February 11, 2010

Aal Iz Naat Vell

I strongly disagree with the idea of conducting formal examinations to test students' proficiency in a particular field. I think it is rather unnecessary.

I believe that it's laughable when people try to pass exams just to get the marks, myself included. We're all chasing after a false reality because in the end, our knowledge is what is really put to test in the real world, not our marks.

This is not my conclusion after watching 3 idiots, because TBH, I was thinking about this for quite some time now, after my move to Cambridge, to be precise. 3 Idiots just happened to further reinforce these thoughts in my head.

I believe the whole education system is deeply flawed. I mean c'mon! Look at it!
Every single thing that i've learnt so far from grade 1 uptill now, overlooking, let's say grade 9? I've forgotten all of it! I can't even answer basic scientific/geography questions unless I've recently read about them on my own. That's because we've always been taught to get the highest marks in school and be ahead of everyone else in the race, whilst turning a blind eye to what really matters: KNOWLEDGE!

I mean what's the point of learning everything, solving a paper, taking a huge sigh of relief after you've passed and then forgetting every single thing that you've learnt, the next academic year? I frankly don't remember a thing that was taught to me.

I believe the American education system is still somewhat better than the British curriculam that I study in. That's because it's visual/practical learning applicable practically, and not just limited to theoretical "knowledge". Theory-oriented curriculams have a lot of implications; maybe some people can't seem to write that much in a limited amount of time. For some, there is the language barrier. Some people can't explain themselves through the right choice of words. There are many problems that hinder you from getting the marks that you're capable of.
What really matters, or rather SHOULD matter, is that we remember this knowledge later on and are able to put it to practical use.

Knowledge should be such that it hones our capabilities and makes us much more intelligent. Everyone is capable of achieving brilliance in whatever they are capable of.

However, the sad reality is, the whole world relies on the grading system, overlooking practical intelligence. Infact, we've all become victims to the modern civil education system. Schools are breeding brainwashed robots that have no idea how to apply their knowledge in the real world, myself included.
And I feel ridiculous about it. It's easy to show in the movies how, without studying, you still rank highest in university. Dear reader! That's not how it works in the real world. Atleast that's not how I've witnessed it work in this world ever in my 17 years of existence.
In this world, you get turned down for jobs even when you've had a consistent 4.0 GPA from a renowned university in USA.
In the real world, babies that are still-born don't come alive when you say "aal iz vell".
It's just now how it happens.

What we need is a revolution-- someone to change the whole education system, the whole concept of success, the whole concept of knowledge and brilliance.
Knowledge does not equate to straight As.
Success does not equate to a Harvard education, a Ferrari and a private jet parked on a priceless property in some exotic location.
Brilliance is again, not scoring As consistently throughout your education.

Those are not the definitions in my world, but sadly, they are in the real world.

The real question is- HOW?
How do we bring about a revolution in this deeply flawed education system?
There goes...some food for thought ladies and gentlemen!

February 9, 2010

5 Most Annoying Questions People Ask You

1. OMG! Tum itni moti kaise hogaeeeein?!

A giant balloon tore through my throat and settled itself in my belly ._.
I mean SERIOUSLY! WTF IS UP WITH THAT?! What do you mean HOW?! Either, I have a hormonal disbalance, or I stuffed my face! HOW ELSE DO YOU THINK I BALLOONED UP YOU FAGGOT?! More importantly, why do YOU care if mein moti hogai! You don't just go up to people and say that, that's just moronic and unethical! Oh the sheer stupidity of human kind is going to make me old before age *sits with hand on heart, stooping stature*

2. Alllaaaaaaah! Itni barhi kaisi hogaein tum?!

*pulls hair out* My mommy grabbed me from one end, my dad from another and pulled me together. Or maaybe, JUST MAYBE, a bug crawled its way into my biological system and SCREWED IT ALL UP!

3. Are you okay?

My friends are backstabbing me, my parents practically disowned me, my dog died, why yes, I'm perfectly fine thank you :]

DO I FREAKIN' LOOK OKAY?!?!?!

4. Are you hurt?

Now why would you be moronic enough to think I'd be hurt if I just fell on the middle of the freakin' road on broken glass?!?!
I FELL ON A GODDAMN CEMENT FLOOR! MY KNEES ARE FREAKIN' BURNING!

5. -"Yaar, I'm really thirsty."
-"Do you want some water?"

No, I want to chug down a bottle of acid

._.

I mean really now!