Do Schools Kill Creativity

A video which became the inspiration of my last post...This is good stuff, TED is a good thing =)

ENJOY and ENLIGHTEN yourself...

Formal Education against Creativity and Ambitions..Oil and Water..

So finally a blog post on the Education System of Malaysia.. Though, this is no usual rant and complaint you have heard from any parent. Screw the timing, screw the syllabus, screw the Bahasa Malaysia or English compromise. What's more important is the outcome; and that ain't good.

Not only does our formal education inhibits our creativity but the ability to dream big, to follow our ambitions, to prove, how smart we really are. The syllabus by itself is a drag for the students, but, the way it is taught makes it worse, the stress cause by the thought of the coming Public Exam, made it a kettle of water pouring into a larger pot of boiling oil (please, do not try this at home). There's nothing to blame here except ourselves.

First of all, the core subjects, English & Math; compared to many other nations, we have the slowest bloody syllabus for a country as modern as ours. The pain is when the last three years (Form 4, 5 & 6), everything is rather cramped up; making complacency and sudden accumulation of stress a common enemy. Still, as we head out into a private university, some students are no match. It does not make any sense. What's more stressful? the addition of new subjects (after streaming) during the years which these cores are "crammy".

Bio, Chem and Physics in two years for me was fun, though, it could have been more fun, I mean, the practical work that we got were all boring. The teachers are usually afraid that we may break something or the school does not have enough apparatuses. So, at an average, the sciences were boring, coming into Form 4, it was already stressful having the thought that SPM was at the end of the next year. For a sixteen year-old, it ain't fun. All we needed was a different approach to learning, once in awhile. Is it bad for all teachers to used one simple and fun way if it is effective? I wonder what do the teachers do in conferences?

STPM was the next likely (supposedly) step for a Malaysian. But no, it is not, its not popular because its just unnecessarily difficult, waste of one and a half years and it does not prep people for university. It's funny how you learnt so much but other people from say, foundation courses, do better. Its a do or die situation, 5 or 4 A's or you won't get to do what you really want to do. The other problem is, you'd have no idea how to do research papers and assignments the way universities want you too, so no matter how smart you are, you might just get stuck.

I think formal education drains the creativity and the ability to think from our brains; as it was mostly used for memorizing things. It had brainwashed into a community who does not criticize properly, foresight-less, and a follower of any system. Like our days in school, if we didn't like it, we'd complaint amongst our friends and throw insults at our teachers or talked behind their backs. Looks fucking similar in the whole country; political situations, religious compromise, human rights, and quality or living and service; if we have a problem, we tolerate, but tolerance has its limits you see.

For people in the creative field, after getting out of school, they'd never feel the same about creating things; "finally, the freedom, but I feel rusty, and my vision is boxed in". Many have great talent you may argue, but can they do their potential best. Just maybe, if their skills were sharpened at an early age, they'd would have the thought and experience to do better.

They say it is difficult to find what you love. It's different actually, I think it is difficult to keep loving or in love with something. Like for me, I always had a fascination in Particle Physics; sounds big, but its something I am interested in; people around me weren't dreaming as big and formal education had boxed me in. I'd just waste my time if I learnt art or biology but I did it, and liked it, hence, indecisiveness. Many people are like that all over the world. Our brains are used up by things that do not really matter. What's the good in being knowledgeable or an all-rounder when you still do not get to indulge in an interest.

I hate that Chinese mentality about getting a good job for money, hence a good marriage and then a good life. Somehow, it's stuck in every teenager's mind; although I am not a conformer and hated to be one, there's no choice, I had to compromise. If I had a choice, Particle Physics under some willing professor... but no, I need formal fuckeducation.

Practice makes perfect;

So theoretically, if a student loves design and follows a path that leads here there, doing design all the way, having surface knowledge of important things; she'd be a better designer than a girl who'd studied biology, chemistry and physics until college?

If that's true, formal education is just conned up........

BTW, why the hell does the art stream in Malaysia not have design or proper art? Or even art classes that thought the techniques of drawing and painting rather than "Here's an art block, do something nice".

Another Attempt at Being Nostradamus...

