point of education is to fill the gaps in our understanding of the world. How you fill these gaps is important, but it is not the most important. The most important piece of knowledge acquisition and learning, is that you humbly accept that you know practically nothing, and try to fill that void in a responsible manner.

This always will require a balance. Don't rush to place any type of knowledge about another. Don't assume that because you experience something that it applies to everyone. Don't assume that someone who sees something differently from you is wrong.

People need to realize that being street smart and book smart compliment each other. The goal should be to believe that you have the capability to always test your "smarts" against each other. This is not purely an additive concept, this could be a destructive process as well. Giving up beliefs that are based on falsehoods and biases are just as valuable as exploring new ideas. When we become subjects of our experiences, rather than masters of them, we become susceptible to superficial understandings of complex ideas. However, when we explore our experiences, reflect on them, and then research them further, we begin to understand that they probably aren't unique, they probably have been long considered by others before us, and we can learn from their efforts and struggles.

Nepal Scratched an Itch

The Travel Itch!

I have recently been e-mailing back and forth with the Principal of the HS that I will be working at this summer in the Philippines, and it hit me, that I will be back in Southeast Asia again this summer.

And I can't wait. There is no greater impetus for creativity than in times when you must adapt to a changed environment. Suddenly, you have to stretch your imagination just to communicate with each other (yes, they speak English in the Philippines), but I will need to make new social paths through another complex social jungle of customs, beliefs and expectations.

You can not simply bulldoze your way through this jungle, for if you do, you risk losing much of its biodiversity (more than 20,000 native species). What is destroyed can never be reclaimed. Therefore, it is essential to tread lightly, leave a small footprint, and absorb all that the country and its people have to offer.

This is exactly what I intend to do. I got my Malaria medicine today. I have my Cipro, in case I eat something that doesn't agree with my stomach. Tomorrow, I get my first Japanese Encephalitis shot. I am immunized and ready to explore.

I am ready for another transformation.

Costco

I say it once more. Don't go to Costco hungry.

It is not like I spent money on gushers and cashews, but I definitely left with three types of deli meats when I probably only needed one.

A few more interesting outcomes of today's Costco run.

Our freezer is more stocked than our refrigerator. Got tomato sauce, but no pasta. Got brie, but no crackers.

All minor regrets and excesses aside, everything will be consumed and thoroughly enjoyed.

Comparative U.S. perspective

If context matters, and different populations are...well...different, then as a multicultural society, all U.S. citizens needs to study other cultures and population groups to help them better understand their own culture.

American culture is a panoply of other cultures. Most of us are immigrants, and that diversity should be a source of strength. If we take the opportunities to explore the true international heritage of our society, we will garner a better perspective on our strengths and weaknesses.

This is not just good for social cohesion, but it is great for our economic well being as well. The broader our perspective and knowledge base becomes, the greater our ability will be to innovate and solve complex problems. If the same group of people always comes up with the same conventional solutions, do you think anything will ever change?

While I think this is destined to happen in the future given the changing demographics of this country, it would be to everyone's benefit if this were not imposed upon our society, but rather accepted, embraced, and acted upon starting today (See future post on ACCEPTANCE vs. TOLERANCE).

Start by taking the time to learn about those that you might claim that you don't understand. Then, when you think you understand them, have the humility to realize that you DON'T, and collaborate with them  so that they can fill in the missing pieces. 

Multiculturalism requires symbiosis. The first step is learning to work together. The second is relying on each other. 

Back to Work

Every now and then you need to take three or maybe for steps back to lighten your allostatic load. Stress has detrimental effects on both your well being and your ability to learn, so take a break when you can.

This week has been therapeutic. This night has been refreshingly simple.

Television and nights out can be a healthy escape from time to time, but now it is time start shifting through the gears again.

Time to finish strong!

Where is the Horizon Line?

I was looking out the window at the ground. I wondered where the Himalayas were. I had been told that they were majestic, inspirational, unparallelled. So where are they? I look up. I admire the clouds, they are white and fluffy with some interesting contrasting shadows. I begin to try and find shapes in the clouds. Well, that one looks like a face, and that one looks like a mountain...no, wait, what? I pull out my camera. Zoom. Those are mountains.

Epic? Meh

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifPL5TPVi10

Nepal Debrief #1: Food

Nepalese food is very much like Indian food, plus Momo's (delicious dumplings). Lots of curry, vegetables, sauces, and some meat.

However, my stomach and taste buds need a break from those flavors at least every other day. I crave the basics: salt and pepper, meat and potatoes, cheese and bread.

This could be why on day three, I was extremely excited to find a store named "European Bakery" which was owned by a Nepalese women. It was a small bakery that was passed down to her by her father. 

I have never had a cheese croissant balance me out quite as nicely as the ones I ate in Nepal.

Nepal...Thinking.

First impressions and stream of conscious.

What is most different about my experience in Nepal from my trips to any other country , besides Korea, was that this was more for work and less for pleasure. When you are in an area for work you are looking at everything through a different lens. You are engaging with the city far below surface level. And although you begin to see the problems, you also see the endless potential.

I need more time to process this experience before I can really write about it in a manner that can do it justice.

Now back to my 16 layover in Doha!

Dulles International Terminal

When you are settled in to spend 10 hours at an international terminal, what should you do? Sure you may do your homework, you may get some food, but you definitely should take in the diversity.

I just went to Fuddruckers and the three groups sitting around me were all having conversations in different languages. How often does that happen? It also makes me question my once myopic, English centric, view of the world.

In HS, I felt that because English is becoming the Lingua Franca, there was no reason to invest myself into learning another language. Proving once again, teenagers know nothing!

Embedded in each one of these languages is history, culture, and thousands of years of development. Language emerged and transformed for a reason, and in reality, it will continue to do so. There is no reason to believe that English won't be supplanted in the future as well.

In fact, with the increased global focus on math and science, a language that has a base-10 counting system built into it may actually be the rational choice in regards to efficiency.

I think I am losing my point. Did I ever really have one? I suppose I didn't.

Well, now I have one. Embrace other languages, don't fear or belittle them. You might find that your suspicion and frustration may transform into curiosity.