Sat 22 Mar 2008
This dude agrees with me so much that it really hurts. Pay especial attention to what he says about children being born creative but are educated out of their creativity. He also criticizes public education for trying to produce university professors rather than educating people to be able to fulfill their full and complete potential in any number of diverse fields.
April 12th, 2008 at 12:28 am
This video made me think that sometimes it is NECESSARY to educate kids out of creativity. For instance, some of the examples that were provided were, I thought, of Islamically unessential creativity—like the kid ‘drawing God’, and the other ‘potentially talented dancer’ kid being “educated” out of fidgeting in class (not saying that ‘dancer such kids should be put on medication).
Not that I’ve extensive experience observing students, but I am having difficulty imagining essential creativity that schools are so mercilessly killing!
Also, since the first command of Allah to the Prophet sallalahy alyhe was sallam was “READ!” and then later also “contemplate”… isn’t it NECESSARY for each Muslim to become an average ‘university professor type person’ who is capable of READING and consequently THINKING? Other than academics, what other activities could build up thinking skills at an advanced level?
April 12th, 2008 at 1:08 am
Hmm…I wonder if Ted thinking too much like the not so average ‘university professor’?
April 15th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
I am sort of surprised at the lack of response.
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:37 am
As am I, especially with your appalling initial response.
I understand your Islamic perspective; how some creativity may be dangerous, but the important thing is where this creativity is stems in the individual. Creativity is not just some skill that anyone can develop like dribbling a basketball. It is something that is completely unique and particular to every and any individual. It is something which is God-given, that should be nurtured and cared for throughout your entire life. Losing that, is giving up a part of yourself.
In response to the video; (i have yet to watch it, I can’t at the moment) in this day schools cannot possible accommodate and nurture every single individual to their full potential. It is just not physically possible…, there are so many people on this planet. If we were all at full potential something would explode. BUT you still have to have faith. The strong will be strong and they will rise. They won’t let something like school get in the way of their creativity. As for everyone else, the sun will still rise inshaAllah.
April 23rd, 2008 at 1:24 am
Anon…I think you should watch the video before suggesting that original creativity should be nurtured. Just because a trait is unique, ‘original’ and stemming from the individual doesn’t mean it should be nurtured and developed. Haraam inclinations (like making idols to represent “God”, playing music, etc.) can also stem from the individual. Can’t say we need to develop that creativity, can we?
Also, we can’t always make the judgement about creativity stemming from the individual. Human beings are exposed to shaytan the minute they take their first breath. The judgement between essential vs. shaytanic creativity is made by the result yielded.
Some human inclinations deserved to be nipped in the bud!
I didn’t find any examples of beneficial creativity in the video. Let me know if you find anything if/when you watch it. Salaam.
April 23rd, 2008 at 1:26 am
Oh wow…I guess my comments are not being moderated anymore.
April 23rd, 2008 at 2:13 am
If I wanted to moderate someone’s comment on “my blog” I would explain them the reason. If I didn’t want them posting on “my blog” at all I would self-assuredly ban them! Just some ideas…
April 23rd, 2008 at 5:56 am
RandomStranger.. although I disagree, your convictions seem deep. Surely I will not uproot them with a few simple words.
To me creativity is as God-given as your hair, and your voice and your eyes and the manner in which you love that which you love… the list is does not end. It is something that is wholly of you. If you let it become warped and lose control over it, then yes the shaytan has touched you. But if you embrace it, and try to understand it and where it comes from, surely it will better you.
I may cannot convince you of this, but certainly you must see that even if some creativity is ‘bad’ as you say, and better off dead; what of all the innocent good creativity that will suffer the same fate?
April 24th, 2008 at 2:19 am
Btw…I agree with Life.
April 24th, 2008 at 4:26 am
“Anon”…I understood the title of this post (in light of the video) as schools are killing creativity by educating everyone. Apparently, it meant that they are simply killing creativity by paying it insufficient attention. Okay, no disagreement there.
Also, aren’t university-degrees that are currently valued (I’m guessing mostly science) better than degrees in dance or drawing?
The Prophet (sa) said that it is wajib for us to gain knowledge. Aren’t schools disposing that (though not always accurately or entirely)?
I see what you are saying in the last paragraph of your last comment.
People interested in honing their creativity can attend institutes that are specifically designed for their God-given ‘good’ creativity. Everyone can live in peace. Why attack the schools?
PS: The examples in the video are outrageously unIslamic. I know you don’t disagree with that. What part of my comment do you disagree with, then?