Knowlege?

     How do we learn? The typical answer would be: "in school, of course". But I don't believe that that suggestion even begins to complete the answer. It's true, we do learn and acquire some skills and "knowledge" in school, but is it really that useful? I remember thinking to myself and verbally expressing that "I don't need to know this!" "They" told me I was wrong.......but as it turns out, I was right, or at least think I am. The education system will indeed provide someone with knowledge in the subjects of math, science, reading, writing etc. But do these really help us as people? Are we really gaining knowledge? If or when someone decides to learn a specific skill, trade, profession, or degree in an area they choose to be expert in, they will learn the necessary skills needed to perform their "duty". The things I learned about in school were a real bore to me, which is probably why I despised the thought of attending. However, now I do realize that there is indeed a very big flaw with the education system. I'm not sure if the result is intentional or not, that's not the point, and we know pointing the finger won't address the problem anyway.
     In this system the teacher/state are the ones asking the questions. The state outlines a curriculum, that is standardized for all public schools, the teacher then uses the outline as a point of reference of what to teach. I'm not condemning the teachers, they're simply doing what they were taught to do. It goes full circle. I would like to see the teachers challenge the system though.
     The current system does a fantastic job of killing curiosity. YOU  go to school, YOU learn to participate in the topics that WE fell YOU need to learn. Everything else is irrelevant, anything outside of what we teach you will not be useful in your life. Questions that arise in a students mind that lie outside of the curriculum are A) unanswered B)shunned C)considered distractions and are promptly discouraged and left behind, only to answer the "right" questions. I believe this part of the system is completely backwards. I usually learn by asking questions, and believe this applies to most people. So why? are the teachers asking the questions? They should be answering them, or at least allowing the student to research and answer them on their own. This would not only be more satisfying to the student, but I think it would be a more efficient way for the student to discover what they really enjoy, and if they decide to pursue a career in that particular field, will most likely be happier, and very good at what they do.
     The present scenario produces an environment of conditioning. The attempt, I believe, to push for competitiveness, which leads to social comparison also but that's a whole topic on its own. "I have to get an "A" in order to be successful, and accepted by my peers; and I want my family to be proud of me." Once again, it goes full circle. Students are actually competing for approval, this indirectly and sub-consciously plays into the capitalist agenda. They're not striving for A's because they really are interested in learning specific material that is regurgitated by the state. They're doing this because they're "supposed" to.
     This also plays another social role, a pattern which is carried on later in life. The student is required to, get up, eat, go to school, come home and repeat. Sounds a lot like the many people who are unhappily employed to me. YOU will come here at a designated time, decided by US. YOU will perform specific tasks, designated by US, when WE, say so. Sounds like the real lesson being taught is obedience, and it seems to be being learned, very well. We don't have to act like animals just because we don't earn the material taught by the system. However, those who do learn and live by the system's idea of education, DO act like animals...trained and tamed. The kind that people take home, because they have been disciplined, they are "safe". They no longer have a spirit to live in them, it seems they are mindless. Which means they don't question their surroundings, their environment....They don't question their "masters" and that's if they even realize that they do have one. After all, we can't have people running around doing as they please! discovering their true desires! and actually pursuing happiness!...what a dangerous concept.
     With this said how and who are we to learn from? It's something we already do but I believe it has been overlooked. We learn from our friends and family, and equally, maybe sometimes more importantly, we learn from life experience. I've always said "mistakes" are great as long you learn something from them. We learn from hard times, good times, and everything in between. We can learn how to help each other by observing others help us or by recognizing someone else's charitable contribution to aid another. When we suffer, we need to use it as a learning experience. We can then use our experiences to possibly help a friend or family member, or anyone else. However, many lessons cannot be taught. We can attempt to learn from another's words, but somethings need to be experienced to truly understand them. We need suffering to really embrace joy. Happiness is a much more incredible sensation, after experiencing sadness. I'll speak from experience, but can't justify or describe what scarcity does for abundance. In order to end suffering we need to experience it. These are the truly useful lessons. This is what keeps us "moving". Ask yourself what motivates you everyday, whatever the answer is then as why? then ask why? again and repeat.
     Life is something, that can't be taught. It's full of questions and I hope you're embracing every answer, and there are no wrong ones! Life or the "day to day" can get repetitive regardless of what you're doing. So in order to avoid patterns and the repeating of the day before, break the shackles of safety and what's "realistic". Get out of your comfort zone and change your surroundings and current situation. I believe, it's a good exercise for the individual that forces them to confront, learn, and embrace fear teamed with new and un-ordinary experiences.

                WHEN YOU REACH THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN, KEEP CLIMBING!!!!