At the ripe age of seniorhood, I find myself in over my head in a program at the University of Chicago reading the Great Books I never read in college. Being a math/science major, not English or history, Plato, Socrates, Locke, Augustine, Descartes, Newton, et al., were not my friends back then.
Now, however, I have the luxury of reading and discussing these works along with classmates who are far more intelligent than I, from whom I learn more than I contribute to the class. Yes, "(limited) knowledge and considerable interest" in what I missed learning define my presence in this program.
Look at the University of Chicago, Graham School, Basic Program. With the beginning of the pandemic, the classes shifted to Zoom. This shift allowed me to join a remote program, although I live in a Chicago suburb. Now I interact with my cohorts from Utah, Tennessee, Texas, Indiana, as well as Chicago and suburbs. Various backgrounds in my group are law, farming, finance, psychology, and others, creating a shared depth of knowledge.
An important lesson I hope students can learn: nearly anything can fascinate you if you look long enough. The second lesson that I’m getting from this is that the richness is best drawn out in community. Last: craft matters.
Thanks for these insights. Realizing now too that I forgot to ask you about your drumming when we talked a few weeks ago. Next time! Once I can finally get the first one edited and posted that is! 😁
This hit home as I recently picked up a book called Deep Nutrition: Why your genes need traditional food. A field I know nothing about except that I enjoyed a variety of foods. She talks about epigenetics which I had never heard of. Much I don't understand but am eager to talk to everyone about this subject. Now I want to find out more and more about this.
I may put it aside for a few days as James arrived yesterday and I'm eager to get started reading.
I just started The Hunter last night and am very excited to be back with Lena, Cal and Trey. I am so looking forward to taking this next journey with them and hoping that Trey comes through unscathed. Also, I am a TOB follower and so agree with all of your comments on Chain Gang All-Stars. It has been in my TBR pile since it was published but I just couldn't bring myself to pick it up. The TOB changed that and I am so glad it did. It will be in my top 5 for the year.
As someone who listens to way too many NBA podcasts, knowing that LeBron/JJ were coming out with this led to considerable expectations—and oh man, did it ever meet those expectations. You're 100% right about the applicability, too, to so many other aspects of life (including teaching!)
Appreciate this post overall, too, as sometimes "indirect learning" is the most direct thing we need. Expertise beyond our expertise can be far more enlightening than that within—and this was a healthy reminder of that.
At the ripe age of seniorhood, I find myself in over my head in a program at the University of Chicago reading the Great Books I never read in college. Being a math/science major, not English or history, Plato, Socrates, Locke, Augustine, Descartes, Newton, et al., were not my friends back then.
Now, however, I have the luxury of reading and discussing these works along with classmates who are far more intelligent than I, from whom I learn more than I contribute to the class. Yes, "(limited) knowledge and considerable interest" in what I missed learning define my presence in this program.
I’m approaching retirement, and as a science major, I’m in the same boat as you. That sounds like a wonderful opportunity.
Leigh,
Look at the University of Chicago, Graham School, Basic Program. With the beginning of the pandemic, the classes shifted to Zoom. This shift allowed me to join a remote program, although I live in a Chicago suburb. Now I interact with my cohorts from Utah, Tennessee, Texas, Indiana, as well as Chicago and suburbs. Various backgrounds in my group are law, farming, finance, psychology, and others, creating a shared depth of knowledge.
Thanks for the info!
Nice to know you’re a fellow KYE-head, John. I love that podcast. I may have a platonic crush on Matt.
An important lesson I hope students can learn: nearly anything can fascinate you if you look long enough. The second lesson that I’m getting from this is that the richness is best drawn out in community. Last: craft matters.
Thanks for these insights. Realizing now too that I forgot to ask you about your drumming when we talked a few weeks ago. Next time! Once I can finally get the first one edited and posted that is! 😁
This hit home as I recently picked up a book called Deep Nutrition: Why your genes need traditional food. A field I know nothing about except that I enjoyed a variety of foods. She talks about epigenetics which I had never heard of. Much I don't understand but am eager to talk to everyone about this subject. Now I want to find out more and more about this.
I may put it aside for a few days as James arrived yesterday and I'm eager to get started reading.
I just started The Hunter last night and am very excited to be back with Lena, Cal and Trey. I am so looking forward to taking this next journey with them and hoping that Trey comes through unscathed. Also, I am a TOB follower and so agree with all of your comments on Chain Gang All-Stars. It has been in my TBR pile since it was published but I just couldn't bring myself to pick it up. The TOB changed that and I am so glad it did. It will be in my top 5 for the year.
As someone who listens to way too many NBA podcasts, knowing that LeBron/JJ were coming out with this led to considerable expectations—and oh man, did it ever meet those expectations. You're 100% right about the applicability, too, to so many other aspects of life (including teaching!)
Appreciate this post overall, too, as sometimes "indirect learning" is the most direct thing we need. Expertise beyond our expertise can be far more enlightening than that within—and this was a healthy reminder of that.