Education — A Tragedy

The world is changingFaster than everTime is compressingAs technology speedsProgress is staggeringYet also unequalBut drive too fastAnd we forget those we pass

Innovation is the answerIt is and always wasFrom fire to farmingFrom medicine to marketsHumanity’s had a great runBut don’t you worryOur run is far from done

The end of civilizationLoss of reason always causesThe only question nowIs what is this season

Creativity killed the catA terrible saying indeedIs innovation a thing to avoidScience not a thing to heedTalk about stupidity and greed

Fake news is a problemThat you already knowA bigger problem stillIs where are we to goOur education systemIs crumbling at the seemsWe teach our children nothingBut manage to quash their dreamsA factory job for youOr maybe a coal mineWe’ll stick you in a cubicleAnd make you count the timeMaybe then you’re worth itMaybe that’s all there isBut let’s be fucking seriousWe all deserve better than this

Do what you loveIt’s an old clicheBut there’s more truth in itThan anything a politician will sayThe nature of work is changingEveryone can seeBut why is that a bad thingAre cubicles so grandIn a world of connectednessOpportunity’s in your hand

The beauty of workIs that you can createGandhi said to “be the change…”And now a future you can makeForget what they tellIt is all a load of liesThe worst part about “good advice”Is that they really tryBut we’re all individualsEveryone uniqueSkills and interests and passionsAre things we HAVE to keep

Can we reinvent a wayTo teach our children rightOne without meaningless problemsKeeping them up at nightA way to performanceNot riddled with RitalinSomething unique to themYet well-rounded tooIs it too much to askFrom folks like me and you

We certainly have the moneyBut do we have the willIs there anything more importantIt is hard to see whatBut I’ll be honestIt’s all fun and gamesTil we cut military spendingTo build an army of brains

Thinking critically, the ability to problem solveThat’s what makes us humanSo why are we starting to devolveFeels like we’re going backwardsAs technology races onIs this all there isWill we learn to carry on

It is becoming more dividedPolitics can’t uniteInstead we’re quickly runningTowards a world without lightWhen did the land of freedomBecome a game of chanceWhere the parents you were born toSaid if you got to learn, play and dance

Imagine a world without learningA bleak prospect indeedYet imagine something still worseA world where you’re forced to readBooks that are boringSubjects without meritHomework and exams with one purposeTo order us in a lineNot something relevantNo, no you seeJust picking a numberIs good enough for meFor that’s what you areJust a number in lineThe factory needs workersSociety says that’s fineSo grab your golden ticketJust 12–16 more yearsPlenty of time to learnAbout suppressing tearsAnd then there’s the debtIt’s monopoly money they sayUntil you find outIt is never going awayThere’s no forgivenessThe collector’s are like sharksThere’s no escape‘Cept a shit job in the darkAnd talk about passionIt’s been purposefully killedDreams spayed and neuteredNo chance to growNo chance for innovationNo chance to knowWhat could have beenHow the world could have changedIf someone had just given you a hand

Fuck this I sayGet your head out of the sandEven an ostrich could seeThis system is crippling manCreativity and passionPurpose and oomphThe world of tomorrowTakes no prisoners chumpIt is up to youSociety can’t tryWhen we come to togetherOur dreams go to dieSo I have a challengeOne short little thingWhat is the life wantThe one that would make you singSpontaneous excitementWonderous applauseI’m dancing and singingFor an important causeWhat is it for youThink hard my friendYou life is on the line

Success and happinessThey’re one in the sameThey’re following your life’s purposeAnd creating your own gameSo if this does anythingI hope it makes you thinkIs that white picket fence Really all you thinkOr is there more in storeThat I don’t knowBut if you follow someone else’s pathYou are sure to forgoEverything of substancePurpose and meaning too

I wish you luck my friendI’d help you if I couldBut the only path to greatnessIs setting out from shoreExploring new landsAnd changing as you go.

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Education — A Tragedy was originally published in Hacker Noon on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.