Collin Braasch
What I have learned about learning is to never give up on a text no matter how demanding or confusing it may be. Confusion is good because it means that the things you are absorbing does not make sense not that you are absorbing nothing at all. In order to learn one must have a completely open mind. If reading with a closed mind or trying to learn with a closed mind then one is giving into outside influence when they should be concentrating on the text with no outside influence except from what is in the text. While learning one must not only give way to an idea but also welcome them for being different and individual thoughts. If a thought that seems plausible is not given a chance to survive in one’s mind then the purpose of literature to further humanity is being negated. Everyone’s rational plausible thoughts must be considered because they may be the inspiration or starting point of the next great realization that humanity can make. Learning cannot take place in an environment containing closed minds. Fear is main ingredient in the pizza of a closed mind. If fear is introduced into a supposed learning environment then one’s true opinion is influenced by factors not true to themselves. One needs a mentally safe and uninfluenced opinion if they are to think freely and with wonder. While one fears the opinions of others, one may alter their conscience view in order for their opinion to be more accepted by their peers and people they feel will judge them based on their opinions. This is unwanted by those willing to learn. The environment must be as comfortable as a childhood fort built of couch cushions. The learning environment must be secure and full of free flying thoughts. It must welcome any conscience thought that a member of any fearless given group yields.
