- Locke’s Book on Education, Image via Wikipedia
According to the 2010 Handbook published by the University of Toronto Students’ Union, “after tuition fees were eliminated in Ireland, the [their] economy was the strongest in the European Union for 5 years in a row.” It is important to realize that student loans can motivate young adolescents to enter higher education. However, it is also important to understand that “one in four university bachelor grads report difficulties making student loan payments,” according to the U of T handbook. Ultimately higher education prepares the next generation for the issues and problems that have confronted those generations before. Hence it seems only reasonable that we, as humans, should make it more accessible to those who otherwise would not have entered a University or College. Not every parent can afford to pay for their children’s education, which is partially why student loans exist in the first place. Not only do they teach teenagers about financial responsibility, but they also reward them for their academic achievements and integrity, without which, many of the brightest minds on this planet simply would be lost in a void. That, however is not completely true, as Universities and Colleges alike have not always been in existence. When you refer civilizations in the past, not all of them had buildings designed for numerous students to enter it’s premises and learn. What possible happened instead was one-on-one teaching or small classes involving those seeking to spread knowledge and those interested in receiving it. So let me reword that prior sentence by saying that without student loans, those otherwise financially not able to afford university or college, would have to seek elsewhere to expand their education and hopefully earn a decent living. At the end of the day, education is essential for the betterment of not only a nation, but for the betterment of it’s people. What kind of education, and the contents of the lesson plans being taught, are up for another debate, but it is vital to visualize a future where education is available to all, than visualize a future where education was a thing of the past.
When some people think of Socialism, the images of Cuba and Stalin come to mind. Both examples of what can happen if the practice of socialism itself is only utilized on one side of the political spectrum. Yet when people associate a word, such as socialism, a word with broad definitions, to critical points of human history that aren’t necessarily positive, they create fear that spreads through and through. Fear of the past. Fear of what is means to start adopting socialist ideas. Because when you slowly open the door to socialism, it barges in and overruns your society (sarcastic voice). Ultimately it doesn’t matter what you call government-run programs. As long as they effectively fulfil a desired need most people will not mind. However, the conflict usually begins when speculation arises of peoples’ rights being stripped away from them. Rights such as those highlighted in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is vital to examine everything critically and thoroughly. Without crucial examination assumptions are made that usually spread a generalization or stigma. Ultimately language is key to the entire understanding of Socialism. Language is communication and it is through communication that ideas are expanded upon the roots from their creation. Hence it is vital to communicate our own definition of what we believe Socialism is, or rather what aspects of it, for the betterment of humanity, should be left out.
Links:
More about the Political Spectrum: http://www.politicalcompass.org/analysis2
If you have ever heard of the I.Q. test, you have also probably heard that it is not often reflective of a person’s true intellect. That is because intelligence often differs. For example, a graduate from one of the top-ranking universities on the planet and a hiker, can both differ in terms of knowledge. Sticking with this example, the graduate might be able to communicate effectively the difference between a photon and an proton while a hiker might be able to effectively demonstrate an understanding of local wildlife and geography. Both equally certified in their respective fields, while both maintain a different knowledge base.
Most importantly, looking at the image to your right of The Oxford English Dictionary, how we define intelligence is crucial to understand it and will play a vital role in the future of human exploration of space. Like a dictionary’s own unique definition, intelligence, often judged by first impressions, rely on ones own interpretation to define it for that applicable case study. Say we encountered life on a planet not too far from our own solar system, the questions we, as humans, would have would infinite. Yet, if this newly discovered life form failed to answer our questions, it is important for us not to automatically categorize it as ‘stupid’ or worse.
In conclusion, intelligence is one word open to many different interpretations. If our ancestors saw us now, would they call us stupid or awe in our achievements as a species? And would those from the future, when examining their past, label us as remarkably advanced with our iPod‘s or primitive? Most likely the latter of the two, but ultimately intelligence is not static but dynamic, changing as our own understanding of knowledge expands and always open to debate as to what constitutes as intelligent behaviour. As long as there is life there will always be intelligence but how we perceive it is just a question, of perspective.
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