David wrote:pietillidie wrote:David wrote:I say burn them at the stake!
Speaking of burning at the stake, did you say somewhere you're currently taking time off from uni? WTF?
Yep, decided that I wanted to focus more on writing this year, while working full-time. It was a snap decision on my part, and even though I feel like I've had to justify it to a few people I'm still convinced it was the right call. It was a choice of either meandering through another 18 months of a (tooth-pullingly painful) Bachelor of Arts degree, or actually use the quantity of work I've already had published and look to get a writing job that way. Our own Pied Piper said it best (and he would know!): a degree is good, but editors are far more interested in published writing.
I feel like my three years at university (one at the ANU in 2007 and two at Monash) were pretty fruitful. I edited a student magazine, started a (fairly unsuccessful) film club, had several articles published in the famous Lot's Wife newspaper (:P), honed my poetic technique and learned a lot about the practical elements of journalism. I think I had a good time, but I feel like it's time to move on. I've deferred to allow the potential of returning to university if a year working full-time at a tiny video store does my head in, but I honestly suspect I'm done for now.
I understand how you feel, but I would still like to reiterate a few things. I just wrote an essay in reply to you and deleted it because who knows what life holds, but you at least need to be challenged especially after your retreat into the arms of the "elitism" justification over the last couple of months. A few quick points then - take 'em or leave 'em of course!
First, education is not about elitism, it's about recognising there are people in the world who are much more learned, knowledgeable and skilled than you are and you have a way to go before you reach their level despite being talented. No one calls people who tell kids to train hard so they can play footy like Dane Swan "elitists", yet when it comes to the intellectual domain suddenly that logic gets thrown out the window. Deep down no one really believes that nonsense and they'll admit it to you in private; people who go on about "intellectual elitism" are usually just saving face and more than a bit envious.
Second, if you're not going to become a creative writer of some sort, then what are you going to say of value to your audience if you lack sufficient topic expertise (theoretical and practical)? It's no coincidence we're seeing the market bifurcate into tabloidy ideological cheersquad pop on the one hand, and specialist blogs and e-zines on the other; this parallels the bifurcation of knowledge and education in society as a whole. As I keep trying to explain to you, the minimum knowledge/skill threshold of high-paying specialist knowledge areas is rising by the minute. Drop out now and you will fall behind much faster than you think because no Indian, Chinese, Brazilian or Russian kid has the luxury you have. Not to mention the old dream of working your way to the top is on its way out, too, because the minimum knowledge required to manage any serious business is also under huge inflationary pressure.
(I'm sure you also know full well most examples of "the average guy making it" are statistical anomalies which have surfaced through a selective media filtration process. The exception confirms the rule, and sadly many people buy into what is an illusion - and then turn around and blame the "latte sipping" class when it's all too late and they can't catch up!).
Third, it doesn't get easier to study. Once you're no longer a student the pressure to meet mainstream social standards will hit you like a ton of bricks. It's okay to be a peasant student, but once you're out of that world first it's a car, then nice evenings out, then a house, then world trips, and then before you know it it's bloody hard to step off the merry-go-round to qualify yourself properly. This sneaks up on you like a thief in the night.
Fourth, I'm not against young people working at all; quite the opposite. I doubt most people can develop genuinely deep knowledge without real world "engineering" experience. So to be enjoying your job is a great bonus in my view. Rather than give up university, why wouldn't you combine the two? I think the separation of the practical and theoretical is a huge mistake and one of the biggest weaknesses of our education system. Not only does it stunt world and life knowledge, but it creates the false notion in people's heads that you have to choose one or the other. Yet we're now entering a phase in the economy where we will not only have to retrain ourselves every decade or so, but we'll have to keep training permanently or we won't be able to compete. Having a job you like could put you ahead of the game if you use it to your advantage.
Fifth, and continuing on the from the fourth point, when you study you have to choose your own subjects and construct your own degree and not let someone else do it for you or simply follow the handbook. Tailor the right program for yourself and pick your subjects and lecturers. The configurations on offer range from brilliant to dull, though no one will of course tell you that, and nor will they tell you that it's your responsibility to create a valuable educational experience for yourself; "meandering through" is not the way it has to be.
Finally, what the heck do I know about life
Projecting anyhow, I guess I only have one life insight I want to leave with you. Sensitive people really need to make sure they're not inventing excuses for avoiding the hard ball gets, and they really need to make sure they're not surrounding themselves with soothing voices. But maybe that was just me!
