EDUCATION FOR LIFE

My mum works as a teacher. She uses to say that when she was little, children were not allowed to do as many things as current young people do. She insists on the fact that they all had a better education, coming from school but also from their own home. In this aspect, they had to cope with life abruptly, in a single-handed manner with no much help, so they could develop themselves into accomplished human beings. The polemics about education have always been there; it is true that falling back on the old way of  education is not an accurate solution, but, in my opinion, there are several points which should be dealt with in order to improve our current educational system.

Firstly, talking in a school context, I would somehow change the way of teaching. For example, I would not guide students just to memorize the content to “throw it up” in the exam, because there is no retention of information, and the process turns to be so useless. It is scientifically evidenced that children work better if they interact with the teacher and elaborate their own information, thinking and understanding every single reason of the matter. Actually, Finland´s educational system is based in this idea, and that is why their students obtain such great results in PISA and other surveys.

Then, talking in a familiar context, children should be in a general way more controlled. The trouble-maker or disturbing pupils are usually those children who have not been imbued with some sort of essential values (such as respect to other people, prudence or empathy) at home. One of the most remarkable reasons is that current parents do not want their children to be sad or to be angry with them, so they spoilt them (buying them unnecessary whims, allowing them to do whatever they want...). Then, children who are able to enjoy these privileges do not usually value the effort of other people, and often act in a careless way with everything else which does not include them. 

To sum up, I would like to say that we must educate our children just in the way we would like to have been educated, thinking about the future of the children and about the importance of a proper way of thinking or acting in every aspect of life. As a clever man once said: “Education is the main pillar of society”

THE PURPOSE OF EDUCATION

Platon, in his writings about education 2,400 years ago, used to say that “the whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows”. He insisted on the fact that the one who has not been educated is not able to see the light of the Sun, because remains in the dark depths of a cave. Regarding that today´s society system is partly based on the thoughts of this philosopher, he was not that misguided. However, I would go further with the final purpose of education, considering education to be extended to three levels (which are actually in permanent connection with each other): the cognitive, the practical and the personal one.

Firstly, talking about the cognitive field, we should remember that one of the main purposes of education consists of introducing new knowledges to humans, in order to make us understand how the world works (as a very general overview). This aspect of education is really important to make people develop into accomplished human beings, and to make the difference between a modern and up-to-date society and a paleolithic one. If we were not able to understand who we are, why things happen, why something is good or why not… then there would not be any room for any kind of improvement: we would rest just as another ordinary animal species. That is the reason why we could say that cognitive education is the basis of the whole social system nowadays.

However, education is not just a matter of theory, books and study. We could say that education also reaches a practical level, helping humans in the everyday reality, in plethora of situations to deal with… This could be another remarkable purpose of education. For example, if you want to get a job, it is essential that you have previously adquired some necessary skills. Focusing on professional scientifics, every single scientific or technologic breakthrough is the result of applying some knowledges  to the real life, to the practice. Thanks to practical education we can enjoy our current and well-off lifestyle (electricity, stored food, potable water, advanced technologies…).

Finally, there is another field in which education takes part: the field of personality. As far as I am concerned, the most important purpose of education has to do with this field. When humans become developed adults, our way of acting is determined by the education we have received previously. That is to say, education will help us to be aware of risks, to be polite, to think in advance and clearer, to be charitable and empathetic, to behave properly and coherently with a certain situation… In general terms, education will help to build a strong personality which will determine the distinctive features of every person.

To sum up, it is worthwhile to mention that although education must be used to introduce new knowledges to humans (and to make humans apply them in real life), education must go further with the aim of creating a balanced society, supported by some essential pillars, such as peace, goodness or common sense. As Nelson Mandela used to say: “Education is the strongest weapon you can use to change the world”.

TECHNOLOGY OR HUMANITY?

