This is a humorous lecture given with some serious underlying thoughts. Robinson outlines some thoughts about the education system and how it seems to strip child of the creativity. He argues that part of the reason for removing creativity is because sciences are revered as the “most important” subjects in school while the arts, and creative functions in particular, are considered lower forms of education and sometimes even despised. This hierarchy likely comes because schools were designed to make laborers, not thinkers.
Author: Daniel
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J.J. Abrams: The mystery box
Abrams discusses the incredible power and appeal of the unknown. He talks about how people are enthralled by the pursuit of that unknown and how we need some mystery in order enjoy life. He gives some practical advice for content production and some interesting stories from his own life.
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“Consequential Strangers” by Melinda Blau and Karen L Fingerman, PhD
This book provides interesting insight into the value of interacting casually with people we never intend to get to know. People like the grocery clerk, the bus driver or mailman, each provide us with a sense of emotional stability, physical health and random information that is often valuable and difficult for us to obtain.
Interesting tidbit: future employment is more likely to come from someone who knows someone you know than from someone you know.
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Sir Ken Robinson: Changing Paradigms
Robinson discusses the need to rebuild the underlying paradigm regarding our education system (he is English, but I think his views are still very applicable to USA). He proposes that we need to rebuild the system (a revolution) as opposed to progressing the system (an evolution). This is a call to start fresh.
Sir Ken Robinson – Changing Paradigms (RSA)
Changing Education Paradigms (RSA Animate)
Sir Ken Robinson: Bring on the learning revolution! (TED) -
“Polar Bears: A Complete Guide to Their Biology and Behavior” by Andrew E Derocher and Wayne Lynch
This book was an interesting exploration into the lives of everyone’s favorite white bears. It was fairly comprehensive and included some interesting facts about species connected to the polar bear as well (i.e. seals, birds and other bears).
Interest tidbit: Polar bear fur heat retention, when dry, is about 90% of that of the grizzly bear. Polar bear rely more on their fat storage than their fur coats for warmth.