Awareness – writing until the pen runs N2 paradise clarity! (by uniform & random means)

CALENDAR VOCATION

the metrics upon my thoughts
land
in a planned dream
you appeared in a multicolored dress
i confess: it was tempting when you came my way
in the midnight gray
when you suspected my thoughts were distant
reminded of our touch
which subconsciously i missed very much
even as long ago weeps for a much desired sleep
action is misplaced on the table of distant seas
waters placing us a part
while the heart attempts to start
my standing still wishes for you to move near
to alarm my every symphony so that my vision can hear
the word spoken back then, i still understood
when we lived in the same neighborhood
i neglected the requested chance
i was too nervous to dance
embarrassed by your movements and step
i kept all my rhythm enclosed
until the water flowed to the seeds, i then arose froze
but dripping to the splendid occasion
wherein this invasion became translucent
(upon the metrics of these same thoughts : this summary of a melodic swoon
my fullness was regarded as the moon
walking like mj backwards to the stolen tune
yet we sang with fascination, admiration
& rightful sensation! (memories restores faith and hope; the contradiction in this is that : memories needn’t be rushed to be created.)

WTM! TOF?

“Those that have an Ear, let them Hear!”

i find it curious, that when folks check in on you, they continue with wonder: “how have you been? what have you been up too? long time no talk too, what’s been happening?” however, those same people can’t / wouldn’t / haven’t – taken anytime to press play to engage in your latest creation.

🤔🧐🤨

if you want the message to relay; indeed all you need to do is press play and LISTEN! (i would really appreciate your feedback / criticisms especially if you make it through the whole thing!

this project was originally released 2 years ago as a written text, featuring 10 chapters with a lot of colorful poetry and allegory. i’ve done the difficult arrangement of writing, editing, and recording it all. There’s no ‘physical’ copy of this book yet because i really want folks to listen as opposed to flipping through the pages and missing something.

Typos notwithstanding, there’s a message! May you get through! Whether through the Angel (😇) or Angle (📐)

Blessings and thank you for everyone that has taken the time! This was done at no cost to you, but if you wish to give a love token and donation :

Cashapp : $gesturegreen

paypal: paradiseclarity@gmail.com

Zelle: jesterants@gmail.com

Room Broom

inquire : the ability to read the room!
you mustn’t mop the floor, until you sweep before with a broom!
gather all the pieces in a collected space.
before you wet and spread dust mites and shaved lace all over the place!
yooo! check out what’s going on!
“sleeping until dawn” without an awareness of whose there, will lead you to nowhere!
take a moment, pause.
or claw like a timid cat with a cause.
a reason in which your ‘season’ overstayed.
your garrulous essay has quickly been outweighed.
by your sentence, lexicon, story, & faction.
any action is discouraged and swiftly put to rest, if you’re making a mess out of keeping one at bay
to what you steadily say,
which is an extended remix at best…
i’m just saying …
you might need to say less!
but for you, that might be like taking a difficult test
and to this : may I encourage that you study expeditiously, & like hot cup of tea, sip slowly and carefully
for it’s truly a benefit in reading the room!
cuz’ you mustn’t mop the floor until you sweep with the broom!
gather all the pieces in a collected space!
before you wet and spread dust mites and shaved lace all over the place! 🙄🧹🐭

When 6 Becomes 9

when 6 becomes 9. that’s when 3 can be eaten from the vine. when life reverses the usual in favor of something more eloquent – the 3 becomes everything and me.

Without our collective memories of life – aren’t we all sort of dead? The meaning of life comes from our recollection of thoughts of our existence which is then transformed into dreams – which can inspire us to live a life that is a visionary metropolis. The mental picture fades away in proper time – once it does, was it even there to begin with? Was the picture ever really captured or only imagined like a painter, paints what they want us to see.

the moon is a waxing crescent – this means that the moon is on its way to be full. KEEP IT MOVING. but if you decide not to, it will carry along regardless.

c o n t i n g e n c y – a future event or circumstance which is possible but cannot be predicted with certainty.

we are often unaided as it comes to the natural changes which occur in consciousness. this much seems hilarious seeing most studies done by neuroscientists and psychologists, run on empty as it pertains to explaining what is consciousness anyway. when you say the word – what comes to mind? for me 3 things come to mind.

being awake
memory and recall
analyzing and predicting

when you rewind and reverse – you subtract and divide.

when you are ahead and fast forward – you add and multiply.

when you stand still you might wonder what is exactly the point of calculus?