Unarguably, the advantages of technology are countless. With just pressing a button, you can go online and access lots of websites, send instant e-mails to whoever you want, buy products and also pay for them, download free pictures (as well as games,  videos, etc.), access to plethora of information about every single topic you could imagine, create texts, take pictures or record videos, and many other examples. Holding a face-to-face conversation from China to Spain is possible nowadays, and people can always be connected with their families, friends and almost the entire world, without the need of writing letters to long-distance communication. This amazing reality was unthinkable 50 years ago: it seemed impossible.

The new generations of young people (especially since 1990) are becoming more and more addicted to the current electronic technologies and all the devices involved. This fact has lead to the appearance of a new period in the history of the humanity, another step to evolution, a new real era: the Era of Technologies.

However, the disadvantages are also important. It is not only the addiction it creates in people (which is really hazardous though), but also some major problems. For example, the appearance of cyber-bullying is a result of the bad use of technological resources. Social isolation is also a typical problem in young people´s personality, because they trust too much social media such as Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Besides, the information stored in our electronic devices is usually enormous, and we are not aware of the fact that if the Data Cloud crashed, we would lose everything.

To sum up, I would like to say that we should not forget we are humans, natural living beings, and technology is there for our help, for making our lives easier. We must never let ourselves be influenced or dominated by these electronic resources. As Einstein used to say: “The day when technologies overcome humanity, then we´ll be completely idiot”. 

MY GRANDFATHER

I have a lot of blood relatives in my family, because my mum-side family is huge and my dad-side one is also very large. However, there is a special person for me. It is so special that I consider him to be my role model: my grandfather.

I can assure my grandfather is not a normal person. Well, physically, he is pretty much alike to his 80 years old friends (he is medium size tall, he is chubby, grey-haired, a bit forgetful due to his age...); but mentally, he is different from everyone else I know. He has had to overcome lots of misfortunes since he was a little child. For instance, his father died fighting in the Spanish Civil War when he was 7. He had 5 more brethren and his mother did not have enough resources to maintain them, so he had to work as an agricultor when he was 9. He could not attend school, and he could not receive any education. When he got married, he had 5 children, and one of them died at the age of 17. This was another hard blow for him. However, he has always tried to get over his problems and smile, in spite of the wounds which life had made him. This is exactly why I admire him so much. I would also like to be capable of being that modest, optimist, not moody and sensible.

While lots of people do not value the elderly, I love sitting next to my grandfather and listening to him and to his countless stories about past times, about lost traditions, about an unknown society for me.  I wish he could stay with me forever!

THE INFLUENCE OF ADVERTISING

The influence of the media on the development of children and young people is hugely increasing. Research has shown that the young sector of the society is psychologically defenseless against advertising. That is to say, they do not appreciate the intent to sell in adverts, so they are not able to judge whether the product is worthwhile or not.

The advertising agencies do not seem to care about the possible influence they cause. The enormous budgets and incomes, provided by the companies interested in promote their products, give birth to lots of adverts full of positive and negative influences. However, in my opinion, there are much more negative than positive ones. For example, some adverts are so well-thought and cunning that many people feel the necessity to buy the product, regardless the price or the real utility of it. Young people seem to be much more affected by adverts and well-known brands, spending huge amounts of money in purchasing these products in order to be cool or to outstand amongst friends. Furthermore, there are a lot of techniques to influence the customers (who actually do not usually realize they are being influenced), as for example the use of powerful slogans (“Just do it”, “I´m lovin´ it”, “Think different”...) or the use of powerful images (a pretty girl or a handsome actor who invite you to buy the product).

As far as I am concerned, I think that there should be a stronger public organism with the ability of regulating the adverts which are published on the TV and other ways of media. This organism could be integrated by specialists (such as psychologists) who would determine whether the advert makes bad impact on the society or it is a factual way of communication. In this way, I think society could improve... But it is a pity that this solution is so unrealistic: the companies drive too much money to elaborate fair adverts.

OUTLINING

Studying music and playing an instrument should be essential subjects in every educational system.

1. Music makes children open their minds and be succesful in other aspects of life.

·       It improves their ability for concentration.

·       It raises their self-esteem and self-improvement when they are exposed to problems.

