Fifty years to the day after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the two people most responsible for the drafting of the document died, one after another. The political project, at that time, was very much alive and remains so, contentious, communal and common as ever: can we make good on the words?
One part of a fiftieth anniversary I attended recently of a successful commercial enterprise was a day of talks by people famous locally or globally, to employees and guests on the theme the company extols: education. I kept my ear open for the 'You' I could address, the Other that was addressing me.
The word was repeated over and over, but only some of the speakers touched me, and then not primarily as cheerleaders for 'education', a good thing only controversial in the details, but as providing useful tips for living.
Two of them spoke about young people they'd met ambitious about their future, and what they wanted to do to help. One spoke about the joy of tinkering with machines and mathematics, and how good he was at it. One spoke about the opportunities and risks of living between two powerful, neighbors contending with each other, and was sanguine about the possibilities of Pacific peace. One, via video, recounted the background of his world-changing decisions. One just said congratulations and goodbye.
One spoke about the heuristics he uses to make judgments about the world's affairs and prospects, interspersed with comments on pressing current issues and examples of bright ideas being generated to address them. Rambling but structured, his speech was a stroll through the mind of a very intelligent, highly knowledgeable person. His seemingly casual manner made me, one of an audience of thousands, feel personally taken into his confidence. He gave me enough to think about that I felt that in conversation I could reply intelligently, and privately continue to think interestingly.
Another spoke about his life experiences learning to understand other people, other situation and challenges. He nailed the idea that had been floating around all day: the process, the moment, of actual learning what's going on and how to respond effectively, authentically, with kindness and understanding to each other. Almost a sermon, his speech ended on a note that articulated for me the essential challenge of 'education,' of my education as a human being.
All the rest of the event seemed full of self-congratulation and chat between far-flung workers brought together for the occasion. There were also dinners and dances which I didn't care to attend.
'Education' can be a platitude but you two brought home to me what it looks like to be educated, as well as the moral imperative to be educated. The slogan word took on intriguing and impressive overtones However far the anniverserand makes good on it, I felt myself clearer-headed on the subject, and motivated, to boot. A good day.
One part of a fiftieth anniversary I attended recently of a successful commercial enterprise was a day of talks by people famous locally or globally, to employees and guests on the theme the company extols: education. I kept my ear open for the 'You' I could address, the Other that was addressing me.
The word was repeated over and over, but only some of the speakers touched me, and then not primarily as cheerleaders for 'education', a good thing only controversial in the details, but as providing useful tips for living.
Two of them spoke about young people they'd met ambitious about their future, and what they wanted to do to help. One spoke about the joy of tinkering with machines and mathematics, and how good he was at it. One spoke about the opportunities and risks of living between two powerful, neighbors contending with each other, and was sanguine about the possibilities of Pacific peace. One, via video, recounted the background of his world-changing decisions. One just said congratulations and goodbye.
One spoke about the heuristics he uses to make judgments about the world's affairs and prospects, interspersed with comments on pressing current issues and examples of bright ideas being generated to address them. Rambling but structured, his speech was a stroll through the mind of a very intelligent, highly knowledgeable person. His seemingly casual manner made me, one of an audience of thousands, feel personally taken into his confidence. He gave me enough to think about that I felt that in conversation I could reply intelligently, and privately continue to think interestingly.
Another spoke about his life experiences learning to understand other people, other situation and challenges. He nailed the idea that had been floating around all day: the process, the moment, of actual learning what's going on and how to respond effectively, authentically, with kindness and understanding to each other. Almost a sermon, his speech ended on a note that articulated for me the essential challenge of 'education,' of my education as a human being.
All the rest of the event seemed full of self-congratulation and chat between far-flung workers brought together for the occasion. There were also dinners and dances which I didn't care to attend.
'Education' can be a platitude but you two brought home to me what it looks like to be educated, as well as the moral imperative to be educated. The slogan word took on intriguing and impressive overtones However far the anniverserand makes good on it, I felt myself clearer-headed on the subject, and motivated, to boot. A good day.
No comments:
Post a Comment