"In short, I am convinced, both by faith and experience, that to maintain one's self on this earth is not a hardship but a pastime,
if we will live simply and wisely; It is not necessary that a man should earn his living by the sweat of his brow, unless he sweats easier than I do."
-- Henry David Thoreau
Monday, April 11, 2005
Play, not "Work", not "Study"
by AJ
Create interesting, fun, absorbing happenings in the target language-- thats how AUA's David Long describes the goal of his program. And it was great (well, in level one anyway.... see my teaching blog for more details about AUA's language program and my critique of it: Effortless Language Acquisition).
He also had another great saying, "all education should be kindergarten". He envisioned a school for adults that was structured on the same principles as kindergarten. The "school" would be a giant room with many centers. In each center, a teacher would create HAPPENINGS (experiences, workshops) around a particular topic. These would NOT be passive lectures. Rather, they would be hands on workshops. One teacher might teach Thai massage. Another might be taking apart a motorcycle with students. Another would be teaching the basics of SCUBA. Another would be telling stories, while still another would be teaching a class on making SomTam (spicy papaya salad). All of this would be happening in Thai (geared to the level of the students). So a beginning level class would use very very simple vocabulary,... while advanced students would delve into the fine details of the project.
Students would be free to wander into the school, peruse the centers, and join whichever appealed to them. If the teachers did their jobs well, the students would be so absorbed in the happenings they would forget they were occuring in the target language (in this case, Thai).
I got a taste of this in AUAs level one classes and it was great. I learned that when you learn something unconsciously, you truly ACQUIRE it.
For example, I learned the Thai word for "pineapple" this way. I did not learn it by memorizing a translation. I did not learn it from drilling a language point using a flashcard of a pineapple. I learned it by cutting a pineapple, eating a pineapple, and listening to stories that included pineapples. I learned it by making dishes that included pineapples and doing a goofy "pineapple dance".
As a result, if someone asks me in English "Whats the Thai word for 'pineapple'"... I will often pause and be confused. It takes me a second because I didnt learn a translation.
But if you show me a pineapple, I will instantly think "sapparot".... no hesitation. If I want to say the word, I dont first think of the English word "pineapple" then scan my memory for the Thai word. Rather, I picture a pineapple in my mind and up pops "sapparot" instantly.
On my teaching blog I detailed my disappointments with AUAs other levels... but those disappointments stem from the fact that they neglected their own method at those levels. The method is sound. Its tremendous fun, its totally stress free, its interesting, and it works.
Which brings me back to kindergarten.
What makes these experienes so effective and fun? I argue that it is the element of play. In AUA's level one classes, we did not "study" Thai. We played IN Thai. We were entertained IN Thai.
What if we took this approach not only with foreign language education, but with all of education and indeed, with all of "work"? What if your "job" was to show up in a big room and peruse various projects that were going on... then join the one that seemed most interesting? You'd make an income based on your contribution. Or maybe you'd operate on "alternative economics"... using barter or your own units of exchange.
This is one reason I enjoy freelance writing so much. I choose a topic that Im interested in, write an article, then share it with some extremely cool people-- who pay me and publish it if they like it. I dont consider it "work" at all.... though I may spend hours... or days, on a simple short article. A few months ago I played with an article on Muay Thai. I wrote it, then re-wrote it, then re-wrote it again. I put a huge number of hours into the thing.... and in the end, it still sucked. No one wanted it, and rightfully so. But I still had a good time playing with it and didnt care.
By contrast, I am loathe to do even an hour of imposed "work" at my job. I hate it. I resist it. I do the minimum with as little effort as possible. If I didnt get paid for this effort, Id go ballistic! Id strangle them. There is little joy in the process itself.... its not "play", its drudgery... so I want my damn money.
The trick is to carve out playful freelance (or free agent) projects that bring in a livable income. Writing is one option. Both Matt and I use it as a supplemental source of income. My friend Wat, in Thailand, makes jewelry and sells it to tourists. Matt finds that being a free agent teacher is fun and playful. My friend Kristin enjoys massage so she does that. She often trades massages for goods or services (she's gotten a great deal of typing and editing out of me, for example!!).
What we are all trying to do is to return to kindergarten... to that time when learning, effort, and play were not separate, but one and the same. Im not saying its an easy goal to reach.
But I believe it is doable. If we remain persistent and determined, we can bring play and joyful effort back into our lives.... at first slowly, as supplements or part-time... but sooner or later, full time. The end of "work".
"Poets are those who have made a profession and a lifestyle of being in touch with their bliss... Follow your bliss
and don't be afraid, and doors will open where you didn't know they'd be. Always go where you want to go
-- where your body and soul want to go. When you have the feeling then stay with it, don't let anyone throw you off."
--Joseph Campbell
"When you're on a journey, and the end keeps getting further and further away,
then you realize that the real end is the journey."
