It’s easy to criticize modern education for focusing too much on memorization over critical thinking skills. When people hear about kids memorizing the state capitals, the comments that emerge are always something about how students should be taught think critically and that modern education is the equivalent of a collection of trivia. This argument is partially true. While things are rapidly changing, many students are subjected every day to the memorization of facts masquerading as knowledge.

+++ title = “08” date = 2019 +++ One of the most amazing examples of fear based motivation was at my orthodontist’s office when I had braces as a child. These appointments would consist of approximately 60 minutes of waiting time (which meant lots of Archie comics), a 20 minute adjustment, and then the orthodontist would come out and ask me to bite a lot and then send me on my way.

+++ title = “07” date = 2019 +++ On my third birthday, after getting terrified by a gigantic mouse at Chuck E Cheese, I came home to open presents. The first gift I unwrapped was a camera. It was a fisher price one that actually used film, and I didn’t care about any other gifts after I opened that one. The reason I was so obsessed was because my dad had a camera.

+++ title = “07” date = 2019 +++ In one of his lectures, Alan Watts points out the value of the word Om. I used to think chanting was silly, and things like the singing bowl has been categorized as “props” for meditation. But props can be useful. Props are what connect practice to reality, in some ways. The value of Om, as Watts puts it, is that it uses all of the different parts of your mouth to make it, from the back of your throat (Auuuu) to your lips (mmm).

One trend in productivity right now is hyperscheduling, which means to plan your day hour by hour. The idea is that it’s easier to stick to your tasks and habits if they’re on some kind of calendar. People who use systems like these also tend to schedule their free time activities too, like watching TV or reading. It sounds over the top, but it works. And the structure, for some, gives the day a feeling of completeness in a modern age where days never feel complete (like scrolling through an endless feed…)