Tag: Prose

Respect

What’s a thing you wish schools actually taught?

Respect starts at home. But schools don’t help with today’s lack of respect. Why?

Respect goes both ways. It’s fair to say that students should respect teachers. But it’s also true that the teachers are the adults and it’s up to them to set an example. So, when teachers treat the students with disrespect, is it any wonder that’s the treatment they get back?

This is not meant to demean those few teachers who do show respect for students. But sadly there are many more who don’t.

So, what needs to be taught? Respect. All the other lessons will follow automatically.

Being a Lifelong Learner

Are you a lifelong learner?

Short answer, Yes!

It would be easy to settle back after the years of schooling and simply drift through life relying on the knowledge we gained. Or would it?

Let’s face it, we all learn new things throughout our lives. Otherwise we would never manage. For many retired people that would mean still doing things the way we did them 50 years ago. And for most of us, that doesn’t happen.

But that’s not what this question is about, is it. This is about learning, not just new skills for everyday life like how to use a microwave, or a web-connected dishwasher. This is about new subjects. This is about new careers, even.

Continue reading “Being a Lifelong Learner”

Quill, ink, and paper

Which outdated technology do you miss the most, and why?

Okay. I’m not old enough to have used a quill regularly. But there’s something about the idea of slowing down in writing that is missing today.

It’s so easy to fire off e-mails, one after the other, without really thinking about the consequences. In times gone by, if you were angry with someone, you might have to sharpen your quill, dip your ink, and scratch away at the paper before sending your letter to arrive “sometime” in the future. It allowed time to think, “Is this really such an issue?”

There’s also something calming and comforting about the feel of a fountain pen scratching paper fibres as it glides across the page. It’s soothing. And it’s something that’s sadly missing today. Screens with styli come close. But there’s nothing to beat a dip pen, liquid ink, and paper.

Cameras Don’t Take Photos

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Cameras don’t take photos

I was at a friend’s wedding in my early 20’s, chatting to the official photographer while we awaited the bride. I commented that I wanted to save up enough money to replace my little Kodak Instamatic with a camera more like his. All he said, at first, was:

Cameras don’t take photos

I was shocked until he added:

People do.

He made the point that having a better camera will not improve your photos. Then he expanded his advice

Taking good photos is about composition and lighting. Learn to take good photos with your little Instmatic first. Then, when you’re happy with them, buy the best camera you can afford.

It was good advice that I transferred to the rest of my life. Learn to use what you have to the best of your ability. Then buy the best that you can afford.

It’s saved me a lot of money over the years.