Learning

I broke up a fight yesterday at school. Standard procedure I guess for teachers, albeit unusual in an international school in China.

It was an interesting punch on. One of our students was involved and about 10 chinese students from the Chinese school that shares our campus. One vs Ten, not good odds, but as it turns out, our lad can handle himself (after all he was raised on the mean streets of Mexico) and so he managed to inflict a fair amount of damage until he was overcome by the sheer weight of numbers.

By the time I ran down the 10 flights of stairs to rescue him, the fight was in a lull and had descended to yelling abuse while both sides re-grouped before starting again.

My presence alone was enough to end it. I didn't have to say or do anything. Our man was more than happy to see me, and the other 10 fighters with another 30 abuse yellers were suddenly scared and backed off. The power of a foreign teachers 'status' on students in this country is amazing.

However, what I found particularly interesting was that when I arrived at the football pitch where the stink was unfolding, I didn't arrive as a teacher. I arrived as a mate and supporter of my student who was being attacked my another group that were not related to me. Had the fight continued in my presence I think I would have quite happily weighed in to rescue my kid. I'm not suggesting I would have fought anyone, but I wouldn't have hesitated to knock some of those little pricks on their arses to protect my student.

It seems clear to me that despite my belief that I'm not really a team player and so prefer solo sports and activities, the reality is, I am hard-wired to protect my own, be they family, friends or community members against attack. And, when that instinct is activated, there seems a sudden and clear 'turning off' of all rationalisation. I revert back to some animalistic state.

Who would have thought that a simple school yard punch up could provide such invaluable insights. I say again, the students teach me far more than I teach them!

Why?

I had the following email conversation with UPS China regarding the delay in delivery of some stuff I ordered from the US. I had previously order the same things 3 times, without ant great problem, except filling in customs declarations. This time they said I had to pay taxes.

The money is no problem, but I thought I'd ask the question just in case it was a mistake.

"You need to pay 71rmb in taxes" wrote UPS

"OK, but why do I need to pay the taxes this time, when last time I didn't have to?" wrote I

"good. please complete the form and email it back to me." wrote UPS

"Done, completed form attached. Why do I need to pay the taxes?" wrote I, wondering if UPS misunderstood my question.

"receieved. thanks." wrote UPS

"Why do I need to pay the taxes?" wrote I, becoming frustrated at the lack of response.

"you can pay the driver when he delivers it." wrote UPS

"thank you, thats helpful. But WHY do I need to pay the taxes?" wrote I, wondering why UPS mistook a why question for a how question.

"no problem." wrote UPS

"WHY DO I NEED TO PAY THE TAXES?" wrote I, wondering if the isolation of the question would force her to provide an answer.

"it is necessary." wrote UPS

"thank you for all your help." wrote I knowing that the sarcasm would be lost.

"no problem." wrote UPS, demonstrating my point.

I spend a lot of time in philosophy class teaching the difference between why and how. They are not the same. Why is the foundation of all wisdom, how is a practical realm which only becomes useful once why has been established.

Without why, how is redundant.

After this email conversation and doing further research* I have concluded that our society is moving further from wisdom and closer to redundancy.

It is true we know how to do things now that were previously only the imaginings of crazy people on acid, but it would appear we have no idea why we do any of it.

It's true that my friend at UPS probably just doesn't know why. They probably didn't tell her. And that my friends is the first sign that the end is near.

Here's the advice I give my students everyday. The advice that makes me unpopular amongst the other teachers. If you don't know WHY you are doing something, DO NOT DO IT! Reflect, ask questions, discover the answer, then act.

The only way to get our society back on track is to start asking why. Ask everyone, everyday. Pretend you are 5 years old again, and keep asking until you get an answer that satisfies your soul.


*Further reading:

Alain de Botton - any and all of his books
Eric Schlosser - Fast Food Nation (doco Food Inc)
Peter Singer - any and all of his books