Carpe Diem

THOUGHTS

Tuesday, February 28, 2006

I am supposed to take six subjects in the IB. 3 HLs, 3 Sls. With the supposed emphasis on studying to a greater depth what you are going to pursue in the future and stuff, I think the standard level subjects are all bull. What's the friggin use of forcing us to take subjects that we abhor, and know that will have no impact whatsoever on my life AT ALL. And just for the record, My HLs are : Business, History and English, and the SiaoLiaos are: Math, French ab initio and Bio.

This is not a rant per se, mainly because from an educator's point of view having each student recieve a well rounded education is well, mandatory. And some people actually need to try everything under the sun before they decide what to do. But not me. And this is my gripe. Why ruin my education with things that do not matter to my future career, and what's more sugarcoat it with shit like "Oh you have to develop an interest!"

interesting excerpt from a conversation in class between gina ong and me yesterday:

She: You all have to show a greater interest for maths, because maths is the way of life...

Me: Not for me.

She: So you mean you don't have an interest in maths?

Me: Hell no.

She: So what are you doing taking maths if you dont' have any interest?

Me: Because I'm forced to.

..

The only reason why I'm doing maths and science in IB, or anywhere else for that matter, is that it's compulsory. Wait before you math and science geniuses tear your labcoats to shreds and bang your head with your GDCs, pray tell give the Arts guy a chance to plead his case.

I have never had an aptitude with the logical. Mathematics, and well Science is inherently based on facts and proven theories , and I'm sorry, I just don't get that. I got a PSLE score of 262, with 2 A*s and 2 As, and no prizes for guessing which subject got what. I have always scored A1s and 2s for my humanities, but always mediocre and at best average for math and science.

It's bloody frustrating.

I mean I wouldn't call myself a genius, but I don't think I'm terribly stupid right, so why don't the bloody figures, equations, diagrams and processes make sense to me?! And by the way, I think its beyond my comprehension why people can go " Oh look at that asymptote and marvel at how it never touches zero" , or "I'm sure all of you can visualize easily how the phospholipid bilayer works. Amazing innit." Please. Stop trying to make your subjects more interesting than they already aren't. Personification of numerals piss me off. You pseudo humanity scum. Oh and don't get me wrong, sometimes I study bio for example, and enjoy it alot, but mostly if its about humans.

My point is, Math and Science are so impersonal. So cold, so rigid and void of feeling. So how, in my wildest dreams, am I supposed to develop a shred of excitement and pride towards things, entities that have no emotions attached to them? I love the English Language, and Literature for the reason that although some of the text and literary devices may be abstract, the purpose behind the whole study is to understand the author's FEELINGS, and OPINIONS on a matter, and in doing this, create my own judgements and gain a better understanding. Every time I attempt to analyze a text, I attach my emotions to the characters, to the writer and I wanna feel what he feels, so I can truly understand the message he wishes to convey. I love History, because it deals with decision(policy) making, the causes of these decisions, the consequences of these decisions, and what we can learn. By studying history, I not only learn how to organize my thoughts, I get to step in the shoes of those who have changed our world. It's personal. I love Business, because it deals with people, and what people want. It teaches me to plan, to be able to deal with others, and most importantly teaches me how to think on my feet.

During these classes, I actually have stuff to look forward to. Stuff that I can apply, and learn from. You may say that history is all bout speculation, english is all about rambling about obscure and abstract ideas, and business, well it's just business. But I kid you not. I have a passion for these fields of study. And honestly, how can you say your subject has anything to offer me when you have a problem just keeping your students awake as you drone on about exponents and anophase.

I assure you. I'll never be able to apply whatever stuff I've been taught in math and science in 10 years time. Fine maybe Never is too strong a term. But really, I ask anyone, to show me how applicable Math and Science can be to me , as a person. How can learning about logs and surds better my character, and how will differentation make me a different person? Please. Spare me. Just let me become the journalist/writer that does business, or the businessman that writes. Actually come to think of it, science can be pretty interesting as you learn about what's going on around the world. However, it really frustrates me how I can't seem to visualize the concepts and stuff at a cellular level. Like you talk to me about mitosis and meiosis. I can understand how important they are because without them we can't repair damaged tissues and stuff like that. But start mentioning stuff like "Surely you can understand the importance of the disintegration of the nucleolus." And I'm like, no.why is it important? Put it to me in human terms...will ya?

Leave me alone you cold and pretentious hypocrite However amazing your asymptote movements are, or interesting your Fibonaci's number sequences are, they can never replace, emotion, feelings, events, people, and most importantly, reality, that comes along with my Higher Levels.

phew.

"you have to develop an interest in maths. That' the only way you'll do well."

Well since when has math given a shout about me?

I'm Human, after all.

Delivered at 10:49 PM;