·       It involves creativity and imagination.

           2.      According to many scientists, there are several advantages in health.

·       As it requires the use of the two cerebral hemispheres at the same time, it delays or even avoids diseases such as Alzheimer or autism.

·       It allows to get rid of the daily stress, so it can prevent cardiovascular problems.

           3.      It is a nice experience.

·       An opportunity to make new friends, participating in bands, orchestras, choirs or any other group activity.

·       Another powerful language, another way of communication, so useful to express thing which can not be expressed with words.  

TEENAGERS AND ALCOHOL

Modern teenagers seem not to know how to hang out, especially at night, if they are not either drinking alcohol or smoking. The streets at the weekends are often crowded of young people, who are usually quite drunk. “Street drinking” is not only a problem which involves themselves and their families, but also the whole society. The moans to these teenagers about the noise they produce, the rubbish they throw or the public image they provide are constantly increasing.

But, why are drinking alcohol or smoking such generalized facts amongst young people? The main problem is that young people have not completely settled their personality yet, and ones copy what the others do, in order to be cool or to stand out. For instance, if a friend of yours smokes, he/she will try to get round you to smoke. And if you do not want to accept a cigarette, you will probably be the outcast of the group, and you will even fall out with him/her. So, in order to get out of this situation, you accept a cigarette, an alcoholic drink or almost everything they put forward. From my point of view, this is the cause of the existence of drunken young crowds.

Another remarkable aspect is that Spanish teenagers are more likely to practise street drinking or smoking than other European teenagers. Perhaps the Spanish law is not as regularized as it would have to be. For example, there is control enough over shops (which usually sell alcoholic products or tobacco to young people, without asking the age) and the punishment for drug traders is quite slight.

As far as I am concerned, there are many other ways of enjoying our spare time with friends. For example, going to the cinema, going out to have dinner, doing some sport, going to the mall, or even going to the pubs to drink. There is no point in not drinking alcohol. Not at all. But of course there is a point in being prudent and in thinking about the negative consequences that alcohol or other drugs involve.

PROBLEM AND SOLUTION PARAGRAPHS

Problem paragraph writen by me: 

Poverty is today one of the worst realities all over the world. There are several degrees of poverty, but, in general terms, it leads to unhappiness. Some countries in the world, such as most of them in Africa or some of them in Asia are really affected because the majority of the population is poor there. Millions of children are hungry, and they are even dying of hunger and diseases, because their families can neither pay for medicines nor hospitalary services. However, the real and main problem is that the richer people seem not to be aware of this fact. Or maybe they just do not want to be aware…

Solution paragraph writen by María López Chuecos: 

“In my opinion, poverty is a really difficult problem to be solved, because it involves a lot of different issues, including political and social aspects. From my point of view, governements should improve their measures against poverty and people must help as much as possible (for example, donating money to the charity)”.

WRITING THE END OF "THE MAN ON THE EDGE"

They all were sweating out. The cops did not know what to do, as they did not sound enough convincing to him. But, suddenly, just in the moment he had decided to jump, his wife came into the room with a disfigured expression and begged him not to suicide. She regretted in ten seconds everything she had not regretted in ten years. She admitted she should not have split up, and confirmed once more her love towards him. In that moment, he was absolutely in shock and even more confused than before. “I am pregnant” – she added. “You are going to be father soon. Give me a chance, please. Give a chance to our baby”. His cheeks got redden, and a smile was starting to be drawn in his face. He was so excited that he could just stand petrified like a gargoyle. His sudden future plans made him forget about every problem which had lead him to this situation. He even forgot about where he phisically was. Just in the moment he came back to the Earth, he started to move to enter the room again. His zest for life was already inside the room, even before than the unexpected stumble which made him fall into the emptiness of the heights. However, he was not scared while falling, since he understood his life had already make sense.

