Education is a function of demand too

I came across this video on education by Ken Robinson on our education system and i have been thinking on it since the last couple of days.
www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kills_creativity.html.

He makes an interesting case on how public education actually kills creativity. In a sense i do agree with him that we need to re-look at our education system as a whole and make changes to the way our children are taught and what they are taught.

Everything in this world is a function of demand. We are in that phase of our life-cycle as humans where there is tremendous pressure to improve productivity, better utilization of resources, better healthcare, reduce poverty, improve living conditions of man in general. This would require an element of social engineering too no doubt, but I would guess science has to play a huge role in helping us deliver more better with less. Incentives are also aligned to these objectives and I would want to believe that why when I was growing up we had to choose either math or science as our path else we were told one would end up with nothing.

Appreciation for liberal arts can only be built on the solid foundation of economic stability. There must be a belief that pursuing them can help bring economic stability to our lives. In this domain you have to be perceived to the best to make a good living. There is no place for an average artist as the demand is little. Compare this to the demand for an average engineer or a doctor and you will see the point i am making. That is why i think while discussing education context becomes very relevant. Fundamentally education must be able to deliver a better job, better livelihood along with teaching how to be better human beings. If in one generation education can deliver this economic stability then the next generation will be able to explore the finer aspects and make that choice to pursue then more confidently.
Interestingly, during the renaissance period there was greater emphasis on music, arts, dance , etc than on math and science. People saw that pursuing liberal arts could take them out of their present conditions.

In my view there is no doubt that the system of education needs to be re-looked, however when making those drastic changes it is important to make sure the context and the purpose is not missed. It must be done to deliver prosperity be it in economic terms or in social terms and the demand for these could differ depending on where and when.

Renounce greatness

One of the many translations of the poem "How to go to the temple of Tao". I have picked a few lines from there.

This in my view is pure Zen....

Speak silently, if speak you must

Like the rock speaking to the trees

and leaves to flowers.

Silence is the sweetest of voices and

nothingness has the fairest of colours

Let none see you coming

and none, going

No pride; You and not even formed

No anger; Not even dust is at your command

No sorrow: it does not alter anything

Renounce greatness, there is no other way to be great.

The soft shall survive the hard,

Like the tongue that survives the teeth.

Only the one who does nothing can do everything

Go, the unmade idol.

awaits you.