No Adam Left Behind (updated 2/15/24)
No Adam Left Behind
Maybe It’s just the calorie deficit talking, but I don’t believe that this is a God-inspired composition, but one painstakingly wrought from an unwilling mind trying to regurgitate a latent sentiment produced whilst reading Dante a fortnight from past Tuesday; nevertheless (!): why on earth was I wasting time in high school studying the Great Gatsby, or To Kill a Mocking Bird, or Pride and Prejudice? I should have been reading books like Creativity Inc., The One Minute Manager, and Thinking Fast and Slow ($): books that have real value in the workplace where the average man must live: books that could better buttress and inspire workplace innovation: books that help man better understand his nature and the mechanisms one can employ to improve it. There is a place for the Classics, but that should be encouraged reading—not mandatory (*). So, let’s leave Macbeth to his witch orgy and let’s focus on on inspiring our future workers.
Additionally, English classes should emphasize the varying forms
of business writing: such as e-mail correspondence etiquette, memo composition,
and autodidact methods applicable for learning and the writing process ("). Material should be taught ad nauseum until—without
a doubt—the student understands the nuances of effectively communicating with a
superior using varying communication forums (^).
The
average receptionist and customer service representative doesn’t have to quote
Shakespeare ( https://youtu.be/ph9UeBy15OI )., but they do need to know how to
navigate an excel spreadsheet, query a
table in Access (or whatever), and communicate effectively with a higher-up who
did have to go to college to understand the specifics of his or her pursuit. So, it’s essential that high school english
classes produce individuals capable of serving those who are directing
the course of humanity and workplace greatness.
Let’s
face it: There is a greater plan and the human drama is just entertainment. Do you really think they would chance the future
to chance? I think by this time most of
us should have realized with the release of movies like Gattaca, Total Recall, and Mars Attacks ( https://youtu.be/2BFILhtWdq0 ) that there is a greater mission: Space colonization. And it is our responsibility to produce
humans who contribute to that end—or at least ones that don’t interfere with it. Of course, I’m getting off topic and I’m only
speaking from my recognition of what I see—not necessarily what is or what should be: I am not that
smart. However, I do recognize the
storyline produced on the magic box—and like Warren Buffett, I see the
trends.
There
should be a class exploring common-man insights and innovations that led to
multi-million dollar corporate savings—like the Walmart associate who
substituted a stepping apparatus no one would use because of its “clunky”
nature for a smaller version instead, which apparently led to big savings in
shipping costs (John Oliver Tonight reference).
Steven Johnson wrote several books exploring innovations from
unexpected places: like the Indian doctor who came to America on holiday and
visited a McDonald’s tour on a whim.
That visit led him to an insight: how can I produce the McDonald’s of cataract
surgeries. Afterwards, he developed an
optimized process that made twenty-dollar eye surgeries possible.
Additionally,
I think that gym class curriculum should be revised: There should be an option
for weight room access for those not wanting to participate in the sport
selected by the gym teacher. We should
be producing stronger individuals capable of unloading product from trucks—not
worrying if Adam can throw a baseball to someone thirty yards away. To motivate weight room participation, there
should be material on-hand directing them to self-selected desirable results. Students must recognize that a stronger squat
today will lead to an easier workday tomorrow. Physical work is easy to plug in to when you’re superior to the task at
hand.
The same is true for mental endeavors. I knew my future quantum physics career was over when I was ousted from Mrs. Doyle’s sixth grade math class for my Skittle barrage--yet they still kept me on the math leash. What a waste of tax-payer money (That resource room teacher could have assisted me with hyphen rules). Yes, it's true that understanding the logical process derived from struggling with the material can be of great use in any workplace, but there are other ways to facilitate logical understanding (@). This is why I practice LSAT, MCAT, and The Critical Reader Question of the Day regularly (^$). Learning how to hone in on what the question is asking and being able to keep multiple variables in the mind at once has been of great use —but I still don’t know what 5 + a = 2 – b = y. I have no idea. Is that even a question? (::)
Anyway, there’s a reason some kids don’t care about school—and that’s because they have tremendous foresight regarding their future opportunities, so why not keep them engaged and prepare them on how to navigate their likely work-life scenarios. Let’s be honest with our kids and direct them to fields of play where they can contribute--or even conquer--lest Adam gets bored or frustrated and decides to throw skittles.
Much grief could be avoided if people come into scenarios prepared. I know implementing any of these practical insights require a great deal of character—as curriculum reformation requires rocking the boat—but I believe in course correction (pun intended, I guess [contemplative emoji face]). And I do believe that the common man does have something to contribute to the greater mission, but it’s not a complementary stanza to Homer ( https://youtu.be/0O-wLddVvIE ).
!
- okay, just kidding—but it could have been. I actually found out that Dante is not for everyone :(. But there is a free course on it by Hillsdale College that delightfully explains all of that which I failed to comprehend. Seriously, it is pretty good. I also advocate the one on Faust, Lewis, and Churchill too! TMI.
@ - Besides, teachers never have a good reply when a student asks, "why do I have to learn this?" A great reply, especially in this math scenario, would be something like this: "because struggling with this material and understanding the logical processes will help you, on a neurological level, better solve problems encountered in your profession." Is that true? I have no idea, but I'm sure Andrew Huberman can substantiate that claim. Personally, I believe that working through LSAT questions help focus and organize the mind--and I'm sure the same is true working through mathematical processes.
I will have to revisit this. Ship and iterate!
$ - The Social Animal, Innovation and Entreprenuership, How Google Works, Walking With Einstein, Never Split The Difference, How To Talk To Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere, Behave, Mind Wide Open, The Innovator's Cookbook, Rework, and Where Good Ideas Come From are also books that could be of great use to the common high school student. And though I don't like the hippy dippy connotation that the title implies, The Four-Hour Workweek has amazing efficiency tips therein [There is a reason he only had to work 4 hours a week] (*#).
