Reflection on the Artifacts
It was surprisingly frustrating for me to compile these artifacts. Even with several definitions of the word “culture” I still found it difficult to distinguish what elements of myself are determined by my culture and what are just manifestations of my personality. Many of the things I listed out during a brainstorm were actually just elements of my personal philosophy. I could have chosen to define culture in this sense as the beliefs and ideals of the society around me – in this case I could have uploaded artifacts promoting getting married young or measuring a person’s worth and worthiness by his/her marriage status – but I didn’t want to go that route. I want to think that my culture and how “cultured” I am involves more participation on my part. In the end I decided to select artifacts of the things that affect the way I think, feel, interpret, and interact with the world. One of the most interesting things I learned from this project was that I don’t agree with some of the things I believe. I know that sounds ridiculous, but it was an unsettling realization I came to. The best example is the ideal that “intellect is the best way to measure a person’s worth.” It’s something I’ve thought about a LOT in the past few weeks. My behavior reflects this ideal, my speech reflects it, and even my thinking and subconscious judgments would suggest that that’s what I believe. But a recent awareness of this makes me realize that I shouldn’t think that’s true. Growing up my loving and Christlike parents were effective in teaching me that a person’s worth is not based on physical appearance, social or economic status, or even worthiness/adherence to the commandments. In theory, I believe that people are valued and valuable regardless of outside measuring sticks. But my behavior and thoughts, as shared before, reveal that my bias was to judge others on the elements I cling to and value in myself – especially intellect, logical/rational reasoning, and wit. I’d like to believe and THINK as if I believe that intellect doesn’t define a person’s worth any more than pant size or income do.
In some ways, this bias has helped me as a student. Acting on biases, I chose to surround myself with other intellectuals which undoubtedly helps when it comes time for group studying or collaborations. Other elements of my culture as defined by the included artifacts are also helpful in an academic setting. For example my reverence for science and love for deep thinking help me to enjoy studying and learning. My parents’ examples of the significance of education teach me that college is the necessary route toward self-betterment. Discipline, drive, and respect for leadership have certainly helped throughout my academic career here at BYU as well as the years of public education that precede BYU.
Despite many positive influences, I’m realizing that I have also missed out on some learning because of my culture. I have (driven by pride) denied myself many forms of learning that don’t necessarily fit within the realm of classic academics. Choosing to associate almost exclusively with people like me results in not being enriched by other ideals.
Overall I’d say my culture, and what I choose to allow to be my culture, have helped me as a student. But I’m slowly learning that perhaps formal education is not as important as I’ve made it out to be.
It was surprisingly frustrating for me to compile these artifacts. Even with several definitions of the word “culture” I still found it difficult to distinguish what elements of myself are determined by my culture and what are just manifestations of my personality. Many of the things I listed out during a brainstorm were actually just elements of my personal philosophy. I could have chosen to define culture in this sense as the beliefs and ideals of the society around me – in this case I could have uploaded artifacts promoting getting married young or measuring a person’s worth and worthiness by his/her marriage status – but I didn’t want to go that route. I want to think that my culture and how “cultured” I am involves more participation on my part. In the end I decided to select artifacts of the things that affect the way I think, feel, interpret, and interact with the world. One of the most interesting things I learned from this project was that I don’t agree with some of the things I believe. I know that sounds ridiculous, but it was an unsettling realization I came to. The best example is the ideal that “intellect is the best way to measure a person’s worth.” It’s something I’ve thought about a LOT in the past few weeks. My behavior reflects this ideal, my speech reflects it, and even my thinking and subconscious judgments would suggest that that’s what I believe. But a recent awareness of this makes me realize that I shouldn’t think that’s true. Growing up my loving and Christlike parents were effective in teaching me that a person’s worth is not based on physical appearance, social or economic status, or even worthiness/adherence to the commandments. In theory, I believe that people are valued and valuable regardless of outside measuring sticks. But my behavior and thoughts, as shared before, reveal that my bias was to judge others on the elements I cling to and value in myself – especially intellect, logical/rational reasoning, and wit. I’d like to believe and THINK as if I believe that intellect doesn’t define a person’s worth any more than pant size or income do.
In some ways, this bias has helped me as a student. Acting on biases, I chose to surround myself with other intellectuals which undoubtedly helps when it comes time for group studying or collaborations. Other elements of my culture as defined by the included artifacts are also helpful in an academic setting. For example my reverence for science and love for deep thinking help me to enjoy studying and learning. My parents’ examples of the significance of education teach me that college is the necessary route toward self-betterment. Discipline, drive, and respect for leadership have certainly helped throughout my academic career here at BYU as well as the years of public education that precede BYU.
Despite many positive influences, I’m realizing that I have also missed out on some learning because of my culture. I have (driven by pride) denied myself many forms of learning that don’t necessarily fit within the realm of classic academics. Choosing to associate almost exclusively with people like me results in not being enriched by other ideals.
Overall I’d say my culture, and what I choose to allow to be my culture, have helped me as a student. But I’m slowly learning that perhaps formal education is not as important as I’ve made it out to be.