Signals Everywhere💡

urban systems feel quieter when they’re working right
data moves faster than people notice
learning how cities “listen” changed how I walk through them
invisible tech, visible impact

Why study the Humanities?

A messy personal reflection, inspired by R.C. Waldun’s video

Link to video: https://youtu.be/HBZIl2K7USQ

(Open to new perspectives always! :))

When I was younger, my relatives always reminded me of the benefits and ‘glory’ that came with studying the Sciences. I have nothing against the Sciences and actually enjoy doing a nice balance of both sciences & arts, but the stereotypes against Arts students (treating them as less capable than that of Science students) is not something I can agree with.

Going into tertiary education next year and having to choose subjects, I am pretty much certain that I am going to pursue the Humanities. However, this decision was not an easy one as I went back and forth on whether I should really dive into the Arts stream. (though I think my indecisive nature definitely played a significant role)

What puts people (myself included) off studying the Humanities?

‘A useless degree’ ? :

The jobs offered in the market can be limited and unsaturated in terms of allowing Humanities graduate to demonstrate and apply what they have learnt and practised in University. This may as a result, make Humanities students feel as if what they have learnt is not inherently useful and directly applicable to most of the jobs offered in society.

That being said, what continues to draw me back to the Humanities?

‘I don’t exactly claim to know the answers to everything. In fact, 20 year-olds shouldn’t really know the answers to anything. All I know is humanities students all started from a place of being rather dissatisfied with reality. ’

Because we see the flaws of everyday reality and need a way to organise and understand all those things, to realise that ‘hey you’re not the first one to experience all these things’. Reading the Humanities can lead to a lot of internal revelations and comfort, as we realise that we are not living alone.

‘To me the humanities is just simply working up the courage to uncover what it means to live; what it means to live without the danger of falling into dangerous ideologies’

‘When studying the humanities you’re constantly under the pressure of changing your opinions, perspectives & beliefs; and that could be a really scary (yet I think profoundly valuable) process’

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I think I can really resonate when R.C. Waldun shared that he feels equally confused about his own stance on Humanities, I guess my thoughts on this will develop along the way as well.

Anyways, what a start to my first Tumblr post! Thinking of trying out this platform as a means to express myself, learn and reflect! Feel free to jot down your opinions (respectfully please :))) below if you happen to chance upon this ;)

Important Notes : Online Learning

“Whatever you’re learning, having an instructor speaking with really well put- together visuals can be incredibly helpful in allowing you to more quickly”

“Research shows that it’s much better to watch a video only once and then spend the same amount of time working actively with the content in that video”

“Applying it, thinking about it, writing about it, discussing it with others”