6363636363669999393939393939363936936939 =

consciousness is an elevator. a sea. an illusion. something we only obtain in a limited time frame. hit or miss. sink or swim. you gotta eat. if you ain’t remembering what came before you, you may be curved against it. (sometimes that curve has sharp edges – whose gonna clean it up? also: healing takes time.)

we have seen how consciousness is drastically expanded when we are mindful. (mediation, prayer, looking around you, etc) CUZ IT’S ALWAYS ON YOU. life could give a damn about your personal”wants and needs.” make a room or be threatened by a predator. the snake would be nothing without the prey.

now we needn’t boast to have all conclusions but we should analyze based off patterns. again i say – picking up pieces… it ain’t about you “doing anything” necessarily. but being responsible to where the conversation is going…we mustn’t get sidetracked but then again, i’ve already had at least 99 thoughts randomly make their entry while writing/reading this.

will we ever make room for the things that truly do MATTER!? yes, for true as the writing is on the wall. the floor is the stage, providing company to the miscellaneous droppings from our pockets and tables. anything hanging HIGH – is doomed to be fallen.

nickels, pens, and crumbs all feast in fellowship with dust bunnies and a field of, etc etc. quite specific is the nature of anything when examined further. we often glance over the deeper context. but if you dare to revive the unending..(FOUND IN REPETITION/CYCLES)..you will see that you are already fully beginning. everyday. restart. reload….returning to the everlasting web of…A VORTEXT!

Misery And Company At Your Buffet

I sat down right next to misery on the train towards The Highway of Empathy. Misery then told me, how much they loved my company for they had sensed my pain. Before I knew it – I began telling them what made me miserable. It’s fair to say we bonded quite quickly.

The phenomenon of trauma bonding is a bit more clever than I supposed. I left feeling as if I wasn’t the only one who had pains and bruises. I knew it was not only me who knew misery. When I finally arrived at Empathy Highway – I began to understand so many others experienced and felt similar to me. I quickly realize what we soon discover – I ain’t the only one in this bih!

“In the land of misery there lived a voice. A voice seeking to be heard by all of those whose woes were awakened by shared disgrace. Misery has a lot of company. Friends or enemies – it matters none to misery EVERYONE is invited to bond over the fire and ice. We are burned and then we are sent to Antartica.”

We are living in a time where misery is experienced at an intensified level.

With knowledge comes the awareness to put knowledge at exercise. It can’t stand to be stagnant – it must move in order for it to truly be alive. For what can be said about the familiar stroke of hardship? How are we to move on when our motivation is gone and when there’s no clear path to healing?

The conditions of life can be very hard even for the strongest of us. All we really have is each other and when your neighbor starts acting a fool, you got yourself. Even when you let yourself down, you’re still with YOU. Another chance to get it right. Remembering that even when it’s wrong you can appreciate the balance.

STILL, we can’t help but listen and share our woes. Whether with people, paper, art, or any amount of creation we can find to muster those silent woes. While we all share a relationship with life’s pain and triumphs – our pains are remembered with stronger conviction.

Misery is a friendly invitation extended to anyone who chooses to remember their miserable experiences. Somebody will find something to complain about. There’s always room for improvement and complaints remind us there are advancements that can be made. Just as long we keep it in the current motion.

Hindsight is more the 20/20 – it’s a dream we won’t remember all the details to.

We are like questions being drawn at the expense of searching for answers.

Sometimes all it takes is the right question to be found at the right time in your sorrow. I have learned to not be afraid of sorrows pull – for there’s a lot I have yet to process in my tears.

When the aches of life return and wish to retreat at a buffet with all sorts of past and present existential reminders – I’m gonna eat it one tribulation at a time. ( I may very well leave some entree’s because some things are too high in sugar and fat).

We don’t have to deal with all of the sorrows of the world at once. There’s a lot to eat and if you’re aren’t careful you can put way too much on your plate because you spend too much company with misery. Social Justice is important but if you’re gonna be a warrior – you have to always be prepared to fight.

That’s part of the problem, carrying swords, arrows, and armor. You won’t always be able to dodge those bullets and avoid the inevitable. The inevitable happens. Response or reaction? It’s all about your determination to resolve. If it’s all meant to be here or there.

Don’t let life hassle you into a thousand schemes of awakening. *Sleeping is sometimes some of the best natural medicine life can give you*. I’d encourage you to be aware of the many courses made available to you. Blow off your back the familiar retrograde set to keep you in flames. Every experience isn’t dealt with the same way – best if we stop pretending they are. Leave yourself to your own space where you can eat your grace at your pace.