--Karlfried Graf Durckheim
Links
Hobopoets & Freedom Fighters (Blogs & Websites)
Hakim Bey Fantastic- The anarchist-sufi prophet of Hobopoets! Visit this site!!
Anthropik Dedicated to ecology, anarchism, and primitivism. Fantastic blog.. great compliment to Hakim Bey's ideas.
Ian Trimble A fantastic blog from a fellow Georgian Hobopoet!
Plark A traveler and hater of work.... nice thoughts on living a meaningful life.
Pupil in Denial The writings of a woman who is staunchly resistent in ever parting with her lovelylife of an undergrad slash part-time barista
which is everfaithful in churning quickmoney to satisfy her wickedwanderlust!
Callan Bentley Writing, Photos, and Art by the talented hobopoet
The Taoist Poet Cym Urban's thoughts and reflections on the meaning, purpose and nature of life.
Rolf Pott's Vagabonding Rolf is an excellent travel writer. This is a great site for international wanderers.
Gerry Spence A lawyer for the poor, the injured, the forgotten and the damned against
"the new slave masters," mammoth corporation and mammoth government.
Andy's NLP Site THE resource page for "alternative" mental health, anti-psychiatry, NLP and neurology
"Because of the dogma of workerism, unemployment is a problem rather than the boon to humanity that it should be."
--Len Bracken
"Our houses are such unwieldy property that we are often imprisoned rather than housed in them....
Most men appear never to have considered what a house is, and are actually, though needlessly poor all
their lives because they think that they must have such a one as their neighbors have." -- Henry David Thoreau
Simplicity & Car Living
The Simple Living Network Tools, Examples & Contacts For Conscious, Simple, Healthy & Restorative Living
Phred's Lots and lots of info on RV living... much of it applicable to car living as well
Mr. Sharkey's Bus Page The Net's largest compendium of information
relating to House Buses and House Trucks
Don't Come Knockin For van addicts everywhere. Has a short essay on living in your van.
Green Trust Dedicated to the promotion of renewable, sustainable technologies that are used to provide Food, Water, Shelter, and other survival needs.
Campmor Great source for camping (and car living) gear. Scan their "hot deals" for cheap stuff
Rolling Times TONS of information on RVs and RVing... much of it applicable to van/car living.
"Most of the luxuries, and many of the so-called comforts of life, are not only not indispensable, but
positive hindrances to the elevation of mankind. With respect to luxuries and comforts, the wisest have ever
lived a more simple and meagre life than the poor" -- Henry David Thoreau
"A kind of second childhood falls on so many men. They trade their violence for the promise of a small increase in life span. In effect, the head of the house becomes the youngest child....
I did not want to surrender fierceness for a small gain in yardage. My wife married a man;
I saw no reason why she should inherit a baby...
And in my own life I am not willing to trade quality for quantity." --John Steinbeck, Travels With Charly
Fran's Hobo Page Great hobo site with lots of links to hobo related information
CyberHobo Website for the modern Hobo.... work and transportation have changed, but the spirit of freedom and nomadism lives on.
Boxcar Whitey Boxcar Whitey's Boxcarfull of Lore, Tall Tales, Witticism, Traveling Anecdotes. Hobo stories, river lore, etc. Very interesting.
North Bank Fred Extensive resource for photographs, stories, and articles
about freighthopping, hoboes, and boxcar art.
"The difference between a priest and a shaman is that a priest is a functionary and the shaman is someone who
has had an experience." --Joseph Campbell
Homelessness
Mad Housers Build housing for homeless people. These guys rock!!
Their huts cost $300 or less to make and are great for Hobopoets too!!
Dignity Village The homeless choose their own fate.
DV is a tent city in Portland, Oregon.
Squat.net International site on squatting, voluntary homelessness, etc...
Streetviews A publication by and for Homeless Folks.
"Trust yourself to react appropriately when catastrophe happens.
Failure of nerve is really failure to trust yourself." -- Alan Watts
"The negative refusal of Home is "homelessness", which most consider a form of victimization,
not wishing to be forced into nomadology. But "homelessness" can in a sense be a virtue,
an adventure- so it appears, at least, to the huge international movement of the squatters, our modern hobos."
-Hakim Bey
Spiritual
Vipassana Meditation Fantastic meditation courses all over the world (free)!! I HIGHLY recommend them.
Thicht Nhat Hahn Links to books, tapes, and retreats by the re-knowned Zen monk
Zen Guide Basic info and resources concerning zen buddhism
"Act as if you were already free... take the risk, dance before you calcify."-- Hakim Bey
We must constantly remind ourselves (since our culture won`t do it for us)
that this monster called WORK remains the precise & exact target of our rebellious wrath,
the one single most oppressive reality we face. - Hakim Bey
Poetry, Writing, & Art
Cafe Press A fantastic self-publishing site. No upfront costs. The wave of the future for DIY publishers.
