SO WHAT?
Monday, April 21st, 2008Sophomore year of college. Classics 202: Greek and Roman Epic. Teacher doesn’t say a word, just passes out our papers, walks up to the blackboard, picks up a piece of chalk, and writes:
Then she says, “Ask yourself that next time you write something.”
Dang.
That’s one of those lessons I never forgot.
April 21st, 2008 at 10:56 pm
oh man, sophomore year…
April 22nd, 2008 at 8:27 pm
I’m an engineering major and I find myself asking the same thing in my classes…
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:00 am
So what?
My college greek civilization teacher was one of THE most passionate instructors I’ve ever had! So what? Seek, explore, learn, love! Go beyond the mundane, associate with whatever, stir up the inner pathos and live! So what? Why NOT!!!!
So, Austin Kleon, that is why I love your blog, because you do live and seem to find your own personal answers to the question, SO WHAT? And then, you share.
Thank You, LK
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:11 am
Laura, you made my day! Thanks!
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:40 am
Austin Kleon, I also like you!
April 23rd, 2008 at 2:06 pm
I like you all!
April 23rd, 2008 at 2:58 pm
And you, Austin Kleon, make the day for several others, I’m sure!
I found you through a google search on… I forget specifics - block printing, german expressionism, or something - but have been intrigued with your energies, observations and insights! How you live, you do, you do!
My reaction to SO WHAT? comes from being an educator, trying to stir the interest and passions of adolescents. When I go off sharing my love for my subject (art), I always think of MY afore mentioned professor. Assuming an educator wants to stir the passions of others (as opposed to contributing to the lathargic sarcasm that is, at times, all too abundant in this age of post-modernism), this is how I interpreted your SO WHAT? (let me count the ways)
Keep living, you (seen ti be) doing a wonderful job of it!
Thanks, again, LK
April 23rd, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Glad you found your way here!