WINNING THE LOTTERY

If I won the lottery, I would do lots of different things, depending on the amount of money I earned. For example, if I obtained the jackpot prize I would save part of the money for the future, I would share some of the amount with my family, I would donate money to charity, and of course I would be able to afford my most desired dream ever:  travelling and travelling around the world. I would visit the USA, the Antilles islands, Argentina, South Africa, China, Thailand, all the countries around Europe... 

But if I obtained just some sort of little cash prize, I think I would save it for the future, because perhaps I will need to pay a master degree, a car or an apartment. I would also fix my instrument, since it is really out of tune (it is very old and fixing taxes are not cheap at all!).                    

However, I do not think that winning the lottery would mean the solution for all my problems. It is true that it would be a great lucky break (because of the welcome sum of money it involves), but if  a relative is about to die, if my future wife does not love me anymore and wants to split up, if I get into a depression or illness... the money will never help. Moral problems cannot be solved with money, because money just interferes in the field of materialism. And people who are not able to appreciate this may experience sense of guilt, envy, greed, or dive into a real obsession with money and wealth. In this aspect, underdeveloped countries knock developed countries out: while education and lifestyles revolve around money in the richer countries of the world, important human values such as generosity, humility or empathy are the only hope against hunger or fear to the death in the poorer countries.  

We should be aware of the drawbacks of money, and we should think that family, friendship and life are much more important than wealth. In fact, money comes and goes by so easily, but our closer and beloved people must remain beside us!

ROSTROPOVICH /VS/ SEX PISTOLS

Rostropovich and the Sex Pistols are two well known icons in the world of the music. They both have been performing all over the world for many different audiences which usually got dazzled with their melodies. Likewise, they both earned their living with music: the concerts in which they performed would attract many people (who had to pay rather expensive tickets to see them and enjoy their music). 

However, while Sex Pistols play funk music, Rostropovich is a global benchmark of classical music. Different from Sex Pistols, Rostropovich used to perform as a soloist with the most prestigious orchestras ever. Besides, the clothing style of Sex Pistols is not the same as Rostropovich´s one: Sex Pistols wear much more informal and scruffier than Rostropovich (who used to wear an elegant suit). 

In music - and of course, in life - there should be diveresity: different styles which put accross different feelings, perspectives or likes. That is the reason why we are lucky to be able to enjoy such a different music written by these great artists: Rostropovich and the members of Sex Pistols. 

        

        

UNCONDITIONAL BASIC INCOME

From my point of view, the unconditional basic income is both unfair and utopic. Firstly, this way of trying to distribute wealth and avoiding poverty is not an economic-viable idea. Lots of amounts of money would have to be spent in the distribution, and in the end, everyone (even the economic disadvantaged people) would have to pay for this aim with high taxes and fees. Furthermore, people who are too lazy would take advantage of the situation: they would get money in the same conditions as people who work hard, so the unfairness would be so appreciable in the everyday reality. In my opinion, there should be several aids to help poor people, but the inconditional basic income is not possible in our society; we have to get used to working our own way to the top, so that we can earn our living by our efforts. As Nietzsche used to say: "A person will succeed when he/she squeezes his/her qualities to the fullest".

THE TRUTH ABOUT ZOOS

Although many zoos define themselves as "animals´ hosts", they are actually places where some interesting species are collected to show them to an audience that normally gets dazzled by seeing them. Zoos seem to teach that there is no problem in having trapped, bored, alone and far from their natural homes animals. In fact, some shocking studies show that, for every hour that a person walks through the zoo, animals spend five years or more in there. In my opinion, this is not fun, but a real tragedy.

In zoos, all the natural needs of animals are cut down: migratory birds are not allowed to fly freely long distances, aquatic animals have much less water than necessary, some animals which are used to living in large herds have to live alone... Natural behaviours such as hunting or choosing a partner are completely knocked out by feeding regimes and mating programs.

It is also true that, even though many zoos act under the pretext of preserving endangered species which are currently facing extinction, the general purpose is to find ways to breed and keep animals in captivity. “Protecting species” sounds like a noble cause, but, in general terms, zoos give priority and support the exotic and popular animals (which attract many people) and neglect common species. If the aim is to encourage the reproduction and perpetuation of the species, it would be much more effective to prevent hunting and the destruction of their natural environments, taking drastic measures on the society.