Remember: You’re the one eating at the buffet. *Hopefully you’re eating more than the sweets!!!* You get to choose what you want and what’s yours. No matter who’s around you encouraging you to “EAT! EAT! IT’S GOOD!” It may not be good and to the company that suggests otherwise – remember it’s your buffet! You get to eat whatever you want. Your mouth, Your choice!

THE TRIGGERED GENERATION

Hell Yeah, we’re Triggered.

It’s 2017 and everybody I know gets Triggered. It’s on some ASMR type of flow. Are you seeing the same shit I’m seeing?

Maybe you haven’t been aware of the plethora of ways in which trauma can be unlocked – but let me tell you: The box and key are always engaged in some kind of slippery slope of twists and turns.

Have you been living underneath a rock or something?

Every and anything can be triggering!

What’s funny about it – is that it doesn’t take much really. We’re constantly forced to deal with things and a lot of those things have childhood triggers we don’t understand yet.

Upon sudden contact – Bing!

We’re then pushed in the wrestling ring by the beast we haven’t fully seen.

Anytime I smell its fragrance – It gets a little bit closer to defeating me. I’m PRESSED because I can’t predict when my next collapse will take place?

It’s on the television. It’s on my phone. In the classroom. At work. With my family. With friends that I hang out with. I have no idea what I’m gonna see or what I hear and how this may trigger me wherever I happen to be.

Triggers are invisible forces that I can’t seem to protect myself from.

No warning. No map for closure. My anxiety is constantly multiplying because of various triggers.

These are close to home reminders that are not so easy to run away from.

I heard somebody say “Our generation should just get a grip and not be so loose on our emotions when they run through us like a flame.” I’m just laughing at that cuz IF we could pick and choose what triggered us, we wouldn’t be so damn triggered.

While we can’t control how they come, I suppose we understand those triggers. We can begin to learn how to unpack some of those various traumas.

Identifying them can be hard work tho – but it’s our responsibility.

Are we the Triggered Generation? I’d say Hell Yeah! But people long before us have had these triggers.

We’re just a bit more aware of the impact they have and there’s comfort in knowing – we ain’t all alone in this.

This piece is for my friend Loxten, which will be used for his future project.

The Qualified Sum

If you’re gonna play: Rock, Paper, Scissors with me – look directly into my eyes. Only look down when it’s time to decide who won. You’re cheating if you look at the hands the whole time, Don’t debate me – on this! 😀

Games like Rock, Paper, Scissors and Tic Tac Toe (X’s and O’s) are based on specific patterns. If you learn them, you’ll be able to win depending on if your opponent makes a mistake. Worst case scenario is that there would be a tie with no winners or losers. Yay!

I find games like this fun because with enough repetition – your subconscious catches on to how the player makes their move. We don’t always win at this but if you aren’t aware of the algorithm – you’ll find yourself losing more and more. This doesn’t always favor your ego, especially if you’re used to winning.

Some of us are so bitter when it comes to failing we revise history to our advantage. *coughs – white people* It makes absolutely no sense to do this. It just makes you a sore loser. White Supremacists, Neo-Nazis, and Confederate loving Americans are PRIME at doing this. They don’t wanna look at history for what it is but rather what they want to make out of it.

Times like now are interesting because they force us to examine the ways we cheat at excusing our behavior. We’re afraid of owning up to some of our own biases if they mean proving us wrong.

Ever caught yourself in a: “NOT ALL OF US” KIND OF MOMENT?

It should be painfully obvious that ‘NOT ALL ‘ is dumped in when talking about a group of people. I’ve been seeing a lot of statements like #MenAreTrash – previously, I would get on the defense whenever I’d hear a generality like that because ‘HEY NOT ALL MEN ARE TRASH’.

Now, I knew I had trash ways as a man and I didn’t want to look at them because ‘We all fall short’ but this isn’t the way to go about it. If you don’t fit in the scenario than keep it moving.

Some are qualified in the variables made – if you don’t fit the shoe, don’t even try to wear it. Our egos can be big and to check ourselves is the easiest thing we can do if our feelings start running amuck.

In short: We qualify which moves we make on the board. The best we can aim for is to even out. We don’t gotta get mad if it ain’t about us. One of the best things I learned from my grandmother is “Everything ain’t about you and trust me – that’s a good thing!.”

The Magician & The Ruler

So much of what is happening now – looked completely different than it did last year.