So Nostradamus' paintings suggests that there will be a man, an anti-Christ who would start the end of the world or at least be another factor.

So I thought, maybe its Nostradamus himself, making everyone believe in his visions of such future or an inevitable end; besides, during his time, as he wrote such predictions and drew such paintings, he was almost an anti-Christ himself. Anything like that, astrology, and predicting the future with his methods were against the church. So maybe the collective belief of this blinking phenomena in our petty minds would sum up into some kind of a sub-conscious-self-manifesting-propaganda reaction?

Oh, how about that lil thing between the Christians and the Muslims? nah, too uncivilized...I hope they notice it whoever who plans such weird battles..

Television; More than Meets the Eye (Reasearch Project Declassified)

“No other medium can match television for the volume of popular cultural texts it produces and the sheer size of the audiences” (Barker 2003). This is true as watching the television has become such a daily routine for most people; especially in most children who spend more time watching the television than any other activities, besides sleeping, (according to kidshealth.org). Besides, the television also has the same influence on the older generations. Thus, it is obvious that the television can pose as a negative influence and have adverse effects on our society; because firstly, the television was responsible of racism and stereotyping late in the past millennium; secondly, it depicts risky behaviours in youngsters; and finally, the television may cause health issues.

The first example can be the part played by the television in the question of racism. Barker (2003) suggested that people of colour was simply neglected by the television or film producers. Until the new millennia the number of African Americans in TV shows was significantly low. This suggested that somehow the white Americans were ignorant of the black people and their culture. This causes racism to spread. Even with the introduction of programs that feature African-American cultures, such as the TV show, Amos ‘n’ Andy, the programs symbolized the degradation of black people and their culture (Barker 2003). Besides that, the TV had also been guilty of stereotyping. With respect to that, Bernstein (2002) suggested that audiences tend to accept these images and perceptions of the media without question. For example, as written by Medhurst (cited in Barker 2003) the famous English TV show, Mind Your Language used stereotypes to get popularity. Therefore, it is certain that the television had played its part in racism and stereotyping.

Moreover, the television encourages risky behaviours in the youngsters. It is certain that without strict control form parents, kids and adolescents would spend too much time in front of their television set. In relation to that, a survey showed that 5 out of 8 kids say that their peers were influenced by the TV shows. Consequently, according to parentstv.org, the television alone is responsible of 10% of youth crimes in America and studies have shown that watching sex on the television directly influences a teen to have sex. The 10% of youth crimes may seem little in percentage but in actual figures, it is an immense number. Furthermore, parentstv.org also revealed that 1 out of 4 adolescents whom had premarital sex were diagnosed with Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD). These numbers clearly show that the television is spoiling our young generation.

Lastly, there are many who argue that the television is just a safe source of entertainment, relaxation time, or extra information. This is only true to a certain extent, as these beliefs can lead to health defects. Here is how; a normal person would have his left-side of his brain (for logical and analytical thinking) almost switched off when watching the TV, to allow the right-side of the brain to function as we imagine and fantasize more. Besides that, endorphins, hormones that induce happiness are released when we tend to use our right-brain more. Hence, making us want to watch more as our minds are in a happy and relaxed state. Watching more television would then increase our weight because the television also, somehow promotes intake of sugary and fatty foods and lessens the time spent on exercises. As a result, more people would suffer from obesity and diabetes and could be fatal. In addition, children can also suffer from such health problems. Also, sleeplessness which can affect one’s health and emotional status -such as, depression and fatigue- can be caused by addiction to television. Thus, it is obvious that the television has a part to play in our societies overall health and fitness.

In conclusion, like other forms of modern media, the television has many adverse effects on the society. However, its popularity has made the majority had overlooked all of its potential dangers.

New Year Celebrations, a con...

New Year's Eve, a day to celebrate by crowding in an area and proving that you can count backwards; while some get high in gunpowder smoke, others reach a euphoric (sort of) state with head tilted backwards and a dropped jaw, looking at colorful light bursting into circular patterns in the sky.