Summing up: although it is true that there are zoos which differ a lot in size and quality (some of them count with huge semi-natural parks, and some others just consist of small places full of cages and iron sticks), and although there are zoos which carry out intensive animal care, I think we should let animals live in their natural habitats, where they can really develop themselves as natural species.

PICASSO IS WORTHWHILE

When I saw this picture for the first time,  it aroused many different feelings in me. Basically, I think it transmits some sensations such as chaos, anxiety, hustle, disorder, madness, despair, suffering, death... This helps us to understand the topic of this painting, which focuses on the horrors of the Spanish Civil War. Picasso, a Spanish republican painter, is inspired by a historical fact characterized for the brutality and inhumanity: the bombing of the town of Guernica. However, Picasso does not represent the bombing itself, but his pain through multiple symbols. Most of them have one thing in common: they are a cry against war, to make us reflect on the destruction and pain that was present in Spain less than 100 years ago.

In my opinion, the bull (at the top, on the left) could be related to the brutality and fascism that oppresses its victims. The woman with the dead child in her arms (under the bull) could represent the pain and despair. The horse (in the middle of the scene) could represent the Spanish people and the maimed man on the floor refers to the war deads. However, I think Picasso draws hopeful symbols, such as the light bulb or the flower holded  by the arm of the maimed man.

Anyway, I think this work is great because Picasso is able to transmit a vision that summarizes and mimics the experiences and consequences of the Spanish Civil War. From my point of view, the painting itself is not pretty or nice to see… because the Spanish war was neither.

THE BBC COMPANY

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is the public-service broadcaster of the United Kingdom which constitutes the oldest and the second largest national broadcasting organisation all over the world. Since 2014, the BBC World Service has made this company expand throughout many other countries, as it provides lots of services in 28 different languages. The BBC has long remained one of the main elements in British popular culture, due to its production of TV and radio for mass audiences. 

Talking about me, I like particulary this company because of two main reasons:

1.         One year ago, I was recommended to listen to the radio in English, so as I could improve my listening skills. At first, I did not like the experience because I could not find anything interesting on the Internet. But when my English teacher in the second year of Bachillerato told us about BBC radio, I really changed my mind. Every night before going to sleep, I used to listening to this radio (BBC radio channel 4 in particular) because the English they spoke was so easily understandable, and also because the chosen topics were current, varied and interesting.

2.         I´m studying bassoon at the Superior Conservatory of Murcia, and that´s because I´m so fond of music and professional orchestras. I wish in the future I could earn my living performing with one of the best orchestras in the world (Berlin Philarmoniker, Wiener Philarmoniker, London Royal Symphoniker, Frankfurt Operahaus, etc.). However, a new orchestra financed by the BBC (which is called BBC Proms Orchestra) has recently been born, and it´s revolutioning the world of the music. The BBC company employs the best musicians all over the world to play together in this orchestra: it sounds incredibly amazing! They usually rehearse in well known buildings in London, such as the Opera or the Royal Albert Hall.

In Spain, there are some public broadcasting companies too, but I think they are not as unified as the BBC. The people´s support and the companies achievements are neither measured on such a large scale. In my opinion, the BBC is much more engaged with people than Spanish broadcasting companies, and that is an important fact which usually leads to success. It´s a pitty that Spanish communications (and culture, in general terms) are not in the same level than English ones, isn´t it?

FEAR

Fear of the future.

Fear of chosing a wrong way.

Fear of not finding what I am looking for.

Fear of wasting my time.

Fear of doubting and fear of regretting too late.

Fear of having nobody when I need everybody.

Fear of letting down those who trust me,

and fear of trusting those who let me down.

Fear of the time which goes by.

Fear of the solitude.

Fear of the inescapable oblivion.

Fear of bitter memories.

Fear of the unpredictable randomness.

Fear of not making the most every second of my life.

Fear of the last bye.

