Wednesday, February 2, 2011
“The Joy of Reading and Writing: Superman and Me” Dialogue
There are different categories of smart. Book smart and street smart. I still don't know which one is better, although I'm tending to lean on the street smart side. The U.S. defines smarts as obtaining a certain amount of professional eduction in an accredited school. Not too many years ago, humanity depended on survival smart and not who could do the hardest math problem. Over time when our country and communities developed, our survival needs were met by big industries and available for a reasonable price. Then the standards then went to who put their brain to the max and who knew the most educational information. We learn how to be smart mainly from some sort of schooling, then from experience. Although, in Superman and Me, he learned first from experience, then from formal education. We need both to really make out OK in this life. I know some extremely smart stupid people.
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Hi Ariana,
ReplyDeleteI think trying to pick which type of "smart" is better would be very hard in this age you and I live in. I agree, it takes a certain amount of both to be successful. Years ago, I'm sure everyone was under the assumption that you HAD to go to college, because, well, that's what you're supposed to do! It's part of getting smart. But in todays world, it's been proven by very successful people that they didn't use a formal education to get where they are in life.
Hi Ariana,
ReplyDeleteHow true your statements are. I have advanced in my career and what got me there had nothing to do with the education that I received or am still receiving. There are things that can only be learned by trials and experience. In a sense, street smarts can be more essential to survival than book smarts. There are many successful individuals in the world that have not obtained degrees but have been successful through their drive and ambition.
Mandy
Ariana,
ReplyDeleteOur priorities change over time. What was once important, is no longer relevant a decade afterwards. It's all a matter of perspective and skills needed for survival. Even though in the past math wasn't very important, now it's very useful and almost vital if you intend to get far in life. You won't be a failure if you can't do advanced math, but basic math is usually needed for any career.
Times change and it's in our best interest to change as well, but it's also important to remember that academic education doesn't define somebody. You can be extremely smart, but when it comes to other aspects of life, you're not as talented. It depends on the individual. We're all different and we can't base who we are on one thing. Stereotypes aren't useful, they just tend to distort our perception of others.