For some reason, I have been thinking, why do new year countdowns and fireworks happen in most malls? MONEY. It's a bloody con, you are expected to get there early to avoid a jam, so you'd sit somewhere and have a meal or shop a bit. Well, if the malls are doing it, clubs and all might as well pounce on this chance to get some profits too! And we, kids and them young adults go out and have fun!

New Year Celebrations; if you do not have sporting friends, you'd find yourself in a discussion of how hot it was, how sticky and sweaty everyone is; you might find it hard to get a parking near the happening area and wonder why you couldn't just park further and walk since it ain't too hot at night; you have to be out early, to bypass the jams, hence, you have to wait for those who are often, fashionably late; you have to wait for the crowd to disperse before going back if you hated jams -but this won't be a problem if you parked further down the road-; if you're the driver, good luck; if your friends are from Church, leave them alone; if you have a large group of friends who are quite the blonde, you might miss the countdown (experienced it twice) while you hear faint voices of the crowd going 10, 9, 8..... -whats the bloody fun if you didn't start at "10";

"I think that a New Year's Resolution can never be fulfilled -and people often try again the next year- because of its first two letters..RE" -Phoon Chi Kit-

But then again, New Year Celebrations can be fun and a its a blardy good way to get your mind of the struggles you are about to face in the year ahead. Having fun all the way till the wee hours without having to worry about waking up for work or for college; taking your mind off the big exams coming in the year, getting a promotion from your boss, or just, getting to hang out with your friends. Here I am blogging...

2010, its gonna be an eventful year for me, I hope...=)

Can't believe my next post will only happen next year....

Internet; a bad thing. (research project declassified)

At first, the internet was used as a database of information shared all over the world and as a simple communication tool opened to the whole world. Slowly but indefinitely though, negative issues arouse about its safety and the freedom it provides to the society. Hence, the Internet can be termed as a negative influence because it encourages unhealthy social behaviours, divides nations, and allows unethical usage.

Internet advancements suggested that there are no boundaries to what you can do in an online environment. Though there are boundaries now (online laws), yet, many still seek ways to cross them. As such, Flew (2005) suggested that the internet has given the opportunity for one to play, create deception of, and adopt many other personas. Subsequently, there are people who try to pose as other people to gain some sort of advantage and others just to have fun. Having an impostor in the system can build negative issues. Jordan (cited in Flew 2005) wrote about a girl who chose to have gay male sex online in South Miami Beach, Florida, USA (where the gay community was large) just for kicks. Besides that, there were many cases of rather “fake” medical specialists causing their mentally or physically ill patients more traumatized (Jordan 1999). This virtual environment is unhealthy for the social well-being of humans.

The Internet is the largest source of information and news. On the other hand, it is also the largest source for explicit media. For example, there is, pornography. In this case, the most unethical use of the Internet is the spread of child pornography. Any images, video of a child’s body or child portraying sexual acts is child pornography (Ost 2002). “Extreme hardcore child pornography may include images of the infliction of sadistic, physical harm to the child and occasionally, may even end in the child’s death,” Pierce (quoted in Ost 2002). Not only that, the spread of pornography through the easily accessible Internet, is also highly unethical itself. This is because the Internet is open to the whole public; young and old. Especially for the youngsters, pornography is no doubt a bad influence.

Many argue that the Internet is a stepping stone to globalisation. However, the Internet has become more of a divider of nations. This is because ICT technologies take longer time to be transferred to other parts of the world. The technology of computers and the rapid advancements of the internet have played the biggest part in dividing the world while many others think that it is the first step towards globalisation or a world without borders. This is called the Digital Divide; where digital mass media creates inequalities of access to different Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) that is cause by social, economical and geographical inequalities (Flew 2005). The most tremendous digital divide is between the First World economies and lesser economies (Flew 2005). As proof; “A North American child is 19.5 times more likely to have internet access than a child from the Asia Pacific, 28.5 times more likely to have internet access than a child from Latin America, and 195 times more likely to have internet access than a child from Africa” (Flew 2005). These statistics were taken several years ago but this tells us a bit about how divided the world was at that time. As the internet and computers being one of the fastest growing technologies, it can be deduced that slower countries will have too much catching up to do -compared to those countries that allow faster logistics or technology transfers and at the same time have the infrastructural capability and compatibility to install such technologies-. As a result, divides the world further.

