How To: Become & Stay Learned?

[RedSkunk]

So I'm about to graduate, and thinking about the future. I'm not going to be going on for another degree, at least for the time being, and I'm presented with the problem of how to continue my education. I think there's the danger of getting a job and becoming so invested in it and life in general that your critical thinking suffers, and you miss out on events, and how to interpret the world around us. I feel as if this happens to most people the world over, but I'm not ready to veg out just yet. I have my ideas of staying active and informed politically, but I'd like to hear from the peanut gallery first!

Also, after pondering that, I'd like to hear what you believe is effective or not. Staying up on the news (traditional or new media?), reading books or other sources that go "further" than the news, becoming involved in political action or study groups, attending lectures and speakers, events, or...?

[MortifiedPenguins]

Expierencing it yourself.

Self exploration, travel, talking, reading, watching listening.

Stay active, stay critical.

Become more cultural, learn some more on culturals, foods, religions, customs ect ect.

Try not to be just book smart but have common sense.

[SolInvictus]

if you want to stay learnéd (go Shakespeare!) stay as far away from the BBS as you can.
Run! Run, while you still have the chance!

[RedSkunk]

At 3/30/07 02:44 PM, MortifiedPenguins wrote: Expierencing it yourself.
Self exploration, travel, talking, reading, watching listening.
Stay active, stay critical.
Become more cultural, learn some more on culturals, foods, religions, customs ect ect.
Try not to be just book smart but have common sense.

Masturbation? Talking about sports? Watching squirrels running around? I think your suggestions are vague and vapid. How does cooking new foods allow me to continue to think critically? Don't take offense, I'm trying to get you to rephrase that. If experience was all that was needed, then it would seem that everyone might be more invested in things outside of their immediate bubble, yes?

[MortifiedPenguins]

At 3/30/07 07:00 PM, RedSkunk wrote:

At 3/30/07 02:44 PM, MortifiedPenguins wrote:

If experience was all that was needed, then it would seem that everyone might be more invested in things outside of their immediate bubble, yes?

Basically. Yeah.

[DrBrainTrust]

most of the things you mentioned seemed like good ideas. Reading the news is a good idea and supplementing domestic news with foreign news wouldn't hurt. Books dealing with controversy over current events help as well, but just limiting yourself to books and media can cause a person to become out of touch with reality, getting some experience in politics can help ground a person. Something as simple as going to a protest or a rally for a certain cause. Even if you disagree with the cause being protested, interacting with politically active people can help give perspective of your own views. And, of course, civil discussion with others concerning politics will force you to stay well versed in world events, if for no other reason, to spite someone you disagree with

[Korriken]

At 3/30/07 07:00 PM, RedSkunk wrote:

Masturbation?

not much thinking goes on when you do that....
Talking about sports?
well, there can be some critical thinking going on if you actually keep up with the sports that you talk about. especially when you get down to the skill of single players on a team.

Watching squirrels running around?
I suppose it would be a good relaxation method, which in turn, can promote critical thinking.

How does cooking new foods allow me to continue to think critically?
its all in the seasonings man, you can do some serious deep thinking when it comes to food, especially in how to make it taste better. although its got a lot of trial and error involved. also pairing up dishes and such, its a very fulfilling experience when you really get into cooking.

[fli]

Teach. Whatever you want.
For free. Be a tutor to a kid. I'm a tutor for my young cousin.

Not only I teach him about life, but... how to be a good guy.

And.

Be part of a family and start one of your own.

I'm at that stage.
I got my home. Got a spouse. I just need to move out and create my own family.

And start finding a way to be happy, and start to create something new in whatever interest you're in.

[Slizor]

How about getting a job that involves use of critical thinking and knowledge of current affairs?

[MaxManning]

Just go live in a trailer park somewhere in the south, and you can be a rocket scientist by comparison. Then you won't have to worry about staying "learned".

Everyone else kind of calls it "educated" anyways.

[RedSkunk]

At 3/31/07 09:40 AM, Slizor wrote: How about getting a job that involves use of critical thinking and knowledge of current affairs?

Those are pretty few and far between, you idealist you.