Sunday, October 3, 2010

Something to think about

I was looking for some material for my students last night, when I came across this article:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/13.7/2010/09/29/130221453/how-to-live-forever-or-why-habits-are-a-curse

I'm still not sure if the author is 100% serious, but I love what he says about putting oneself in a new situation, and I feel like it helps me understand the past 7 months:

"It would be a beginner’s life. But the beginner is confined to the little things, to the meaningless exercises and pointless mechanics. The expert, in contrast, sees the big picture; the world opens up before the sweep of the expert’s skills. To give up one’s habits, to break free of the arcs, is to trade in one’s expertise.

You gain time, but you lose sense."

What do you think?

2 comments:

  1. Hi!
    How do I get in touch with you? I'm a Portuguese and English teacher. claudiafros@hotmail.com

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  2. Hi Shelley,
    I really enjoyed the NPR article. It summoned this scene to my mind which perhaps happens in a period where many are transitioning from "mechanic" to expert".
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91lJhEzMaH4

    I really liked this as well. It concerns Brazil.

    http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2010/10/04/130329523/how-fake-money-saved-brazil

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