DID YOU KNOW?

These are very awesome videos; crucial statistics and fun facts...

In five minutes these videos can tell you a lot so keep your eye glued..

DID YOU KNOW VIDEO..

AN OLDER VERSION..

Just one year apart and so many things have changed..

CONSERVING ENERGRY

So, what does this mean to you?

Games are just meant to be, games...

I came across these funny posts about videos games; if they were in reality...Basically, its a bunch of photoshop-ed screenshots of famous games made as a preview to what it would if it was real-lized.

You have to know the games before you attempt to understand the posts in the link I will post at the bottom..take a look and knock yourself out =)

<http://www.cracked.com/photoshop_85_if-video-games-were-realistic/>

sorry guys, I can only give you the link. That's because I don't want to get into any trouble regarding copyrighted stuff

More on Stereotyping....Just Quit It!

Adding to the previous posts of hates... There are many slightly more liberal, and open minded people; who sometimes seek justice for their fellow Indonesians who were ill treated. It is true some that Malaysians treat Indonesians quite badly and stereotyped them as criminals and all, but this is the consequence of stepping into another country; especially in a large number and in desperation.

What Malaysians did wrong was to stereotype each Indonesian as a criminal, or illegal foreigner or anything like that. It is also wrong to stereotype we Malaysians as a bunch of bullies. Both blardy sides are wrong and the only way to resolve this issue is that both parties work together.

It is in the individual and not nationality that makes the person steal or kill. Though one's nationality would influence different needs and wants of that individual, but the choice of doing crime is all in their personality. So why blame Indonesia? More than half of the Indonesians I met are normal people. Those who were abused is a small figure compared to the number of Indonesians here.

On the other hand, why blame Malaysians? Not all of us are bullies and cultural thieves. Though, in many cases, Indonesians were caught, but that's because they broke the law. If they were caught for nothing and punished for nothing, once again, just blame stereotyping. We, Malaysians and Indonesians share so many things in common so why bother fighting?

Firstly, most Indonesians who come to work are desperate so they may have to resort to committing crimes and may be forced to do unwanted things; normal human nature I guess. On the other hand, Malaysians think that these individuals are good labour. Its a stale-mate.

Once again, I reiterate my stand that we shall not stereotype people from other countries. Because that just makes smart and civil people angry; and therefore, insulting the stereotypist..

Autism: Minds in Puzzles

Some are unpredictable and fascinating; some endlessly fascinated; some are dysfunctional yet talented; unusual behaviors are just the norm for them but a lot of us do not understand this fact. The earlier part of the latter sentence would have been a little confusing for you but that is just my point. Those who "suffer" from autism are really puzzling as scientists believe their minds work in puzzles.

Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD); yes, its a spectrum disorder, which means that the autistic society comprises of people who suffer from minor symptoms to those who suffer major effects. ASD still puzzle scientists and experts. They cannot find the source of the occurrence and a cure to this disorder. Plus, there is no effective treatment as the the spectrum is extremely wide. Scientists have tried to link ASD to special genes and traits but they are still not certain how everything relates.

Here's a write up my comm. serv. group has come up with.

Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that typically lasts throughout a person's lifetime. It is part of a group of disorders known as autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Today, 1 in 150 individuals is diagnosed with autism, making it more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. It can occur any person from any community or society and is four times more likely to strike boys than girls. Autism impairs a person's ability to communicate, relate to others and also the ability to learn like an ordinary person.

Autism spectrum disorders can usually be reliably diagnosed by age 3, although new research is pushing back the age of diagnosis to as early as 6 months. Parents are usually the first to notice unusual behaviors in their child or their child's failure to reach appropriate developmental milestones. Some parents describe a child that seemed different from birth, while others describe a child who was developing normally and then lost skills.These lost of skills or difference described by parents are usually learning a social disorder.

