‘They’ used to tell us that the invention of the wheel was pivotal in moving the world ahead and they were probably right. Then the industrial revolution came along. And Darwin with his theory of evolution. And Einstein with his theory of relativity. And we humans bowed down at the feet of the gods of discovery as science became a thing to be revered rather than disbelieved and even feared.
These days we hear more and more about A.I. and Chat GPT and dozens of other similar discoveries. This is where I start to wonder about the intrusion of the world of sciences into the worlds of the creative arts such as writing and music and painting and drawing.
Is there something indefinable that makes creative writers unique? Or are we in danger of being replaced?
I remember a Star Trek Enterprise episode where the ship stopped at a new world that had never heard of stories and plays and music, in other words, of the arts. The inhabitants were amazed by Data’s ability to create different characters as he drew the planet’s inhabitants into the stories he created. They offered Data, basically a robot, the position of staying on their planet and teaching them more about this entertainment. And he almost did.
STEM is the popular acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math of which we hear so much these days. Indeed, my own son, the one with the music degree majoring in trumpet, saw the need for more education in the STEM field and started his own cross Canada camps to address that need. I am delighted that his company has added an ‘A’ to the acronym to create as well STEAM camps this summer. The ‘A’ is for the Arts. And that is as it should be, in my mind.
Why is that important?
As a former high school teacher and a parent, I realize that human beings are not all shaped the same way. We don’t come with the same interests, the same body types, the same physical attributes or basically the same parts. We are different. And we should be thankful for that. In a perfect world the gods of discovery would pay the same tribute to new discoveries whether they be in STEM fields or in the ARTS. We would know that those who sing, paint, write music or books, and find their highest thrills from those pursuits are every bit as important in a well-rounded world as those who are STEM oriented. I add in sports as well here.
To me all the fields we and our children might be proficient in and excited about are important. When I was teaching we loved cheering on our sports teams and our school orchestra. I was lucky enough to bring musical theatre to that high school and saw first hand what it did to further the students’ education. I directed Mikado there using students who had never heard of Gilbert and Sullivan, let along acted and sung in it. The day of auditions my partner and I sat in the staff room after the auditions and wondered if we would ever be able to do this big thing. The kids were willing but so lacking in skills.
Nevertheless we started rehearsals and we taught acting and singing and working together and creating something as a group. A few weeks into rehearsals, there was a kerfuffle with one scene where those in the scene didn’t show up for rehearsal and I decided to cut the rather unimportant scene. A week or so later that group of actors made an appointment with me and told me they would do the scene on their own if I would allow it. I did. A few days later they showed me a well organized and professional scene and I put it back in the show. The kids had stepped up.
The next Christmas I sat in the auditorium and watched as kids from the show put on skits and musical numbers that were great. Their education had been broadened so much by having the chance to learn about acting and singing and working together. Their numbers were things they had created with no teacher help. I was ecstatic! And it was no small thing that they were on stage without being painfully shy or unable to present anything to the student body. Would they ever have times to use those skills in the future!
What does this have to do with writing and STEM? I want there to be chances for every child to excel in this world, whether that child is math, science, music, sports, technology, acting, engineering, drawing, or painting oriented. Or whatever else there is. This will help everyone’s skills be accepted and give a sense of value and worth to all of us for who we are. People need to be well-rounded. Our schools need to reflect who our students are and who they might become. Come on, folks, let’s use some imagination as we choose how to spend our tax dollars for education.
Brains are different. Vive la difference!
This blog post did not use A.I. 🙂
