The takeaway from The Connecticut Forum on Saturday evening: if you want to be regarded as having vision and brilliance, you have to be given options in life.
Both Neil Gaiman and Neil deGrasse Tyson remarked that being able to work in the fields where their interests and talents could flourish is what enables them to be seen by others as visionaries. Though she did not say it, Neri Oxman‘s choices as a young adult exemplified this. She began pursuing one degree and was three years in before realizing that it was not for her. Had she not made the switch from medical school to architecture, her contributions may have been less groundbreaking.
Hearing this truth from these well-respected individuals, one is left to wonder– are all youth empowered by our society to explore their dreams and talents, or is their vision and brilliance potentially squashed by pushing them toward filling workforce demands?
Dave
hmmm skeptical…I believe hearing their ‘truths’ would have me ask “who listened to you in order to support and guide you?” There must be a foundation, a base for anyone to have that confidence to dream and put those dreams into an action. There are many factors involved in answering your question. Great question but too many variables for a simple answer.
Kerri Provost
I’m not sure that what you are saying is any different from what was posted.
Kerri Provost
Half my comment got cut off.
Let me finish this…
Yes, students/young people need to have folks encouraging them, just as they need to have people not shutting down their dreams instantly. I know too many who have been told something like “it’s nice that you want to be a ______, but you can’t pay the bills that way.” Instead of helping them to imagine a way that their interests could be turned into a way to pay the bills, they get thrown into a career that doesn’t make the best use of their skills and talents.
Every time we hear about the push for STEM in schools, we should be cautious. STEM is not for everybody. Those who want to go in that direction should, but throwing kids that way to fill some “need” is misguided and deprives us all in the long run.