Dogmatic Potential

Science v. Religion

Dogma; perhaps one of mankind’s most quoted faults, is really simply further evidence in support of human ingenuity.  How else could anyone- as so many do on a daily basis- go on expounding nonsensical hypotheses or soothsaying portentous omens, if not by the good grace of their clutching imaginations and fantastical (conveniently unfalsifiable) beliefs?

It must be mentally exhausting to have continually to justify one’s opinions as incontrovertible fact, yet still millions of tiny, steadfast human beings cling to a mantra inherited from ages of greater ignorance than this in the ultimately futile hope that it harks back to the wisdom of a time when many lived in unadulterated bliss.

Is it not inspiring, to see the absolute devotion and unswerving determination our species is capable of?  Now, imagine that same force dedicated to scientific advancement – the spectacles and fanciful speculations of science fiction would be surely left far behind, gasping admiration in the dusty wake of our achievements.

Exam Stress

The bane of every student's life...

When I first started college in the september of 2011, I found my free periods (or study periods, as the college insists on calling them!) were a godsend.  They allowed my to get all of my homework done, and I still had time to spare with my friends, new and old.  But now, almost a full academic year on, I find that a free period is little more than an annoyance; I sit thinking how much more productively my time could be spent if the college ran extra lessons for people who were free with no other work to do, or if there were more revision sessions put on.  I know how sad this sounds, that I would rather be working than relaxing.  But to be frank, with exams little over two weeks away relaxation is firmly off the agenda for a while, and I'm not alone in this slightly odd view.  Over a matter of months, stress becomes the constant companion of the ardent student, and that is no exaggeration.  Mind, I don't say this for pity or any such ploy, but rather so you can understand where I am coming from.  When you are always worried about these all-important examinations, it seems preferable to study, thus relieving some of the stress, rather than sit idly doing nothing but watch the shadow of worry grow over you.  What do you think?  My college will be Ofsted inspected next week, so hopefully some constructive changes will come out of that, and people will speak up about how we all want more support sessions etc.  I can't wait until the summer of 2013, because until then, total relaxation will be but a phenomenon that happens to other people.