One of the culprits contributing to the decline in the desire to learn is our society’s obsession with instant gratification. Everything can be delivered to our doorstep in the mash of a button, and we can get food to someone through a tiny speaker and a drive-through window. The idea of a drive-through sounds unbelievable when described like that.
Every time I read about the 19th century, I see that people valued educating themselves in fine arts and humanities. Intellectualism and education were respected, regardless of what pathway would give you the most money.
Although money was a factor both then and now, it seems that’s all society cares about. If you major in anything that doesn’t have a straight and narrow path, the main question is: How would you make a living off that?
The incessant desire for immediate results discourages individuals from dedicating the time and effort required for deep learning and understanding. People do not care about educating themselves to better themselves; many want a shortcut to get the newest car or the fanciest house with the biggest yard.
Promoting critical thinking and fostering curiosity from a young age is vital to balancing instant gratification in a learning environment. People should be encouraged to ask questions and want to know about the unknown, but it tends to be frowned upon.
Curiosity fosters imagination and thinking skills. It is important to note that the decline in the pursuit of learning is not an irreversible trend; however, it is the job of present and future generations to ensure fundamental understanding does not experience its downfall. Human beings are naturally curious, and the thirst for knowledge can be reignited with the right encouragement and environment.
We are in an era where practical skills are highly valued. This isn’t such a bad thing, but it is when fewer people feel apt to learn. If I went into a classroom and asked students how many read in their free time or keep up with the news, chances are there would not be many hands in the air.
Students do not feel the need to educate themselves because there is no gratification or recognition for it, so it seems unimportant. There needs to be more emphasis on degrees and formal education, specifically in the arts. This may be all right, but it can lead to the devaluation of profound knowledge. What will it mean to have a liberal arts degree in 100 years?
We live in an era of the information overload paradox, making it incredibly hard to learn. Constantly being bombarded by notifications, emails, and text messages, getting a break takes a lot of work. Instead of getting in-depth knowledge, we get random, bite-sized information. The information overload makes it significantly more challenging to try interdisciplinary practices and become more well-rounded.
Our infatuation with instant gratification and pursuing financial success overshadow the importance of deep learning and intellectual curiosity. While past eras celebrated the value of education in fine arts and humanities, we now question the practicality of knowledge.