What I Learn Versus What I Teach
There is surprise here on both sides!
Learning is a basic human condition. For some reason MANY adults think learning ends at 18 and is then a top down procedure. This is FOOLISH and misinformed. Here is why I believe that.
Humans Are Ridiculous
Culture is not your friend - Terrence McKenna
We must be honest that knowledge is a liquid entity. It flows and mixes in exciting and unexpected ways when it is allowed to be free. - Jim Bruner
Before you Google Terrence McKenna, Yes, I know he was a fringe character. He was also 25 years ahead of his time in understanding neurobiology and neural plasticity. That is WHY he was on target.
As humans, we are prone to seeing and not reflecting. Acting on repeat rather than assessing and reframing. This “static self” we associate with culture is what I think McKenna was referencing as not being our friend. The way we have always done things is not conducive to personal, social or emotional growth or innovation.
The Most Human Aspect
That dynamic perspective in the role mentorship and collaborative learning takes is the key to innovation and growth. Mentorship, play, and exploration are the most human aspect. When it is alive and vibrant, we feel seen, shared, and we innovate effortlessly.
Take a moment to reflect on that.
McKenna was a scientist who was fascinated in the way the brain works. Unfortunately, he existed in a time before superconductors, microcomputers, AI, Globalism, and the MRI and micro exploration of the human nervous system. He could never verify that his hypothesis was true.
The Flow Of Knowledge
Humanity has a tendency to worship what IS and fear innovation. But INNOVATION is how we grow. Why do we call the time between the fall of Rome and the rise of Florence the “Dark Ages”?
We must be honest that knowledge is a liquid entity. It flows and mixes in exciting and unexpected ways when it is allowed to be free. If you cannot interact with a child and see the world in a new way, then we should be questioning wisdom and your humanity.
We are so certain that mentorship is a TOP-DOWN process that we forget to reflect and see how we grow through that process.
How Do WE All Become Better?
We become better by seeing ourselves in the eyes of others. We see that we are the art, the science. We become our own literature, We create change, and break law, It’s culture. And even though culture can be rigid, we also know it changes over time.
We can create a culture that we can be friends with. But we cannot be friends with a culture that doesn’t see the need, the path, or the tools to change with. That’s why the kids are alright. They know.