* - Unless you want the students to produce their own work replicating the writing style of the selected author--since that would produce at least confidence, if not an understanding of the logical composition of the selected reading material. Although I could see how following the storyline of a complicated piece produced by Shakespeare could be of value, but still I think that practical reads that motivate the workforce should be the primary concern.
^ - As an aside, with the advent of Google, everyone is able to find the answers they are looking for--if only they can phrase their question succinctly. The real question becomes: is the question worth a Google? If it is, make sure you isolate key phrases with quotation marks for the most relevant results.
:: - Looky-looky, I found a cookie. Though I'd be lying if I said that this is a novel question, but its recurrence is serendipitous nonetheless. And though this might not prove my stance, it certainly validates the raising of my assertion (Exhibition A). Moreover, even the best get it wrong sometimes, including test administrators (Exhibition B). Perhaps this is why Jesus had to come and die for our sins (Exhibition C). So we can set the wrong right (Exhibition D).
Exhibition A
I think we got education ass-backwards. We're paying them to learn about their values while supporting their lifestyles. Shouldn't we be paying them to reinforce our values so that we can support our lifestyles? I get it: We listen to the important people because the important people can tell us what is important, but do we really have to pay to learn about the sculptural transformation of Michelangelo's David throughout the Renaissance. I think that if we're ordering the meal, we should at least determine what's on the plate. ( https://youtu.be/haPtjrnVwBw )
Come One, Come All
I recently read that Pixar has a practice of teaming up a lighting guy with an animator and a director with a janitor to create not only a sense of unity and empathy among the whole organization but also insights that could lead to further innovation ( https://youtu.be/HsfFYm1NROA ) [2:10]).Perhaps a similar application could be used inside educational institutions. I remember when I was a history major during my time at university, an acquaintance of mine--who happened to be an English major--wowed me with an applicable fun fact: the conjunction and can be used at the beginning of a sentence. Being a mediocre student at a public high school, I was never informed of this possibility. Now, I don't remember much from my brief time as a history buff, but I do remember having to write a lot of essays. Anyway, staying on point, I think that university students should conglomerate with each other--one or several persons from each major--and share a few disciplinary insights that could be applicable for the common person, whatever their endeavor. Then, an online hub could be established relaying the insights to the greater student body. Or, even better, a video or audio recording could be distributed.
Additionally, perhaps the online discussion board should be open to all within a particular major before the big day, and students within the selected major can all contribute to idea generation. The issues will be decided upon by vote--or by the students with highest rank--as to determine what will be imparted during Notes Day. A PowerPoint presentation should be conducted on Notes Day by the most eager and qualified student from each major relaying the advice generated from their particular discipline. Perhaps this could also be a great idea at the high school level too, but with a more general focus (a great idea is a great idea anywhere). Perhaps a supplementary copy of the presentation should be included with every yearbook purchase.
It's not that the insights gleaned from each discipline aren't available elsewhere, it's just that the people outside of the know don't know what they don't know--rehashing some Rummy for old times' sake.
^$ - A great addition to The Question of The Day toolset would be a daily Excel and Access practice question. How can they expect an excelling workforce if people can't access work-related scenarios at home? Homework shouldn't end upon graduation.
&*& - Personally, I studied paper corrections and Googled for clarification. Sooner or later, technical jargon like "coordinating conjunction" made sense. I'm even brave enough now to say it to others--hypothetically speaking. Also, memorization and reverse engineering assists with the learning process too!
*$* - What every organization should do, especially for low-wage workers, is to REQUIRE every associate to memorize key SPANISH words that could direct the immigrant to the desired end. For instance, grocery workers would have to learn words like CARNE and AQUA. Ideally, you could work your way down the decision tree: "DAIRY? NO? MEAT? NO? BAKED GOODS, Yes. Tranquilo, it's in aisle quatro ma'am." (Obviously the Spanish Decision Tree would have to be logically composed, but that was really profound and possible future corporate policy, no? In fact, I can see how the decision tree transcends language barriers, and could be applied to every mode requiring efficiency or absolute compliance--like policing. #ReimaginePolicing.)
No need to hire competitive immigrants to better cater to competitive immigrants! Just teach the SPANISH Decision Tree to all employees! (Reference Point @ 3:00: https://lnkd.in/e59bhuzN )
***Plus, you really don't want a drawn out conversation anyway, unless it's geared towards selling additional product. So in some industries, being perceived as unfamiliar with the customer's native tongue could be quite business savvy--as it keeps the ball rolling in the right direction. I know it sounds rude, but better businesses tend to be more efficient.
*# - Book List Update (I can't believe I have to say this--since no one cares--but just because I recommend a book doesn't mean that I recommend everything in that book: I might just recommend a few key points).
New book recommendations: The Creativity Code. The New Science of Radical Innovation
*$* - Three Philosophical Poets - Lucretius, Dante, Goethe by Santayana is an extremely beneficial study for writers. The 4-Hour Work Week by Ferris is great for the efficiency mindset
*$*I find that posting something funny that I conjure on the snap or dating website--since those are my only socials--often makes me feel good and that puts me in a mood to create further. This has noticeably gotten me out of a slump at times. It gets my mind engaged and happy.
*$* - When you read something, weigh it against everything you currently know. I think doing so reorients your knowledge base more efficiently. It's a slower process, but ideally you're synthesizing information in the moment. You're changing the mind that you've already made up. I think this is what is meant by active reading. I think this is what happens on an intuitive level for intelligent people.
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