Long Term Thinking and the Vivarium of Education

[alvinauh]

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I think some of us would have heard of this story some time back. This is the story about someone who sold his kidney for an Iphone. I think many of us would be wondering what he was thinking about. It is rather surprising that someone would go to such lengths for something so shallow. Unfrotunately, this is something that is not unique.

Now of course I am not saying that many young people are selling their kidneys for Iphones, rather, the ability of many to think far ahead. I question their train of thought before deciding on something so rash. This also makes me wonder, are we teaching our young to make the right decisions?

The Vivarium of Education

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I think there are many students who are placed in somewhat of a vivarium when it comes to education. Thes students are at times separated from what the real world can be like and since they are not exposed to what awaits them in the real world, they end up making rash decisions. 

I remember a group of students at a college who were given a scholarship. The scholarship includes a monthly stipend that allowed them to pay for food and rent. However, these students were aware that they qualified for another student loan as well. As such, they ended up borrowing more money to "have fun". 

Teaching Long Term Thinking

While the examples given are based on money, I think this is applicable to other areas of life as well. They say that school does not prepare a student for life and they are absolutely right, but skills such as long term thinking to help students make rational decisions can be daunting. 

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I have tried teaching long-term thinking to younger students and older ones and it can be extremely difficult. I suppose many do not see the relevance of it. This can be due to how it may not be something that affects them immediately. This may make them reject it. I mean, try teaching financial literacy to teenagers who have everything and some may choose to ignore it since it may not be relevant to them. 

Conclusion

Sad as it may be, I think educators should try to constantly teach the knowledge of long term thinking to the students. Most of them may not see the relevance of it. But by planting these little seeds of wisdom, hopefully, it may one day bloom into relevant knowledge for them. Hopefully...

Comments

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[josevas217]

Hello @alvinauh
I recently wrote a publication on a similar topic, talking about the pleasure of the moment or thinking more about the future?
There is a lot to learn, and young people often have a very harmful short-term view.