School vs. Learning

I've always believed that school is a place for learning. Of course, there are various things to learn outside of class. And that's fine and good. But I take particular issue with classes where the teachers seem unable to actually teach anything in class, and you are instead left to your own devices.

This happened in my two chemistry classes in undergrad. Ok, there were three classes. But I dropped out of organic chemistry. Why? There didn't seem to be any "teaching". Instead, they said, "read this text book, then passively view these notes I put up on the over head while I drone on and on about things." I was unable to pay the least bit of attention. So I stopped. The only reason I continued my first two chemistry courses (and, in the end, did quite well) is because my TA and the two lab partners I had took the time to teach me. Were it not for them, I likely would have failed those two classes. Or at least came damn close. Sadly, there was no discussion or lab in my organic chemistry. My original lab partners were also not in my class. So - I dropped out after my first exam.

I am currently experiencing a similar circumstance in law school. There is little teaching going on in my writing class - instead, I'm given a new assignment, then feedback later, but it seems we are instead left to figure this out on our own. And, furthering this frustration, we are severely limited in communicating with classmates or other people for fear that we will cheat or some such thing. Which, while tempting, I realize wouldn't do me a damn bit of good once I actually got into practice. Also, the class seems to be made up as they go along. And it isn't done well. For anyone that ever watched improv comedy done poorly - it seems like that. Everyone sort of cringes and wishes it was better. But it's not.

*sigh* Just had to get that out there. Wherever "there" is.

Clarity

Hmmm....maybe I should clarify that last post. Let me strongly state that this is not a "white supremacy" thing. Far from it. I just think there is a lack of identity and family. I think perhaps things got too big and we lost track as we tried to make a "melting pot" instead of a "salad".

But . . . but . . . but . . . our's IS to reason why!

Alright, so after I did a search to find out who first said this, it turns out it was Tennyson but the line was "Their's not to reason why, their's but to do and die."

Which does nothing to change the question of "why start a blog?" To waste time, really. To attempt some semblance of achieving an "internet community", which is quite ridiculous. The internet has worked well in destroying our sense of community. As has technology as a whole. People interact with each other less. We prefer the safety and security of hiding behind our computers.

So who am I to do any different?

Perhaps we would do better to return to a clan/tribe type of system. We have all worked so hard to assimilate ourselves. But what has been gained? How much has been lost, as we blend our cultures together. And by "we", I speak more of those of European descent now living in the United States. Many minorities have kept their subcultures, for better and for worse. In my mind, it seems better. It keeps them together. (Of course, I could be wrong about this. I'm just making this up at the moment.) But perhaps we would do better to create a new culture. How does one do this? How do you create a culture?
I don't know.

Wait for it . . .

More to come later.