Staying Informed
Follow the daily news. Find a newspaper that you like and read it daily. With the advent of the Internet, this has become a very easy task. Reading your local news is not enough, so try to absorb the news at regional, national and international levels, too. You want to know as much about the wider world as possible. You can even try reading several different daily newspapers. You might want to read commentaries on the news as well. Being aware of different opinions is important for creating a general overview of what is happening in the world. You should read a variety of publications. Don’t limit yourself to one country’s newspaper. Here are a few significant international publications: The India Times (India) Le Monde (France) The Asahi Shimbun (Japan) The New York Times (USA) The Guardian (UK) Washington Post (USA)
Take notes about key areas. Jot down notes about areas of the world that you are interested in. These notes can be a solid foundation for your later research. For example, let’s say that you have just read an article about ISIS. If you write down details about the countries ISIS occupies, such as Iraq and Libya, then you can find out more about how the current situation started. Stay critical. Do not necessarily take everything you read at face value. Notice the biases and omissions of different newspapers instead of simply taking in talking points.
Listen to news radio. Tune in to a radio broadcast of the news. The BBC and NPR are both good places to get solid world news. Since both are publicly funded, they may not be as biased as other news sources. News radio is also helpful because you will receive guidance on how to pronounce names of important regions and people.
Read current events magazines. Magazines like Harper’s Magazine, The Atlantic, The Economist, Der Spiegel, and The New Yorker are good places to find out about what’s happening in the world. You may be able to find copies at your local library. If not, you may have to subscribe to the magazines you enjoy. These periodicals will give you details about the events you have read or heard about in the news. They often run comprehensive articles that focus on a specific region or topic. These magazines have online versions as well. Peruse their archives and don’t simply focus on current news. A piece on classical music from the 1930s might lead you to a composer you’ve never heard of. The more of these articles you read, the more you will broaden your general knowledge. Writers in these magazines often write books as well. These books supply even more information about the topics that you have read about.
Appreciating Culture
Go to museums. Look at art pieces and engage with what you see. Take your time with several pieces. As you look at these art objects, consider what makes them special and unique. This will take time. Art appreciation involves unhurried contemplation. Engage with each art object using a different lens. A painting is different from a photograph. Don't look at a contemporary work in the same way that you would look at a classical one. A newer oil painting deserves a different consideration than one from three hundred years ago. Remember that periods matter, as do movements. Take a tour. The guide will pass along important details about significant pieces of artwork. Listen carefully, even if you have seen the piece before. You might learn something new about the artwork or the artist. See if they have informative print-outs. These can give you vital information about the museum’s collection.
Read literature. Immerse yourself in both contemporary and classic literature. Fiction can help you be more empathetic by portraying the perspectives of a wide assortment of people. Start with classic literature. For example, Plutarch’s Lives is a compendium of stories about Greek and Roman men who lived interesting lives. Each story examines both the positive and negative qualities of these men .Observe the characters in these stories, and absorb the lessons contained within these tales.
Read philosophy. Philosophy will give you the tools to discuss questions about morality and free will. By reading philosophy books, you will be able to examine your own life and thoughts more clearly. This can aid in decision-making. Read foundational works of philosophy. Start with Plato’s Republic. This fundamental work consists of dialogues between Socrates and his students as they attempt to figure out what the perfect society would consist of. As they design their hypothetical city, they discourse on free will, morality, and belief.
Take copious notes. When you read these books, keep a notepad handy so you can scribble down notes about the themes and ideas in these texts. You don’t want to get bogged down in every last detail, but writing down the most significant portions of what you’ve read is a great way to avoid becoming lost as you tackle these important works.
Watch films. See if you can find some art-house films. There are many excellent films in circulation. Take the opportunity to watch a few of them. If it helps, try to pick one director and watch as much of their filmography as possible. Then read criticism about films you have seen. Look for discussions about how that director decides to shoot and edit their films. Read criticism. You might enjoy magazines like Sight and Sound and Cahiers du Cinema(in French). Both have contemporary art-house film reviews and essays. They also publish articles by film scholars about older, classic films. The AV Club (online) is also a great resource on films both old and new. Individual critics’ websites can be helpful as well.
Listen to music. If you don’t already listen to a variety of musical genres, try embracing a type of music you haven’t listened to before. For example, if you mainly listen to rock music, try listening to classical. Or vice versa. Strive for a diverse range of musical tastes. This displays an openness and a willingness to explore.
Having Conversations
Talk with people who are reasonably well-educated. Get into conversations with those who have learned through school or work a great deal about life. Try to understand how they obtained their knowledge. Ask them questions about subjects you don’t know much about. Talk to people from a variety of professions. Education develops in various ways. An educated person realizes this. Your mechanic can be as knowledgeable as your professor.
Go to public lectures. Find out if a scholar or writer is giving a talk in your neighborhood. Go to the talk and listen to what they have to say. Often after a talk, a question-and-answer session is held. Not only will you learn about a subject, but you will also be able to ask the lecturer questions directly. Take accurate notes during the lecture. This will make it easier for you to come up with good, stimulating questions that will allow for an invigorating discussion. Don’t tire yourself writing down every word. Mark down just the key concepts and ideas.
Stay open-minded. During the course of your conversations, you may find yourself disagreeing with various people. Try to understand their viewpoints. This does not mean that you need to agree with everything you hear. This would be foolish. However, an educated person does not dismiss someone based on a disagreement. Actually, arguments and debates show that you are willing to entertain ideas that are different from your own. They help you to develop your own point of view. If you disagree with a perspective, you could say something like "I see why you would think this. However, I have a different take on the matter."
Behaving Well
Keep your composure. One mark of an educated person is a calm demeanor. Don’t be quick to anger. For example, don’t start screaming because someone has angered you. Instead, react calmly and try to resolve the issue. You don’t necessarily need to disguise your emotions. You might be angry, but don’t let that feeling affect the way you behave. If you find yourself becoming angry, try to center yourself. Meditation is a good way to do this.
Speak in a level tone of voice. Don’t raise your voice. You should communicate, but you do not want to be the loudest person in the room, as this can make it seem like you are trying to call attention to yourself. However, you don’t want to be too quiet either. If you are very quiet, you may seem timid. An educated person will aim to strike a balance in their speech.
Be humble. An educated person is well-mannered and gentle. Avoid bragging and arrogance. Contribute to the conversation with a point of view, but do this selectively. You don’t need to show off your learning in every social situation.
Ask questions. When you don't understand something, ask for an explanation. Don’t be afraid to do this. Show that you are willing to learn. It is better to make a mistake while learning something new than to remain in ignorance due to a fear of embarrassing yourself. An inquisitive mind is an intelligent one. If you did not understand a point, say: "Would you mind explaining your last point again?"
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