Age of Technology

Ever since the days of young, people have had interests and passions that they wish to learn, whether it be an art or something that we wish we could get better at, in which people don’t understand that with practice and patience they could be that good, or do that. Especially nowadays with the information gathering methods we have, such as youtube and the internet in general, it is as easy as ever to learn about new topics and interests you may have. When I was younger and I developed an inherent interest in photography, I was lucky enough to have many resources at my fingertips that I could use, thus enabling me to be able to expand my knowledge about photography, which at the time was very minimal. After, I got my first point and shoot camera and learning the basics through countless youtube videos, and basic camera experience.

When reviewing the quote “Education is not the filling of a pail, but rather the lighting of a fire.” it seems to reference how education is something that should be sought out and yearned for, not an experience in which you must trudge through and just get by (Yeats). Rather than something you take for granted, it should be seen as a privilege and almost as a blessing, you must seek to learn what you have a passion for, and really strive to persue it, even in the face of hardship, education should be sought around every corner. With “the filling of a pail” I believe this references complacency, and how some see education and learning simply as something they must do, simply learning enough to scrape by and abstaining from any further gain (Yeats).

With this in mind, it becomes exceedingly easy to see how in almost complete contrast there are those who do everything in their power to attain knowledge if its something they’re passionate about. It would seem to me that these are the type of people that Yeats is referring to, and in turn these people have already attained the attitude that Yeats wishes everyone to strive for and replicate in terms of their priorities. Yeats seems to want to inspire others to have an attitude towards education that seeks to inspire others to not only get the education required but to go beyond the necessary, and to seek an education that you want and desire. This such attitude compliments what is currently available in todays world, whereas we have systems and establishments in place to make learning extremely attainable through colleges, and other such post high school education. Many teachers and parents seem to reflect this position that Yeat’s supported. Whereas parents and teachers want their children/students to go to college and be successful so that they may do something that they want.

In conclusion, Yeats most definitely understands why education is so important, his views on education not only serve to inspire, but also to educate those who see their personal education as a bare necessity and a mandatory requirement rather than something they themselves should see to expand. Yeats quote, also brings me back to a time when I also experienced this type of passion for learning, although not in a conventional sense for a school subject or such, but rather in a recreational sense that could easily be applied to a career, joblike situation, or even a college application, I am of course referencing my knowledge and learning process for photography, and how I had to learn about what I was actually doing, and in turn found an awesome hobby that can be turned into a career with enough skill and knowledge. That said the knowledge that I am able to attain as of now, will complement the knowledge that I will learn later on, that way not only will I have a degree that says I know my stuff, but also have the experience and knowledge that I have gained over time to deliver a worthwhile final product that I am satisfied with. Once, everything is said and done, many people will not find satisfaction in their lives if they do not do something worthwhile, that they enjoy doing, it is only by education and a personal desire to learn that people are able to attain the joy that they seek.

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