047. A New Day
The dawn of a new age.
Have you ever watched the movie Accepted? If not, please take some time out to watch it. The premise of the movie is simple; after getting rejected from all the colleges he applied to, to avoid the disappointment from his parents, Bartleby makes up his own college as a scapegoat. He creates a whole website and fakes an acceptance letter, uses his tuition money to buy an old abandoned institute and when he forgets to remove the acceptance feature from the website, other aspiring college goers end up applying and showing up on opening day. The plot builds from there.
The reason I bring up this movie is because of the school Bartleby creates as a result of the fear he holds for his parents’ reaction. He creates an institution where the students get to decide what they want to learn. The students take lead of what inspires curiosity within them, thus, what constitutes as education. Today more than ever, it seems these are the kinds of institutions we need.
I know I am not alone in this belief, so I will not even for a moment entertain the possibility that this is a ludicrous idea, but, the systems that seemed to have served our parents well are no longer eligible for young adults and the generations to follow. Of course, some trades and practices remain of value but, the aspirations the 20-something-year-olds were raised with, are growing further and further out of reach. They are becoming things that only those who are strong of will and violently motivated might be able to reach.
Unfortunately, this is a problem for the youth. In a world where everyone is dealing with whatever they are dealing with, your chances of finding resolve resides in those who face challenges similar to yours. Though, with young people isolated and everyone seemingly existing in their own algorithmically simulated unique universes, it seems tougher and tougher to foster the kinds of connections it would take to find people facing challenges similar to yours.
Perhaps the premise is simple; create a website, accept the people who have been left out by the system, buy an abandoned institute, and allow them to turn it into whatever they feel is missing from the world, allow them to create an environment that inspires curiosity. There might not be a fancy degree or, experience from a fancy institute to go with it but, it seems as though those things are struggling to maintain their value as we peer into this new age.
As the statistics seem to show that a lot of young people are either not moving out or, moving back into their parents' homes, buying an institution might be a little further down the road. However, if you have the privilege of living in a home where you are not under extreme pressure to pay a bill, perhaps try to figure out what inspires curiosity within you. Follow that curiosity. Allow that curiosity to lead you to other people that are trying to define their place in this new age. Share your knowledge, create the value you seek and allow yourselves to be the institution.
I am certain the future is a better place. I am certain there are other people who believe the future is bright. I am certain I will find other people who know the future is full of human connection. I am certain I will find people who are not haunted by AI because they understand that societies, since the dawn of time, have been built by people.
A new day is upon us, and it is time again to ask; what are your aspirations for the future?
Dear reader, life is just getting good and I am excited to see what the future holds. Don't worry, I am aware of all the doom and gloom in the news but, one must believe in the possibility of good to see it come to life. So…why not.
I have not watched Accepted in years, I am surprised I even remembered it, so, I shall give it a rewatch as well. Until then, I have done my best and I cannot wait to end my day as I have done all that I could. I hope you are back here tomorrow for day 48.