Although parents may have concerns about labeling a toddler as "autistic," the earlier the diagnosis is made, the earlier interventions can begin. Currently, there are no effective means to prevent autism, no fully effective treatments, and no cure. Research indicates, however, that early intervention in an appropriate educational setting for at least two years during the pre-school years can result in significant improvements for many young children with autism spectrum disorders

-adapted from ProjectM.A.D.(Project: Making A Difference)-

Many famous inventors and artists are autistic. For example, Jane Austen, Thomas Edison, Vincent van Gogh and Albert Einstein were speculated to have been in what is now called the Autism Spectrum. Though these are only speculative, there were many accounts and proof to support such speculations. That's most of the things I know and learnt about Autism, as research all around the world continues, and more information is squeezed out and if you want to know more about Autism, visit www.autism.com/autism/ or just Google "what is Autism". It just takes a few minutes of your time to help understand what has become a big part of our society.

And if you are living in the Klang Valley and would like to offer help leave a me a message...=)

Quick Feet....

One of the many things I'm proud to have and came as a "gift", but I ain't gonna talk about ME. Compared to this dude, I'm a just a nut. This post is to hail the King of Sprint, World's Fastest Man, Usain Bolt. I bet you think he runs really fast, why yes, he does run very very fast. In fact, he was amazingly fast in his last race, which he shattered his own World Record in both the 100m and 200m. If you did not see it...







Thnx Youtube!

Usain Bolt did what was thought to be impossible in athletics, 100m in less than 9.6 seconds. Though, I was more amazed with the way he ran and how far he was from the rest, especially in the 200m finals.

Firstly, as a person that tall and lengthy, he has the most impressive start off the blocks to my opinion, it's also quite a different technique but was it was used to nicely suit his lengthiness and power. The best I have seen maybe the STARTS of his compatriot, Asafa Powell. Besides his starts, look at him power out the curve in the 200m. It's pretty difficult to run the curve as fast as yourself on the straights when you're tall; even at 172cm, its tough; and this guy is 196cm?
Next, he also has an extraordinary power to weight ratio for someone his height. To push that hard going off the blocks amazes me every time I saw the video. I think he took one or two steps less than Tyson Gay -who was pretty good off the blocks too- in the first ten meters. That proves his power.
Lastly, his ability to keep accelerating till 80m is almost impossible, this dude is a very fit dude -kudos to Tyson Gay who did something like that too-. Normal sprinters only reach 50m-60m before maintaining their speed. Like Bolt said, his best part of the race is the last part of the race. That's because when others stop accelerating, he wouldn't, and when others slow down before the finish line, he's just to fast to be able to do that (based on his 9.58s run).

That makes him a World Record holder and would change how professionals see athletics and its potentials. I think he works on his training like a slave. haha. 3 hours a day, 6 days a week; that is tiring. To improve on such a good timing, requires lotsa hardwork. And from what I can see, he may be able to break his own record next year or two..That'll be fun..

Lighting Bolt is his nickname, but if he was American, it'll be USA in Bolt. hahahaha. Oh and Kannathasan -old friend and 4x100 teammate- reminds me of him.

-Views from someone whose had four years of sprinting and athletic training in school (who learns from it and does a bit of research)-

What The Health?

WHEEEEEEE!! BAM!! BOOM!!

The terrorists from the 9/11 incideny are killing more than intended!

Researchers have found new cases of cancer of the immune system. So, how does that relate to 9/11 terrorist strikes? Apparently the four patients diagnosed with the rare cancer had worked at the 9/11 ground zero.

Two of them spent many days in the rubble (one in the rubble "dumpsite" at some dumping island) and the other two, spent only a fortnight there. Unlucky they really are. Who would know helping the U.S. of A would kill them? Actually, I do, but hey, they're Americans..Though, I'd never thought such a thing would happen. Cancer of the immune system? They all have a condition called multiple myeloma..very rare in ppl under the age of 45. In fact, only one patient from that age group was diagnosed with this cancer ever, in the world's history. So, right now, there's five..

So, now I'm thinking, Jaya came crashing down, rubble, fumes, in my lungs? what's next? platelet cancer? Guys, be very careful, weird health issues are coming up; but don't live in a bubble either. I know the last sentence may be contradicting so therefore, count on ye blardy luck mates! =)