Just a simple thought on my early years. Over the years my eyes have been opened and I begin to question what I regarded as conventional wisdom. I guess I have always been something of an anomaly in my environment. Not to disparage anyone in particular, but the world I grew up in actively and passively dissuaded any pursuit of intellectualism. This mentality was so firmly rooted within the education establishment and social construct that intellectuals were consistently branded as less useful to society and worthy of persecution. Rather, the vague idea of a 'wholesome' individual was mooted and idealized. Somehow, a student who dabbled in some sports and mugged consistently to regurgitate successfully during examinations was the Adonis that every student should aspire to be. Shallow, no?
I call it Third World Mentality.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Education
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
Sorry to disagree, contrary to what you think, most people would hold intellectuals in a very good light( lots of kids want to grow up being scientists or professors).
Your definition of what is "wholesome", is of your own opinion, and if one really thinks about it, views on what "wholesome" actually is varies from individual to individual.
"a student who dabbled in some sports" Do I detect some jealousy and bitterness here?
I reckon its good to have a healthy respect for what education brings and what physical exersion (what you called "dabbled in sports") do to your overall physical wellbeing. Going to either extremes does you no good.
My 2 cents.
Anon's views clearly show naivity, or a lack of understanding on how the malaysian education system function. Seriously, do you think you will be exalted because you are intellectually superior compared to others?No, mugging constantly has only one fate, you get the label-nerd. This is a fact of the world, intellectuals are underappreciated, whether in school, or society as a whole.
Anonymous 1,
As your comment demonstrates apparent naivety (or should I say blatant ignorance) in regards to the education system, I will not even bother arguing with you, much less dignifying your ad hominem offensive. Get out of your glass bubble or shut up.
Thanks.
I think you fail to understand the point I'm trying to make. I now see that based on your comment your post was critiquing the Malaysian education system? I can see that the next poster makes some ad hominem arguments himself regarding my post as do you, Joel. I clearly did not mean or assume that intellectuals are "exulted". Although, in general they are well respected in society as a whole because of their unique contributions to society. There was nothing in my post that indicated or equated intellectuals with "nerds" and your post stating that "No, mugging constantly has only one fate, you get the label-nerd." is obviously an appeal to ridicule.
My point was that thinking in either extremes of thought won't get you anywhere (whether "a student who dabbled in some sports and mugged consistently to regurgitate successfully during examinations" or someone purely intellectual who thinks of nothing but study or as another anonymous poster states "nerds"). This is not dependent of how your government thinks or how X group thinks.
Perhaps my point regarding your bitterness and jealousy was too close to home?
I clearly meant no offense with my post and given that you study at ANU currently(which I assume you do, correct me if I'm wrong), you have the best of both worlds. You may not be able to change how your government thinks but you can change yours.
Mr "anonymous",
you've got to be kidding me.
you come to joel's blog under the pseudonym 'anonymous' posting comments and wild assumptions like:
"Do I detect some jealousy and bitterness here?"
"Perhaps my point regarding your bitterness and jealousy was too close to home?"
then turn around saying you mean no offense?
and correct me if i'm wrong, but readers of Joel's blog knows the frequency of which he updates, and yet you're seen visiting the site on a frequent basis after your comment.
if you're looking for trouble, kindly refrain from doing so at other's blog.
if you think your views are definite, kindly start your own blog where we will be able to leave our views, end it with a "i mean no offense" and sign off as anonymous
Post a Comment