The Element

A modest beginning...

I went to the lecture of author, Den Robinson, at the UCLA Hammer Museum. The book he published last month is titled, "The Element - How finding your passion changes everything." The crux of his interest is the difference fertile soil, such as enthusiastic education that values diversity, makes in the development of a satisfied life.

The image he showed twice was of the flower filled floor of Death Valley--a very rare event. Heavy rains in 2004 lead to this explosion of life. The seeds of beauty and creation are dormant in everyone, and if the right circumstance occurs, a beautiful blooming results.

He described the U.S. educational systems as being rooted in concepts from the 18th and 19th century, a time would know one could imagine a globally connected world. He equated the attempt to standardized education as equivalent to fast food--you'll always know what you'll bet, but it won't be good, and it won't be good for you. He suggested that schools should be more like a Michelin guide than a McDonalds. Wherever you go in the world, virtually every restaurant mentioned in a Michelin guide is very good. Not only very good, but unique and different. 

I'll have to read more of the book in order to better understand his concepts, and what he suggests doing about fixing things. He was a very witty Englishman. A pleasant dark streak to his humor. Definitely very ironic. I was very impressed by the fact that he didn't hide behind the podium. He gave an entertaining and focused talk to the 300 people present. In the end, he said that a great teacher excels in being able to make any topic highly interesting.