How education continues to ruin my creativity

I have always felt that the education system that grooms us is a pointless, non exploratory, non creative harassment of minds. Since my childhood, I have always felt the 'pressure of performing', on my shoulders pushing me deeper and deeper into the crevices of non creative and mundane existence. 'Rut learning' was a part of my character. I hated history and geography. I lacked knowledge about basic civics and politics. Arts were almost non existent in my life till lately. I forgot the process of 'thinking' about things. 

I was poor at maths. To this day, after all the years of Maths training and celebratory degrees, I still feel dis empowered about Maths. Though I liked Science, senior school and later,  it occurred to me that the world did not share the same affection I had for the subject. Science was another measuring stick in the 'competitive world'. 

Whatever little interest was left in me with regard to Science after senior school made me choose engineering as my next checkpoint. I sincerely hoped that the four years of education will make me an able engineer who could build things and prove theorems. Alas, I resent building flawed hopes. After lots of cramming and pointless exams, I got the degree. While the pressure of academics mounted on me through the four years, I found solace in research. The philosophy of doing something without being judged and without being measured, inspired me. Since it was an hobby, I enjoyed it even more. I had a sense of deep fulfillment when I published my first conference paper as a young undergrad student. 

During this time, apart from my appetite for research, I became increasingly aware of my liking towards 'deep thinking', basic science, philosophy, music and most importantly writing. I also realized that I seeked adventure in my life. All this pushed me to look for options in the contemporary system that would allow me to have a stake in all or most of my interests. I occurred to me that maybe, PhD was an answer.

PhD sounded cool. You get to do research. You get paid doing it. And I heard that you get lots of time to pursue your extracurriculars. I had no second thoughts. 

I innocently mistook that PhD might be a time to pursue science with full heart. A time to begin all over again and reinstill in me the liking for Science and Maths that I have been robbed off, thanks to contemporary education. I also hope that these years be a time I get to learn and practice arts, challenge myself for adventures and discover myself in newer dimensions. 

Over the years, I have come to the realization that PhD is no different from say a corporate job. Everything is measured and you are always under pressure. Publish so many papers, attend so many conferences, work for 12 hours or write a thesis. It has nothing whatsoever to do with your liking for Science or your ability in Maths. If you can deliver, in time, you will get your degree. Period.

 I have also realized that this education system that cost me so many years of my life and possibilities is designed to cater to one specific demand: Industrialization. Like chickens fed before they are slaughtered, we are educated and groomed (read 'learn to un-think') to serve the purposes of few individuals running personal profit making corporations (and governments) and just shrink our lives into being merely 'cogs in the wheels'. Fear of failure is bred into our psyche and we are made to believe that if you don't get this degree and that job, then your life would be miserable. Elaborate systems are in place in our society to ensure that anyone who doesn't follow the line would face misery. I found many of my friends who are exceptionally talented eek out a living under the corporate hoods scared to venture out actively into the realms of their creativity and live a self dependent life. I felt sad that so many artists and possible masterpieces are lost through this.

This realization has inspired me to keep thinking of ways to ensure that I have my way with the world. That I shall persevere to do things that makes me genuinely happy and accomplished.  This meant spending extra hours writing short stories, learning guitar, cycling, trekking, learning Maths and Science on my own, reading, blogging etc. Its a tough plank to balance and find time, but I feel that its the only way I can feel alive. I may not be extraordinary in any of them. But it is the pursuit of them that gives me immeasurable joy.

Today, I came across this comic. I couldn't have related to it more than I am doing right now. I also came across this wonderful Ted talk (which also happens to be the most viewed Ted talk) titled "How schools kill creativity" which talks about pretty much whatever I have ranted above.

Do you feel opined to share your views? Sure, go ahead and comment. I would like to hear you story too.

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