Different variables were at play. I was feeling a magnitude of emotion as I was rushed with the feeling of surprise. I didn’t know what awaited me but I had something to look forward to. There was a taste on my tongue of a delicacy that was promised to me next door. The kingdom of sound was building higher with each crescendo and I felt invited to partake of the music.

Listening to the sound and being able to translate the emotion of what you just heard is what brings connection. No one questions connection – because the answer is found in the electric response. The blessing that comes with the feeling and hearing is what solves an indisputable quest. Have you ever been covered with a sensation that felt unique to any experience you encountered?

When people feel the soul they don’t ever deny the spirit that is joined with the bumps on their flesh. No one can deny the moment you woke up from the dream. The feeling of motivation turns into a desire to unlock what you saw. Symbols take a new life on their own. Numbers make more sense when they are imagined to be what you subtracted and added them to.

Every passing day is a memory into something soon to be refreshed upon contact of recurring patterns. There’s still a lot of work to do about what has been left behind. The march continues to go on for freedom. Saying NO to the voices deemed to oppress will revolutionize the conditions set to put back the forward mind. The voice to stand up still swims in the belly of our ability to make a change.

Open yourself to be ready to what’s ahead of you. There’s a lot gonna change and have already changed and now you are on the path to catch up. You should be awake when you hear the sound of the alarm. Buy into the buzz and taste the delight and pound of your reward.

The stars are found in your black holes. Far away breathing into the sound that’s pronounceable even when you wake up from your dREaM. Life is breathing. Life is happening. Bearing witness to the sound that must awaken a grace to get back. The circles are to press a rotational gaze. A break off in the ocean. Count the victory ahead.

Get back on course and stay in your damn lane! I’m gonna blow the horn and make sure you hear me. If you are on this road, you must yield at some in time. Can’t leave us hanging when we are already on the move!

Stay clean. You’re wearing all white fabric. Details will let you know how careless this white can be. IF other colors make themselves known on your white clothes, you cuffed against sin.

Wearing white clothing- will call the attention of color. Unless you are sure to not act before paying attention to the color. You can keep what you are doing without paying regard to any stains. Maybe they aren’t stains but only rulers to help you further comprehend color.

*STORYTIME*

The story of the magician and the ruler. The ruler wanted to spread angles, and define measurement. The magician wanted to bend reality and confuse your attention pattern. They both wanted to do different things but end up doing the same thing once they worked together.

Take every moment to learn from the experiences life gives you. It’s the act of being engaged in the stimulation of life which brings a graceful rendering. Break free from these chains and stay fearless. Show how fierce you are by actually doing what you write. Practicing what you preach. Showing with your mind and hands that you are willing to do the work.

You ain’t just saying it – you calling to it out by the life you are living. Staying true to myself is the best way to show I’m listening. I can’t be caged or boxed by the drama to be less than what I already am. Life is meant to grapple the challenges in life that seemed too scary to face. We don’t have to lose ourselves just for the sake of saving what we want to control. Work out, folks! Get to the fitness that is to come!

THE DRAMA OF A COUGH

I realize drama is a narration of passionate expression.

It can have its fair share and be extra sometimes.

But, we both know we don’t have to tolerate it – even if the roots are passionate and sincere.

I’m going to drink another one, and we’ll be on our way with our day!

The Cough is Literally The Indicator To Your Inner Expressions. No Matter How Dramatic They Appear, Water Helps!

Suddenly: COOL CONTACT

It’s been COOL CONTACT realizing the powers that come with living in Minnesota. Suddenly, worlds are emerging and the waters are calming. Lately, I’ve been reminded by sound and kept by activity. SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED! I’m seeing at this point, stars and moving constellations.

Some efforts are paisley while others are at the gaze of suspense. I’m looking right into the future. It’s exciting, because of familiar faces.

She’s returned and with a host of divinity. It’s a bright sense of realization. Almost, like feet meeting sand again. It’s rich. A deep sense of multitude.

Music has always been a force in my life, but what pulls me the most about it, living here – is that I hear it more accurately. It seems to be more precise. More approximate. It’s literally in the veins of this city. I’ve stumbled on sudden contact in such great ways.

I am learning to process, and damn. It’s so exciting. Things become clear and strings are being responded with joy.

I can start several places, but I’m all the instruments playing at one time. Pianos, guitars, bongos, horns, and voices.

What can I say? I’m Jamming!

