Hackschooling makes me happy | Logan LaPlante | TEDxUniversityofNevada

Summary

In this TEDx talk, a young speaker reflects on the common childhood question about future aspirations, advocating for happiness and well-being as essential goals. He critiques the traditional education system for not prioritizing happiness and proposes a 'Hack-Schooling' approach, integrating eight key elements for a happy and healthy life. Drawing from personal experiences and diverse learning opportunities, he encourages a mindset of innovation and creativity in education.

Takeaways

• 😀 Kids often get asked what they want to be when they grow up, but their answers usually reflect their current passions rather than adult expectations.
• 😊 Kids' honest answer to the question of what they want to be when they grow up is often simply 'happy'.
• 😄 The speaker believes that happiness should be a priority in education, alongside traditional subjects.
• 😃 The speaker introduces the concept of 'hack-schooling', an innovative approach to education that focuses on happiness, health, and creativity.
• 😁 The speaker's education includes diverse experiences like nature, community involvement, and practical projects, all contributing to personal growth and happiness.
• 😆 The 'Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes' (TLCs) recommended by Dr. Roger Walsh are key to happiness and health: exercise, diet, time in nature, service, relationships, recreation, relaxation, and spiritual involvement.
• 😋 The speaker criticizes the traditional education system for not prioritizing happiness and health.
• 😎 The speaker admires innovators and 'hackers' who creatively improve systems, suggesting this mindset should be applied to education.
• 🤩 Personal interests and real-world experiences drive the speaker's learning process, making it more engaging and effective.
• 🥳 The ultimate goal for the speaker is to grow up happy, emphasizing that education should support this aim.

Q & A

What is the common question children are often asked that the speaker finds annoying?

The common question children are often asked is 'What do you want to be when you grow up?'

What are the typical adult expectations for answers to the question about future careers?

Adults typically expect answers like 'I want to be an Astronaut' or 'I want to be a Neurosurgeon'.

What does the speaker's little brother suggest as a possible future career?

The speaker's little brother suggests he might become a pro skier and then promptly changes the subject to getting ice cream.

What does the speaker believe is the opposite of what adults want to hear when asking children about their future?

The speaker believes that children are more likely to answer with something they are passionate about, like a pro skateboarder, surfer, or Minecraft player, which is typically the opposite of what adults want to hear.

What does the speaker find profound about the simple answer a child might give about growing up?

The speaker finds it profound that a child might answer 'When I grow up, I want to be happy', as it reflects a basic desire for well-being.

Why does the speaker believe that being happy and healthy should be a priority in education?

The speaker believes that being happy and healthy should be a priority in education because it's a practice and a state of being that is often overlooked in traditional schooling.

What are the 'Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes' or TLCs mentioned by the speaker?

The 'Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes' or TLCs are eight practices for being happy and healthy: Exercise, diet and nutrition, time in nature, contribution and service to others, relationships, recreation, relaxation and stress management, and religious or spiritual involvement.

What is the speaker's opinion on the current state of education in relation to happiness and health?

The speaker believes that the current state of education does not prioritize happiness and health, and that it is more oriented towards making a living rather than making a life.

What does the speaker admire about Shane McConkey?

The speaker admires Shane McConkey for his hacker mindset in skiing, where he innovated and changed the sport to make it better.

What does the speaker mean by 'Hack-Schooling'?

'Hack-Schooling' refers to the speaker's approach to education, which involves taking advantage of opportunities, being flexible and opportunistic, and prioritizing happiness, health, and creativity.

How does the speaker describe their educational experience outside of traditional schooling?

The speaker describes their educational experience as involving community organizations, hands-on learning, and a focus on personal interests and experiences, such as writing about skiing, learning physics through experiments, and understanding mountain safety.