Big Think

Josh Valdes commented on Education and Society on February 12, 2009, 3:50 PM

The future of 'higher' education and 'higher' thought, the top of the pyramid, will not be the realm of the university as you know it. Ya'll are good at highly technical research, deep dives. the future is in synthesis by broad based, big picture thinkers, the non-conformists you so expertly filter out of the traditional education system, independent minded creatives, the smart people who can't get good grades, people with ADHD, Dyslexia, or just an acute sense of self direction. Traditional education throws them to the fringe, my Fractal University will pick them up and teach them to make good use of your prize trained intellectual ponies! What you say sir? [challenge format, aggressive]

Josh Valdes commented on Steven Pinker on Academia Today on February 12, 2009, 3:29 PM

An example of the fallibility of universities is the unwavering assumption that test scores and course performance, the measurable factors that student grades are based on, are an accurate judge of what a student has accomplished in developing their skills. This issue is especially acute for people with ADHD and Dyslexia. It's an issue of authority and conformity. The university wants its degree to really mean something that's worth 50-to-100-thousand dollars. To do so, it forces an extreme of intellectual conformity. People with ADHD are natural non-conformists, and therein lies their inability to get good grades. They have the same intelligence distribution as 'normal' range people, but they are less able to conform. The conformity requisite is an artifact of the fact that the data that comes out on a transcript, letter grades next to course titles, itself provides very little information. It’s like using the internet as a forum for business cards; you can't really get a good idea of what's behind it. I’m creating the Fractal University to mop up the mess in your blindspot.

Josh Valdes commented on Who inspires you? on February 12, 2009, 2:41 PM

Martin Luther King jr. understood the long term significance of his own actions. He had the confidence in his unique perspective on the problem of racial segregation, and the future of the United States of America. He held this confidence in his right view, even against condemnation from the very people he labored to free, that is not easy. Deadly attacks and repeated imprisonment didn't stop him from acting on what he know was right, and an entirely worthwhile way to use this short life here on earth.

Josh Valdes commented on Richard Branson Imagines the Future on February 12, 2009, 2:32 PM

I agree that we are the first species of earth life [EL] with the potential to both effectively spread EL beyond earth, and also to protect earth from large meteor impact. It is important that at least some people are thinking on this level. I imagine a future where the creative capacity of highly independent minded people is not subjugated by educational practice, but rather where people like us with ADHD and Dyslexia can work together to explore individual interests and ride our strengths. The working title is Fractal University, and I’m developing it right now.

Josh Valdes commented on Whom would you interview? on February 12, 2009, 2:23 PM

Craig Venter, you claim ADHD, once my Fractal University is up and running, can we please work with your institute on some geentic engineering ideas running wild in my jungle brain? I'd love to eliminate routine dentist visits and daily teeth brushing, for the rest of human history. [among other things]