This is an editorial statement on our society's overall opinion on what it means to be "successful".
About this creation
As one might guess, I am a big proponent of creativity and expression. To me, there is no greater joy than to be able to create something with your hands that invokes a response in others, from a smile or a laugh to thoughtful introspection.
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It seems to me, however, that society as a whole puts very little emphasis on exploring one's creative side. Instead, we are taught as a whole that to be "successful" we should go to school, get good grades, and then go and get a good job. We are taught, overall, that "good" students excel in math and science, while "lazy" students take auto shop and sewing.
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I followed society's advice. In college, I majored in Computer Science. I took a lot of math classes. I even interned for 3 years at my university's telecommunications division. I thought that I was doing the "right thing".
All the while I loved the arts. I founded a cartoonist's organization at the University. I drew a daily cartoon strip for the student newspaper. And in between my "serious" classes, I took classes in scuplture, photography, drawing, animation, and music. I even almost joined the Glee Club.
It never occurred to me that I always got "A's" in my art classes, even though I never once got an "A" in any other class. I didn't even feel like I was "working", because I enjoyed my art classes so much.
Now it is many years later, and as I write this, it is my job to sit at a computer in a beige cubicle and write computer programs. I am paid well. My environs are temperate. My chair is comfortable.
I am the man in this model. Society tells me I am successful.
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Comments
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I like it |
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March 4, 2012 |
We always have conversations about this in LEAP. Who decides what it is to be succesful? In these standardized test we take to decide if we get to continue to the next grade, who decides what we need to know to be succesful? This MOC shows what many people are striving for today because society told them it's right, that it's success. To some people, it is but for others the choice is really up to them. |
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I like it |
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June 3, 2009 |
No knowledge is ever wasted, and the idea of success is a relative thing. Even if you don't use the knowledge you gain from experiences and lessons (i.e. school) to follow the traditional form or path of what others define as success, if you gain a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment from your labors (as it were) then you are successful. Money does not equal success, it is the richness of your experience and relationships that are what make you successful. |
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I like it |
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January 6, 2009 |
sounds like the story of my life as well. My cube is grey with wood accents since it's on the executive floor of AVX Corp Word HQ. Latty-dah! It sounds great on the outside, but I can't wait to get home and get in some brick-time.
*ponders how to be #7...* |
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I like it |
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December 8, 2008 |
My office walls are blue, but apart from that this could be me . . .
Nice MOC Sean, it's not often that a Lego model makes you stop and think. Love the hand to the chin, that makes it for me. |
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I like it |
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June 25, 2008 |
i highly enjoy this. |
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I like it |
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May 15, 2008 |
Haha this is the kind of job that I'm afraid to get! I don't want to sit in a cubicle for 30 years! But I am curious, is that kind of job challenging in any way? or just plain boring? I'm afraid I wouldn't have a clue what to do! haha. Nice model! |
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I like it |
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Paul Beach October 22, 2007 |
Neo JUST before the Matrix! ROFL!!! |
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I like it |
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June 17, 2007 |
Well done. The muted colors show the happy, successful... Stifling boredom...
The thing I like the most is the hand to the chin. That makes the creation, IMO.
Nice job, again! |
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I like it |
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August 10, 2004 |
If you think about how important success is in the eyes of others matters only there, think again. I know people here (India) who slog the s*** out of themselves all their lives and never end up enjoying what they do EVER. I know guys who spend most of their day (and I mean like 16-17 hrs) just studying so they can sit in a chair and struggle all their lives all over AGAIN. Youv'e captured this mood nicely. |
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I like it |
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August 10, 2004 |
The MOC is very detailed and I really like it, but unfortunately, the things you describe are all too true. I can only hope I can break the cycle when I start out on my own career path. |
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More from Sean More across MOCpages
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student teen kid toy play lego child video game hobby blocks construction toy legos fun games
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