"For a long time, as a high school dropout, I considered my education to be incomplete. One crucial bit of wisdom that I did arrive at eventually was this: One's education is never complete. A missed opportunity doesn't preclude the possibility of new opportunities, or even better ones."
So ends the book written by Michael J. Fox called A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Future. What constitutes an education, he asks? Real learning happens 'when it all goes skidding sideways' is the conclusion he comes to.
Fox divides part of this book into chapters entitled Comparative Literature, Geography, Physics, Political Science, and other university courses. Then he goes on to explain how he learned through real life education. With a sense of humor, personal stories, and anecdotes he guides the reader to see that education is certainly not limited to or maybe not even best experienced in an institution.
I was unaware when I put a hold on this book,that it was written to university graduates, and I do think it would be a valuable little gift. It's compact and very readable.. I finished it in a matter of a few hours.
I was pleasantly surprised to find this book. It confirmed to me yet again that education is a lifestyle and a purposeful choice, not something you survive for 12 years (and then another two or more) and then -- VOILA! -- you're educated! It's what you do with the rest of your life. I don't know if you can be forced to be educated. Some learning can be forced, I suppose, but true education must include the will of the person. It's an attitude and a mindset of learning. There has to be a 'want to'.
I believe that sometimes it takes a while to gain back the love of learning. Sometimes, for a variety of reasons, it seems lost. I think it's just hiding, though. Whether recovery happens in your 20's, 30's, 40's, or even longer...it is definitely worth pursuing.
What do you think?
Oh you know me. I just lurve the learnin' my whole life long.
ReplyDeleteCuriosity is a very good thing, as it leads to wanting to find out things for the simple sake of knowing. The one great advantage of the internet is that you can learn enough very easily to decide if you are curious enough about the subject to take the time to really learn about it.
ReplyDeleteIt's those among us who are curious, who want to learn for learnings' sake, who have spurred most of the advancements in this world.
I almost bought this book the other day! Now I'll definitely read it.
ReplyDeleteI've had my eye on that book for awhile too. I will definitely put that on my reading list.
ReplyDeleteI feel like I'm re-learning all the things I learned in kindergarten...How to sit quietly,how to listen to THE TEACHER!!,how to forgive,how to play,how to try new things ,how to trust,how to be free,how to share,how to grow and how to accept.
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