BiblioTechCTech’s Book Review: A manifesto for a better world
BiblioTech
CTech’s Book Review: A manifesto for a better world
Noa Eshed, Co-Host of the Real Life Superpowers Podcast, shares insights after reading "Imagine if… Creating A Future For Us All” by Sir Ken Robinson.
Noa Eshed is the Co-Host of the Real Life Superpowers Podcast. She has joined CTech to share a review of "Imagine if… Creating A Future For Us All” by Sir Ken Robinson.
Title: "Imagine if… Creating A Future For Us All”
Author: Ken Robinson
Format: Book, Audiobook
Where: Home
Summary:
In this book, Sir Ken Robinson urges us to challenge the current education systems and to imagine a new world where learning is personalized and creativity is nurtured. He highlights the flaws in standardized testing, rote memorization, and conformity as well as the potential for education to truly transform individuals and society
He emphasizes the importance of diversity, in both the perspectives and backgrounds of students as well as the subjects and approaches in education. He stresses the need for a more holistic understanding of intelligence, moving away from narrow academic measures and embracing multiple forms of intelligence.
Sir Ken Robinson challenges us to break free from outdated notions and systems and to boldly imagine and create a better future for education and society as a whole. He empowers us to be change-makers and to actively work towards a more equitable, fulfilling world for all.
Important Themes:
Sir Ken's work reminds us of what we as humans are capable of if the conditions are right. He urges us to change our education system and business methods so that every person has the potential to reach their highest level.
Robinson argued that what sets humans apart from the other organisms on Earth is our imagination: the capacity to call to mind things that we cannot see or touch. It is this power of imagination that allows us not just to exist in the world, but also to create it. And once we have created it, we have the ability to change it again.
What I’ve Learned:
Here are some key takeaways as well as quotes that resonated with me:
- "I get it, I love it, I want it, where is it" - the dash in between someone's dates of birth and death denotes what they did with their life. That element is where our personal passions meet our natural aptitudes. In other words, it's the place we love doing things and happen to be good at them simultaneously. I understand completely--I want that too! So where can we find it?
- We thrive when the culture is right. An education system is not successful because of tests and output. It is successful when individuals are recognized and the diversity of their talent is celebrated. It is successful when children are fulfilled and continue to live a fulfilled life.
The full flow of our lives Is much more fluid than a linear version.
For most of us, the only time our lives look consequential is when we sit down to write our resumes. At this point we do our absolute best to hide the total chaos we’ve been living through in order to make it seem as if we’ve been following an elaborate life plan.
The story doesn’t account for the highs and lows, the bumps and twists, the dead ends and backtracks, and the starting again in new directions. The falling down and getting back up. It doesn’t account for the unexpected opportunities, the impulse decisions, the learning and development, the situations out of our control, and the growth that comes from all of this.
Life is rarely a straight line moving across a page.
Real life is more like a beautiful scribble, looping across the page. Life is complex and unpredictable. And because of our powers of imagination and creativity, we’re able to navigate it.
- It is almost impossible to predict the direction of advancing technologies and where they will take us. How can schools prepare students to navigate this ever-changing economic landscape? They must connect students with their unique talents and interests. Dissolve the division between academic and vocational programs, and foster practical partnerships between schools and the world of work so that young people can experience working environments as part of their education. Not simply when it’s time for them to enter the labor market.
- Creativity is the process of putting your imagination to work.
- Each and every one of us is a fountain of talent and resources, and if we were to dedicate our efforts to nurturing this potential rather than systematically suppressing it, the world would be a much better place for us all.
Imagine if we used our incredible capacities to create a world, in which every person had a deep understanding of their own unique talents.
Imagine if we built systems that lifted us up, instead of keeping us down.
Imagine if we embraced adversities rather than running from them.
Critiques:
I think this manifesto can be read as utopian, and not practical enough, as it doesn't grant many practical tools. However, I think the mindset is revolutionary and I genuinely hope it'll make a positive impact.
Who Should Read This Book:
Anybody in the education system/parents - for obvious reasons. But beyond the obvious, I believe leaders can gain a very interesting perspective on motivations and potential. Such that can help empower towards greatness.
First published: 15:59, 27.10.22
