Competition

Today after class my friends had a debate with me. They believed that the Kumon method of tutoring, repeated memorization, competing against classmates, ultimate aim for perfection, was beneficial for learning in this society because kids need to be prepared for the competitive world. But my belief is that we instill values of competition in children that are unnecessary pressures.

Sure, competitiveness can be beneficial toward getting things done. But only if you want kids to feel immense stress. And it stifles free thinking and creativity. The focus on competition is being the best, leaving little room for friendship, love, and caring. Competition doesn't mean accomplishing dreams, rather it means defeating those around you. At high school we have class rank, and competition drives us. I feel it everywhere: "What college are you applying to? UW isn't good enough for me. What did you get on that test? I got a stupid B+, it's the end of the world! Can I have your assignment; I don't want to fail? What's wrong with cheating? I have a 4.0 so listen to me."

What do people stand for? What's the point of all this cutthroat competitiveness. It really just hurts. The focus on school makes some people downright cold, and I feel that I have lost them as friends. Others begin to have this arrogant attitude. While others still get caught up in it, but never seem to reach that aim of perfection. We can delude ourselves into thinking that we are better than everyone around us, but as Mr. Haff would say, "You are not special."

And it is so true. Nobody's special. Nobody really is better. But when we rank and compare ourselves constantly to one another we only lose out. Because we are lazy. Most people don't become inspired by competition, they just cheat, or plow others to win. And plus, perfection is impossible. Competition just provides a system for people, a way of making sure they are succeeding, for people who don't know what to do with their lives.

I'm glad to have a dream. I have a goal for my life, something to look forward to. I think most kids are missing that. I think most people believe that the only dream is college, or that next party, and to be the top of the class. I once was one of those kids, and I still am largely trapped in the cycle of competition, but I understand its evils so much better now.

When I won those geography bees and was declared the most likely to succeed in middle school I had huge self-esteem. It feels great to be on top. But I crushed everyone beneath me likewise. I built self-confidence and an ego. And the moment I found out that everyone was moving onward to greater things, I felt miserable.

If you live your life in constant competition, you may be happy every once in a while when you reach the top, but you can't stay there forever. One day you'll be kicked out (like eventually Robert Mugabe will be) and you won't be able to control it. We all just have to realize that there is more to life than the destination and the milestones; in fact we just need to realize the greater context. We all must abandon the closed-mindedness of competition if we want to actual discover our full potential.

Together we become better. Together we realize. Friendship trumps competition.

At least in my world

"2Nite" - The Cataracts