It is hard not to be concerned when every day, one encounters perfectly normal people addicted to alcohol, drugs and more commonly, but equally pernicious, the internet. Are we missing something important in the race to educate our child in this competitive world?
In
principle we all agree that a child should be allowed to follow his passion and
fulfill his dreams, no matter how off beat they are. We cried with the dyslexia afflicted child in Tare Zameen Par and
rejoiced when Rancho went on to become a scientist because he had studied not
for a certificate, but for knowledge. But how many of us walk the talk?
Here is
something that throws more light on what, we as human beings really crave for
and that will perhaps change our ideas about what education should
comprise. We are a unique species not merely for the fact that we have a
proportionately larger brain size but also because mere sustenance is not
enough for our happiness. It seems our brains are hard wired to seek
pleasure…..
Pleasure
in the form of dopamine releasing drugs;
Ecstasy
generated by the toxicity of alcohol;
….Or
pleasure found in the healthier forms of entertainment that are addictive but
not in an enslaving way
Pleasure
is our basic need, just as much as we need nourishment to keep the body and the soul
together. Feelings of pleasure are communicated by a neuro transmitter chemical
called Dopamine that stimulates a specific region of the brain called Nucleus
Accumbens.
‘Dopamine
is responsible for feelings of gratification, it increases motivation and
stimulates motor function. It’s the chemical reason the brain associates joy
with things like eating disorders, sex or completing a difficult task. This
reward system is one of the explanations for why we survive the struggles we
encounter in a world that isn’t necessarily easy or friendly.’
What is
intriguing is that there are many different pursuits that can trigger feelings
of gratification in the very same circuitry of the brain. Music lovers often describe their goose- bump moments while
listening to their favourite song. Research says that it tickles
that very region in the brain that is artificially manipulated with drugs. Valorie Salimpoor, a
neuroscientist working at Rotman Research
Institute in Toronto, Canada, explains
that when we hear music we like, a part of the brain’s reward system is
activated.
Many
athletes claim to feel a sense of heightened calm after a
strenuous bout of working out or running. It’s commonly called ‘runner’s high’
and is backed by research that says another feel good hormone phenylethylamine,
is released after a moderately good spell of physical activity. So much so,
that exercise is often recommended to alleviate depression.
In
fact any activity done passionately by a keenly interested individual would
ultimately generate heightened feelings of satisfaction.
However,
most teachers will testify that a majority of the average school going children would fail to get fired up
about academics!
My
children keep trying to convince me of the truth, with this hit number from
the eponymously named movie ‘M.S.Dhoni- The Untold Story’
‘Padhenge
likhenge toh honge kharab, khelenge kudenge to banenge nawab’
Jokes
aside, I recommend that the education system sets aside time, marks and energy
devoted by a dedicated faculty, to encourage excellence in at least one such
non- academic subject to harness the natural drive of an individual. At the
moment such pursuits do not form part of the mainstream curriculum and that
needs to change. So a student, who fails in Geography, should be able to muster
passing marks since he excels in playing the guitar.
Once
clear, neural pathways have been etched in the impressionable brain of a
youngster, he could be tied for a lifetime, to the ethereal beauty of music or
to the ecstasy of running. He would, in all probability, be better equipped to
ignore the singing sirens of addiction that abound in our troubled society
today.
_________________________________________________________________________
Attributions
Important topic which is normally spoken about very casually and treated as trivial. Well captured !!
ReplyDeleteImportant topic which is normally spoken about very casually and treated as trivial. Well captured !!
ReplyDeleteThank you Aunty!
Delete