Intimate Realization of Separation Becoming ONE

There was this tragedy that happened on the news in the dream, and everybody knew about it but nobody wanted to talk about it because they were too awkward. It was on the tip of everybody’s tongue but they were all too scared to say anything in case it might offend someone, I guess. I walked into this room full of people awkwardly sitting around and you could just FEEL that they all knew the same thing, but nobody said anything about it – so there was this state of disconnection and I myself felt too awkward to say anything.

Suddenly it dawned on me again how we are all connected, we’re all the same – and that it must be ME that makes the change and it will send ripples throughout the people. I spoke up, and there was an initial state of “shock” that I would speak about such things, but then there was this wave of relief throughout the whole room because it is what everyone ultimately wanted deep inside – they all NEEDED to talk about it, but nobody wanted to bring it up.

Those moments are the most revealing of our individual power – and our state of connection to all beings. One person changes the whole room – or the whole crowd – by a simple movement.

A realization of connection which leads to an action – and soon the barriers are broken, and people remember their place in this code. Upon knowing that we are one – it looks so silly to walk in and to see so many aspects of ourselves hiding behind their persona or being too afraid to speak on something which they KNOW you’re aware of. And then you suddenly click to the fact that those people are a reflection of your own inner fears. The moment you release that fear and SPEAK UP – all of those people magically lose their fear too and then THEY speak up.

It is a ripple effect that starts from within and moves out into the world around us, because as Prince says, “EVERYTHING IS YOU.” (AFFIRMATION III IS SPOKEN THROUGH Charlotte Ann Telepathy)

Change.

It’s the very key to a comedian’s success – you know the way their whole career revolves around simply telling us things that we do in our daily lives – but that we’re too afraid to speak about because we think we’re the only one who does them. The laughter is created by the NEED to release that energy and to feel “hey, we’re all the same, and everybody does the same things, thinks the same thoughts, and feels the same way as me!” and that relief we all feel takes us one step closer to the intimate realization of separation becoming one.

You might not have gone through the same suffering, but you understand suffering from your perspective.

“Ask the Victor ’bout pain and rejection, U think he don’t when he do understand”. (The Sacrifice of Victor – The Love Symbol 1993)

Enthusiasm within yourself creates enthusiasm all around you – depression in yourself makes everyone around you depressed – a smile catches – so BREAK THE ICE with the heat of calculated awareness, and watch the waves ascend!

Native Rapture Via X

For when I ascended into the Native Rapture, my mind and frame began to pose a description. Every now and then, she comes again, and the lessons you never forget. You become a Designated Fool as Sananda Maitreya put it.

There she goes speculating on someone
For her private school
There he is her next sugar daddy-o
Her designated fool
She’s a teacher of unbelievable skill
I once loved her and now I paying the bill

Right about now she’s regulating on someone
With her juicy groove
If papa comes quick
She’ll slow ’em down and teach ’em a textbook trick
Some advanced curriculum

She’s a master
At stimulating her class
I once loved her
I graduated too fast

Fool, because with her ALL her knowledge will likely terminate your missionary trip. That can’t be a bad thing, can it?

From the tropical edge, and by the Native pledge – her colors are the foundation of life.

She comes to capture and with strong memories you’ve already ascended into her rapture.

Beyond the stars and passing around the crescent moon; here she has come not a moment too soon.

She reminds you of your vulnerable scales; like the time you thought dolphins were whales.

She always made you remember; science was the only everlasting December.

Her face was shades of colorful ambition; apertures and contrasts of tuition.

What a price you had to pay; for, with your concentrated stare, you have stepped into the gray.

Your mission has become the predator and the prey.

To know you – means she must consume you, but only by her native woo.

Illustrations Of Awareness (Waking UP)

Taking it a step further by bringing a deeper level of awareness.The story that brings illustrations!

The story that brings illustrations!

These illustrations of the past and present are being spoken by a friend of awareness. She has discovered the codes that are transmitted by the parasite of hidden agenda. Cartoon depictions of zealous exaggeration, fighting the awakening pivot of the light. The answering portion to hallucinations is freely entrusted into her mouth and mind. By the earnest fixation of embedded lies, the alarm has sounded. These paintings of embroidered manifestations are multiple stories told. No one truly looks at a picture of surrealism the same, as the story reaches on different levels. The beginning may be of multifaceted singularity, the middle of frightened solitude, and the end of disdain. This illustration is of the lines read in the booklets of identification. When reading; the curiosity is aroused if there is the stream of realization. Truly the governing piece is set by whims of conscious involvement.

Tell me your story?

