Posted by Eric Abraham on September 14, 2004 at 14:38:25 from 64.178.230.63 user EricAbraham.
In Reply to: Re: A Ransome Moment... posted by Charles on September 14, 2004 at 09:12:25:
Another two cents worth -- I have always been an avid seeker of facts, information and knowledge that did not seem to relate to any thing in particular. I found that later on, things slid into place, related and completed pieces of the puzzle of life. In school, I hung out in the libraries (that is how I discoverd Mr. Ransome) and was always friends with the librarian. I was always afraid I would miss out on some tidbit of a wonderful idea. There is no piece of knowledge that is irrelevant. It is the putting it together that may be difficult, but even that can be fun and exciting if one lets it occur naturally.
I think that our "popular culture", which is dependent on "consumerism" of ideas as well as material goods, tends to create a one way street for "consumer goods" even in the field of education. We tend to consume information which has been packaged and pre-digested for us by the media which is making a ton of money off of it. I was never good at studying for a particular examination, finding that that information usually got lost; but, my interests led me in various paths apart from school work. I did not do well on the prescribed "tests"; but, yet, I realized even at the time, it all fits together.
I find that if a child has an interest in something, anything, feed it - foster it and allow that child to explore - most children are naturally curious about everything -- feed it! I see too many children who are told that what they are interested in is not worth while, and they try to "fit in" by expressing only interest in what they are told to know. I was never into whatever was "popular" but followed my many paths of interest through out my life - still am. The most interesting students in school are the older folks who are going back to find out something about what they want to know simply because they want to.
This, to me, is what makes Mr. Ransome's books so wonderful, his characters have many interests and follow up with wonderful adventures! They take what they learned in school and apply it to life and are able to tie in life experiences to the school knowledge.
The internet is great, but books are still fantastic! There is a wonderful little button on the TV which still can turn it off - so one can do something else -- (there are good interesting thought provoking programs on TV, but one has to select and choose!)
"Only a Boring Person is Bored."
Remember - "Knowledge is Power"
Eric Abraham
Lucas, Kansas