My Response to this Morning's Radio Broadcast
I usually listened to a radio broadcast in my car, and often times you get a segment that specifically for giving your opinions.
This morning's broadcast got me sit straight right up as I listened to this sentence by apparently some psychologist: "The reason why we are so backwards in Academia is because how our school system prioritized memorizing than problem-solving. Look at the US school, a lot of great innovations came from there! Yes we are probably better at solving math equations but there is no innovations or research coming from here!"
First of all, I'm going to say straight up that that sentence is very reductive. There is always this generational bias being told since we were small to always put Western country on a pedestal.
I'd also like to bring this question: "what even 'counts' as great research and innovations?" Because if it means solving community's problem no matter how small, then to me is already great research.
Or does the person is saying that, "Great research and innovation" meant that it gets Worldwide recognition?
Because from what I've talked to other people in academia is that, it involves more than just "your grades or how well your study is". There are some "politics" and "negotiations". It's more than what you're studying in school. Also, I'd like to believe that you can always unlearn the bad habit in past school experience and improve on it.
Of course I cannot say much about the Academia because I don't actively pursue it. I'd rather to just work in my own terms.
My former college friend did not continue on the Academia route because also how much politics and negotiations with the middle man is involved. He felt like he cannot actively help the community back home. So, he went to build his own Community Foundation that values Sustainable living that helped and teach community how to manage or recycle your own household waste.
His foundation is called "Avirama Foundation". You can always check on Instagram if you'd like. Though it's written in Indonesian.
And did you know that his technique to manage household waste is not even on par with the equipments and technique he did at the Lab back then? He used simple techniques but still impactful to the community.
And even, his technique is probably accesible to Youtube and other open source web. The technique may not be as grandeur to worldwide eyes, but it's enough to solve his community's problem. And I'd say as far how what is he doing, is already making a huge impact without even a permission or big media coverage!
I hope you like this more spontaneous blog post! And I'll see you on the next one!