Written Road Jen Leo's travel writing site. Very good and very informative.
Published! Great site with information about being a freelance writer.
Basho A brief biography of the celebrated wanderer and poet
The Beat Page The original Dharma Bums. Great stuff.
Arthur Rimbaud A glorious site with poems and a biography of the restless mad genius.
Aldous Huxley A collection of links and info on the great writer-philospher.
"In proportion as he simplifies his life, the laws of the universe will appear less complex,
and solitude will not be solitude, nor poverty poverty, nor weakness weakness" -- Henry David Thoreau
"Altough we all realize that monotony is boring, almost every form of industrial work- banking,
accounting, mass-producing, service- is monotonous, and most people are paid for simply putting up with monotony..."
--Alan Watts
Indy Media & Politics
CommonDreams A fantastic source of independent and progressive news! Highly recommended!
Flagpole Magazine Athens, Georgia's standard-bearer of indy journalism, art, and music.
Truthout Another incredible site for independent news!
Indy Media Another great source for independent news
FAIR The name says it all: Fairness and Accuracy In Reporting. A media watchdog (but the name may be an oxymoron :)
Michael Moore The guy who brought us "Stupid White Men", "The Big One", and "Bowling for Columbine"
This Modern World A brilliant cartoon, more informative than most mainstream media and alot funnier
Ted Rall Biting political satire and great cartoons!
"And what is the nature of a wasteland? It is a land where everybody is living an inauthentic life, doing as other people do--
doing as you're told, with no courage for your own life. To live an authentic life, Take your wisdom from your own experience.
Because in thinking, the majority is always wrong." --Joseph Campbell
"All societies tremble when the scornful aristocracy of the tramps, the inaccessibles, the uniques, the rulers over the ideal,
and the conquerors of the nothing resolutely advances." --Hakim Bey
Nomadism & Travel
BootsnAll Independent travel stories from around the world. Contribute your own.
World Hum Travel dispatches from a shrinking planet. Good travel writing site.
Slacker Travel Independent travel tales. Submit your own.
World 66 Sort of an interactive, online guide to travelling the world. Do without the heavy guidebook.
Lonely Planet The budget backpacker's standard. Where to stay, how to get there, etc... Good nuts and bolts
guides for the budget traveller.
Rough Guides Another excellent series of budget guidebooks.
Rolf Pott's Vagabonding Rolf is an excellent travel writer. This is a great site for international wanderers.
Effortless Language Acquisition Blog with resources, essays, and information about teaching a language effortlessly.
Subtitled "The Tao of Language Learning"
Total Physical Response This is a fantastic method for teaching English! Great materials for teachers.
TPR Storytelling Take TPR to the next level. Great for intermediate and advanced students.
Focal Skills Approach An innovative approach to teaching English. Complements TPRS nicely!
SD Krashen Incredible site by the expert on natural teaching approaches. More oriented towards academic research than classroom techniques.
ALG World Automatic Language Growth. Fantastic ideas about language teaching!
Dave's ESL Cafe The mother of all job sites for teaching English internationally.
Ajarn This is the largest and most comprehensive website for English teaching in Thailand.
Has an extensive job board, plus general information about living in Thailand
Stickman's Bangkok An in-depth site with practical information about living and working in Bangkok.
Cocky, cynical and negative- but the basic info is good.
Tealit Site for teaching English and living in Taiwan, including a job board.
Another year is gone -
A travel hat on my head,
Straw sandals on my feet
--Basho
"If there's one thing I hate, it's the word "safety". We live in a civilization of safety, in which we are
eventually cocooned from all danger, that is to say, from all experience. What we are left with is a vegetable
plugged into a computer, who never leaves the room, like a hideous vision of a William Gibson novel.
We would be well advised to rediscover risk." --Hakim Bey
Worldwide Learn Directory of online programs and courses. A good place to start a search for a distance learning program.
Peterson's Guide to Distance Learning Huge searchable database of American distance learning programs.
Includes both undergraduate and graduate programs in many fields.
"Remember above all things that to write is not difficult, not painful, that it comes out of you with ease,
that you can whip up a little tale in no time, that when you are sincere about it, that when you want to impress
a truth, it is not difficult, not painful, but easy, graceful, full of smooth power, as if you were a writing
machine with a store of literature that is boundless, enormous, endless, rich. For it is true; this is so. Do
not forget it in your gloomier moments. Make your stuff warm, drive it home American-wise, don't mind critics,
don't mind the stuffy academic theses of scholars, they don't know what they are talking about, they're way
off the track, they're cold; you're warm, you're red hot, you can write all day, you know what you know...."
-- Jack Kerouac
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