Fear nobody will remember me when I´m gone.

Fear this day will end and fear there will not be a tomorrow.

Fear of waking up to find someone is missing.

Fear of not loving and fear of loving too much.

Fear of myself.

Fear of my fears.

Fear of everything.

I´ve said that.

TIME TO LET THEM IN PEACE

If I were a bull, I swear I would not like to be drilled with one of these sharpened swords. I would neither like to be surronded by the thunderous crowd, which claims for my death as if I was responsible for some kind of unforgivable crime. The worst thing is that I´m sure the ones who practise bullfighting would neither.

Some German friends of mine once asked me why should I be ashamed of my native country, Spain. I answered them I was not ashamed for being Spanish at all, although I can´t really stand two main inner-national things: everything which has to do with politics (the administration network, the scandalous corruption, the educational system, public services, etc.) and some backward aspects which are still part of our contemporanean culture, standing out the “games” which not only do not respect the animal rights, but also humiliate and kill them in a not very kind manner. Even though some of these outrageous games (as the one which consisted on throwing a goat out from a bell tower) have luckily been banned, there is specially one which remains in the present: bullfighting.

But the most interesting question is: how is it possible that bullfighting, such a barbarous act, keeps still alive (with a remarkable public support) in a modern and supposedly evolved culture? From my point of view, it is something completely lacking of coherence. The medieval game of bullfighting has not changed much since its origins, but the historic eras do change! So, if a medieval game is accepted in a modern era… then we deduct the problem lies in the Spanish people´s mentality. Two years ago, a very good history teacher explained me and my classmates that Spanish mentality changes too slowly, and there are several historical examples which prove it. For instance, in 1812, when some new liberal constitutions in Cadiz tried to abolish absolutism, they firstly did not succeed, because people in Spain were used to being governed by absolutist kings. Something similar happens with bullfighting and some other sort of aspects,  which place Spain one hundred years of mentality development before other countries such as Germany, UK, or Denmark.

So, why don´t we stop disturbing bulls? Perhaps we´d better worry about other serious problems as unemployment, home eviction, cultural integration in Europe, corruption, the current problem of massive immigration... Come on, let´s think efficiently!

THE ART OF MUSIC: A FORGOTTEN FRIEND

“Music is the art of expressing those things which can´t be expressed by words”, as Beethoven or Chopin used to say. Music can be considered another way of communication, another language as well as English or German, because there is an emisor who brings a message to the receptor. However, it seems the role of music as a discipline in our contemporanean society is not that important. What is more: it is so undervalued.

I have been learning music since I was 10. I started playing the bassoon, but I also applied for piano soon. Since then, I know my life has changed. Music has imbued me with lots of values as self-encouragement, imagination, perseverance, self-improvement or patience. Even though I´ve also practised sports, painting or theatre (which also involve a huge set of values), I honestly think music has nothing to do with them… it´s something amazingly different. And it´s a pity many people are not able to judge it: you can´t really understand or appreciate music and its advantages until you study it, until you get into this world.

Luckily, I´m not the only one who thinks music discipline is important in the field of education. There are lots of studies which prove that music can supplement and ease one´s development as a human, and there are lots of people who agree and claim for making music an important part of the process of education, as in several powerful countries (Germany, Great Britain, Switzerland…) where the musical culture is essential happens.

However, Spain seems to disagree with this idea. The laws made by the Spanish Government are more and more letting music aside from the general education of the youth. Politicians consider music something minor and subordinate, something lacking of importance, a “hobbie”. For instance, music will not be compulsory at primary school henceforth, and several weekly hours will be taken out at secondary school. In my case, I wanted to study both piano and bassoon at the Superior College of Music in Murcia, but I was not allowed because there is a new absurd law which prohibits students lead two different specialities at the same time… how smart!

Sometimes, I wonder myself what is gonna happen if Spain continues this way. Not only health services, but also education and arts are being frightfully hurt by these current politicians and their backward laws. The question is: how do they expect us to fly, if they are cutting our wings?