I am creating a medium to broadcast stories, as they are told throughout nature! We must wake up to the consciousness of these illustrations. Sometimes we may not be able to understand, EVERY story. But, maybe the message was never intended for you. Not everything is going to be understood, at the exact moment, they are spoken.

Just remember the awareness can also come through illustration!

Absorbed Massacre

DREAM EARLIER TODAY: I woke up to one of those absorbed massacres! Apparently, I went to a library late at night and while on the computer I placed my bag on the floor. While getting ready to leave, the dude sitting next to me, tried to steal everything from my bag. So as I stood up, and called him out on it, he gave me back everything he hid under his TALL-T. When I commanded every one of my items, he angrily obliged. So I placed everything back in my backpack after I double checked, I then proceeded to walk out in frustration. I slammed the door. Suddenly, I heard various alarm sounds and a voice came from the speakers, to kill me. So I ran out and looked earnestly for a way of escape. There was an ocean hanging from the mountains, I prepared myself as I ran with force and soared across the oasis. I started to fly and everything that was in my bag seemed to not matter at all.

So I guess the question is, would I allow him to steal my items to avoid being murdered? I am glad, I ran out with my things because it taught me I was able to fly.

AHH! DREAMS. They come to you like this sometimes!

What a revelation!

I was locked up in a cell of demonic whispers and conclusions. I went out to evaluate the multitude of vehicles, noticing each of them had their lights on. The rain dropped easily on my clothes; as to remind me of my sense of life. Suddenly, I heard a very dark voice calling my name. I didn’t want to look back and drive into safety. Instead, I opened the door and saw a large flower which then taunted me, before swallowing me whole. I then screamed for mercy! Eventually, I was thrown up and taken to a door where I was able to see through a small hole – a mass congregation. The kingdom of my being has been called counterfeit. Its knowledge is counted as illusions and conditioned manifestations of tradition. Like a bird I have soared over daylight to find food for my children; to remember the nest which carries them. The pictures of flight and the freedom it brings; takes stagnation by a grip and chokes it.

Scattered Pronouncement

To thrive on the innuendo and the mystery of “Whatever U Think is True” – abbreviates the undefined.

What this hint describes, ultimately is left to the scattered pronouncement you redeem.

As the documentation suggests, it’s just joyfully understood to be EITHER OR.

You’re either the blood in my veins, or you are Not.

It’s the law between this or that.

‘This and That’ makes our world go around, but it somewhat still puts you in the box and I’m not determined by the method of mineral properties!

Sir Ken Robinson presented wonderful point at a TED Presentation a few years back:

“If you were to visit education as an alien and say what’s it for, public education, I think you’d have to conclude, if you look at the output, who really succeeds by this, who does everything they should, who gets all the brownie points, who are the winners, I think you’d have to conclude the whole purpose of public education throughout the world is to produce university professors. Isn’t it. They’re the people who come out the top. And I used to be one, so there. And I like university professors, but you know, we shouldn’t hold them up as the high-water mark of all human achievement. They’re just a form of life, another form of life. but they’re rather curious and I say this out of affection for them, there’s something curious about them, not all of them but typically, they live in their heads, they live up there, and slightly to one side. They’re disembodied. They look upon their bodies as a form of transport for their heads, don’t they? It’s a way of getting their head to meetings.Now our education system is predicated on the idea of academic ability. And there’s a reason. The whole system was invented around the world there were no public systems of education really before the 19th century. They all came into being to meet the needs of industrialism. So the hierarchy is rooted on two ideas: Number one, that the most useful subjects for work are at the top. So you were probably steered benignly away from things at school when you were a kid, things you liked, on the grounds that you would never get a job doing that. Is that right? Don’t do music, you’re not going to be a musician; don’t do art, you’re not going to be an artist. Benign advice — now, profoundly mistaken. The whole world is engulfed in a revolution. And the second is academic ability, which has really come to dominate our view of intelligence because the universities designed the system in their image. If you think of it, the whole system of public education around the world is a protracted process of university entrance. And the consequence is that many highly talented, brilliant, creative people think they’re not, because the thing they were good at school wasn’t valued, or was actually stigmatized. And I think we can’t afford to go on that way. In the next 30 years. according to Unesco, more people worldwide will be graduating through education than since the beginning of history. [12:27] More people, and it’s the combination of all the things we’ve talked about — technology and its transformation effect on work, and demography and the huge explosion in population.

Suddenly degrees aren’t worth anything. Isn’t that true? When I was a student, if you had a degree, you had a job. If you didn’t have a job it’s because you didn’t want one. And I didn’t want one, frankly.”