Noam Chomsky on Education

Source:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZbM_MIz4RM

https://ondemand.azpm.org/videoshorts/watch/2012/2/10/1154-an-evening-with-noam-chomsky-education-for-whom-and-for-what/

Noam Chomsky On Education

I have long been a reader of Noam Chomsky.  My introduction to him started back in the Stone Age days of my work on my literature and philosophy while attending CSU Stanislaus University in California.  I was fortunate enough to have several forward thinking professors who were committed to encouraging their students to think outside the box.  My first exposure was the Noam Chomsky famous for his revolutionary linguistic theories.  I will have to admit that I was unable to fully understand the field of linguistics.  That being said, it was an extraordinary period of personal, academic, and professional growth that has continued into the present.   Later I started to read and listen to Mr. Chomsky in regards to political and cultural situations.  I rapidly realized that in order to be an informed artist and creator of relevant material that such considerations were not only preferable but also mandatory.  No man is an island, as the saying goes. 

And here I am some 20 years later ready to receive my Master’s in Business Entertainment in the fast passing of one month.  Finally, I have the tools to make my vision into a reality.  I have sharpened the saw to go Zen for a moment.  Part of my vision includes a series of workshops for emerging talent that will assist them in some small way the same way Full Sail University has generously assisted me.  I have learned through past experience and education that to be creative is simply not enough to cull a thoughtful, intelligent, and loyal audience.  Business is part of that, Marketing is part of that, and technology is a part of that.  The eternal trinity of life experience moves on.

Over the years, I have paid much more attention to the ways in which corporations—small, medium, and large—in all periods of the business life cycle operate in terms of function and branding.  I have come to understand how important it is to learn through observation and—like a good science experiment—observe the outcome without prejudice and judgment.

At the same time, I’ve come to realize that I must dance to my own music if I am to be successful.  I do not define success entirely by bottom line profit although it is certainly a major concern.  After all, if I am to carry my project on to its logical conclusion within a capitalist system, this is indeed necessary.  Note I say necessary and not necessary evil.

In this speech, Chomsky points out that the best and most solid education does not teach students how to parrot answers to typical questions.  Rather the best education comes through by constantly questioning the answers forming new questions.  Chomsky amply demonstrates through humor, facts, and observation that the present notion of teaching to a test doesn’t entirely work.  He further shows that the notion of too much genuine education was, is, and will be a serious danger to those in power.  In essence, they think  ‘let’s teach them enough so that they can produce what we need and not so much that they are a threat to our power base.’

I thought of this in regard to future competition.  Do I really want to increase the talents of emerging artists to a point where they can create potential market threats?  Do I want to create an effort that uses tried and true ‘tricks’ to lure customers in focusing on form rather than content?  What am I as an entrepreneur putting at stake and what sort of legacy will I leave once I’ve reached initiation of my exit plan? 

There is much in Chomsky’s observations that I believe to be very relevant to the new business owner.  Things can change and that skepticism that seems to separate profit from self-created purpose can balance out so long as we as entrepreneurs carefully consider this question.

So, if you see yourself falling into the world of things as they are and the typical pacifism that plagues such notions, think to yourself, what am I going to leave behind for others, will it grow after me, and will it grow in a way that is consistent with my vision. 

No, it is not easy to follow the path less taken.  But it’s surely going to be the more interesting journey.

Special thanks to Professor Noam Chomsky for providing me with the opportunity to think out my vision and all its implications.