You learn such stuff at the university?! Wow~ So there's still hope out there... I always found school quite boring, you wouldn't learn anything interesting there. But of what you told me... geography seems to be very interesting. So the only question remaining is... why do you learn so much about Europe? oo It's quite far away from NZ...
Sure, I respect them immensely. I think Socrates, Plato and Aristotle had some great idealist contributions, and I'm an advocate for Hugo Grotius and his desire for an objective understanding of justice. But... it's almost as though they suggest that the only worthwhile ideas are European. Eurocentrism, basically. As a European, that's all well and good. But as a non-European (three generations, so only sort of), it seems arrogant, quite frankly. I mean during the Dark Ages, Western science didn't advance beyond what the Greeks understood, but what was happening elsewhere? In South East Asia civilisation was flourishing. The Chinese were the only civilisation to have discovered gun powder, and Chinese engineers accompanied Genghis Khan to Eastern Europe, where they had Europe at their mercy until Khan died and the Mongols (inexplicably) retreated. There is increasing evidence that the Chinese 'discovered' America before Columbus. Here's the map which is leading such speculation: Interesting stuff, but it's all marginalised at university, and especially in discussions of political philosophy. I learnt this stuff in geography, and wonder why I don't in politics.
Ah, okay, so I misunderstood what you meant... Famous Europeans are also quite interesting. ^^ Especially all the things they've said and done. You mentioned some I really respect. It's not that I think the "Weapon" part is essential to your name. It is just... strange. I think I'll just have to get used to it. ^^
Nah, famous Europeans. Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, skipping the Middle Ages, and going into the Enlightenment, and now it's a little of European and a little of North American. You actually have to go out of your way to find, read, and discuss ideas that aren't part of this framework. You miss the 'Weapon' part? Hmm, I'm not sure.
You're writing essays about Europeans? So... I hope I didn't get it wrong, but... you're not writing something about me, too, are you? Btw. I have to admit I needed a few seconds to know who wrote to me, as I miss the "Weapon" in your name.
That's the aim, but I'm getting disillusioned with the whole process. So far it's a matter of learning about a whole bunch of Europeans and memorising their ideas so we can write essays about them. I suppose it's foundational stuff, but I enjoy critical thought.
"If you love your work, you will never work a day in your life." Hehe, he's so right about that... I also don't think that I'll work - at least not in the first few years. I love both languages and maths, so it's no work for me. You could say that I work for myself. I even can't wait for university to start to finally be able to learn something new again... ^^" Hopefully you'll find something you really like at the end.
English and maths? Woah opposite ends of the spectrum, huh? I admire that diversity. I'm just trying to keep options open and find something I love. As Confucius say: "If you love your work, you will never work a day in your life."
Woah~ sounds as if you've tried many things. ^^ You don't really know what you want to become, I suppose? I had that problem, too, a long time ago. I've decided at the age of 16 what I wanted to become. :3 So~ I'm gonna study to become a teacher, I want to teach English and Maths. :3
Hah.. looong story. Here's the simple version: I started off doing an LLB (Law) and a BA in Environmental Studies. Then I dropped Law, and changed to a BSc triple majoring in Geology, Geography, and Environmental Studies. Then in the middle of the year I dropped Geology and Environmental Studies, and picked up Development Studies to add to (now Human) Geography. That's where I'm at currently, but I'm thinking off dropping Development Studies and adding Statistics to my Human Geography. Basically, it's never static, and I'm just working on keeping my options open until I find something I both enjoy and I am good at. What will/are you study/ing?
Whoa... New Zealand's great!! o_o I can't imagine not paying for university... that's awesome... so they really WANT you to study. I definitely have to visit NZ one day. <3 Btw. what are you going to study? Have you told me before...?
And no, he just claimed it as a "computer" (which it is ), and no questions asked had a $1000 given to him. He's got to pay it back, but it's interest free as well.
You get money from the government so we can study. It makes sense; you are more likely to have a paying job after your degree, so it becomes easier to pay off. Problem is, people get their degrees and skip the country. That's why they have outrageous interest after 183 days. Sorta ties me here for a while, but I got a scholarship for my first year, so I'm in a good position. I think our fees are really cheap too. About $4000 - $5000 for a year (1 NZ$ = 0.84 US$).
You... get money from the government if you study?! O_o Well, I have to pay quite much every half year just to study.. and even if I got money from the government.. I would've to pay it back after studying. ^^" Btw. funny that you brother bought a PS3 with this money XD Does he need it for studying? xD
You can, but anyone can apply for an interest free loan from the government, as well as a living allowance of $150 a week (far too small, but it helps), and $1000 a year for 'course related costs' (my brother got a PS3 with his). Problem is, it is interest free, but if you leave the country for more than 183 days, then they rape you with interest.
