Morphosis Ltd 27 Jan 2015
Ever heard of Timothy David “Tim” Minchin? I had never, until I came across an “occasional address” for a graduation ceremony that he gave at the University of Western Australia, 2013. I found something in it for me but, some points came out stronger than others. I would encourage you to have a look at the whole speech. However, that does not stop me from sharing the lessons I learnt…
Be Hard on Your Opinions.
I have found that most of us, are critical and sometimes overly opinionated about almost everything that relates to our field, especially designers. However even as I give a critique, I always have to be aware of the questions I am posing toward a particular subject and go a step further and question those thoughts. Tom Minchin starts this point in a way I would rather not quote but, quite true I must say, “A famous bon mot asserts that opinions are like a********s, in that everyone has one. There is great wisdom in this… but I would add that opinions differ significantly from a********s, in that yours should be constantly and thoroughly examined.”T.Minchin
We must always be ready and willing to question our opinions, thoughts and think critically about our ideas as we would the ideas of others. Minchin advises that we need to identify our biases, prejudices and privileges. We need to question our questions and go a step further by questioning those questions that question our questions. Call it meta-thinking.
Be a Teacher
“It would seem that you have no useful skill or talent whatsoever,” he said. “Have you thought of going into teaching?” ― Terry Pratchett, Mort
This should not be your attitude towards teaching; it’s not as easy as implied by the quote above. It should not be something to settle for if you have nothing to do with your life. Why? Because if you are successful as a teacher, you will kindle the imagination, give hope, inspire even.
It is something everyone can do. Being a teacher does not mean being “a teacher”. And again, you do not have to settle for it or do it forever. Take advantage of your knowledge and share it. Tim Minchin encourages us to enjoy what we learn and spray it. It is only right. It also gives you a challenge not just to know things or know of things but, to understand things. That is the only qualification needed.
“[Kids] don’t remember what you try to teach them. They remember what you are.” ― Jim Henson
Define yourself with what you love
It is easy to describe yourself in opposition to stuff, with the things you do not like rather than the ones you do. Being anti-stuff is a big part of how we define our personalities. Walking down town with me would be boring at the least and annoying mostly. You see, I have the tendency to just point almost every building done and what I do not like about it. “I do not like its massing, I do not like the
colour…”It’s a hate mentality. A bid to be part of some sub-culture or another. Tim Minchin challenges us to express passion for the things we love. That we should be demonstrative and generous with the praise we give to what we admire.
“Be pro-stuff, not just anti-stuff.”
-Tim Minchin
Occasional Address
YouTube Link
~Written by Caleb Thuku
