July 25, 2009
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Forking lightning
It is difficult to make people think exactly what you are thinking. Say one more word or one less word than is needed, and their thought will not quite line up with yours. Thus, the ever elusive goal is to say exactly enough words to cause your thoughts in others.
Education is often spoiled by the belief that learning is not a conversation. Teachers seem to assume the role of reporters who must explain to students what others have concluded about the world. But why did they conclude thus? For what reason did someone arrive at this piece of knowledge? This is completely left out of the experience of education, and it is because people assume that learning is not a conversation.
Does this make us less than human? For it leaves many people assuming they are not participants in the the conversation of humanity. Indeed, humanity has a very low participation rate, even among humans.
Wake up in the morning—time to hit the books? No, for we must never forget, ‘with fear and trembling!’ Seek salvation before looking for God in the intellect.
It is too bad we cannot say, ‘Life is very long, but goes quickly’ or, ‘Life moves alongs slowly, but is rather short’—but no, instead we must say, ‘Life is short, and fading quickly!’
Farewell friends! Live a good day!
Comments (3)
Because my words have forked no lightning, I will not go gentle into that good night.
There are a lot of aphorisms I could come up for the word “Life.”
And most of them are mixtures of sarcasm, poetry and song lines.
That thinking vs. verbalizing my thoughts adequately is a big struggle. I wonder why it has to be so difficult?
I suppose the confusion could be traced back to the Tower of Babel or something.