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.