We stand on shoulders of giants

[Ken Leung]

Originally Posted by Steve W

Ken, every time I see one of your posts I shutter. They are sooo long.

I am terribly sorry Steve for making you shutter. Next time I make a long post I will split it into shorter paragraphs and PM them to you in the course of several days and make sure I include dramatic ending for each of them so you won't get bored by them (LOL).

In all seriousness, I understand these messages are too long... They are just so much fun to put together. I simply need to learn more about the fine art of English and have better writing skills in the future. If people are willing, maybe some of you can help me edit/shorten my messages before I post them.

Originally Posted by Ken Loyd

Ken,

The term you are looking for is "life long learner"... After 8 years with FIRSt, I no longer worry about the future. We do indeed stand on the shoulders of giants.

Ken

Ken, (I just realize you can be called Ken L. too, kind of freaky)

Thank you for clearing that up for me. In trying to finish the message without spending weeks in it, I was unable to define things as precisely as I wanted to. You are absolutely right. I just wish education and learning aren't so different in this world. I recently discovered I am a "life long learner" when I realized how much fun it can be, I only wish all students can discover the same joy, though I understand it is better for everyone to find their own style of learning.

Ken

Originally Posted by Rich Kressly

The key to a better future, November contends, is about "unlearning" or setting aside what we believe as true for a fresh look at tomorrow and what is possible.

I first encountered the term "unlearning" from R. Buckminster Fuller, the inventer, architect, engineer, mathematician, poet, and cosmologist who invented the geodesic dome (most of you know what it is, the Epoc dome is a geodesic dome).

When Bucky was early age twenty(I think), he lost his job, all his money, and had a wife and daughter to feed. He spoke about the moment when he decided to turn his life into an experiment: How can a single person be successful in this world. In the next few years, he spent most of his time unlearning everything he knew, and re-think about everything in the world. That's when he transform from failure to success.

I can strongly relate to unlearning because when I came to America in 1995, I had to unlearn every bit of my chinese culture in order to fit into this society. Then I joined FIRST and unlearned everything I knew about learning, and continue to do so until this day. I was very fortunate to have an early start. Some people never unlearn anything in their lives. Everytime I unlearn something I clear my world view a little bit and understood more about this world. It is a very valuable skill to have as a life long learner. I wish it can be taught like grammar or arithmetic, though I understand everyone need to go through their own journey to discover it.