The Kid with the Symbols Carved in His Hair

 The Dim Bulb

The Occasional Musings of an Educator

by Michael Keany

The brain is capable of performing 10 quadrillion (that’s 10 to the 16th) “calculations,” or synaptic events, per second using only about 15 watts of power. At this rate, a computer as powerful as the human brain would require 1 gigawatt of power. Maybe a dim bulb isn't really as dim as it seems.

The photo above is the Livermore Centennial bulb, the world's longest burning electric bulb. 

Number 7

April 5, 2011

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The Kid with the Symbols Carved in His Hair

Recently, I visited my local public library.  As I wandered about through the recently published books, looking for my next adventure of the mind, I was was taken by a young man who wandered by.  I couldn't help but notice him.  Actually he looked much like I did at his age, which I judged to be about 13.  He had a freckled face, was sort of pudgy but seemed to be a pleasant sort.  What drew my attention was his hair.  It was close cut, but there were symbols etched, I assume by a razor.  Dollar signs, equal signs, peace symbols, lightning bolts, and many others were displayed.  Trying not to stare but staring in spite of myself, I followed his pathway through the library.

A middle-schooler trying desperately to fit in?  A ninth grader, trying to stake out a niche?  A free spirit beginning to find his way in the world?  Immediately, in spite of myself, I began to stereotype him.  "Probably heading over to the music section," I thought.  I was mesmerized as I watched him stop by an art display, apparently studying a collection of landscapes.  Next he went to the science section, took a few books from the shelf and sat, making notes in a black and white notebook.  He took one of the science books and returned to the art display.  He seemed to be comparing the artist's interpretation with the reality of the science book.  He seemed satisfied, made a few more notes in his marbleized notebook, returned the science books appropriately to the shelves, and turned his attention to the biography section.  I wondered what train of thought had sparked a new interest.  At this point, I began to seem like a voyeur.

Clearly this kid was vastly different from my first perception.  How guilty I felt!  After all, I prided myself having an open mind.  I had a career built on my understanding of adolescence.  I watched him and made faulty assumptions about his behavior, his interests, and his motivations.

How often does that happen in school?  Baggy pants, goth attire, piercing, tattoos, provocative attire, classic preppy, skateboards, and on and on are so many symbols that kids project, phases that they go through.  Adults, even supposedly open-minded ones like me, make quick judgements on so many levels.  Our approach to these kids changes because of our quick judgements.  

Next time, I pledged to myself, I'll think a bit more about the brain inside the head with the shaved symbols.