Today we learned about increasing our brain power through art, specifically music, more directly pertaining to developing our reading and math skills until age 5.  Unfortunately, we are much older than five, so we (supposedly) can only get pleasure from music at this point (only a scientist would put it that way).  The point is that we can't change our math skills, which, as far as I'm concerned, is fine.  However, if any of us ever get kids or, instead of that, try to sound intelligent and responsible around people who do, this information might be useful someday.

Where was I?  Ah yes.  Young humans who have "arts training" might benefit in a plethora of ways.  Simply playing music for young humans is helpful in getting them to understand patterns and sequencing, but having them learn an instrument is even better.  They (NPR) claimed piano was the most effective.  That raised a question in my mind: what is the purpose of education?

They're always talking about reading and math, and the class agreed that they are definitely part of it, but education is definitely so much more.  Focusing on only those two is like selecting two of your body's systems to keep living: mind and heart, so how about circulatory and nervous?  Splendid... but seriously, you need the rest of them.  One thing I've learned from education is that sometimes you can look at things the other way from how everyone else has been looking at them and discover beautiful treasures.

I can put it this way: would you prefer to listen to music or do math problems?  Even Einstein preferred to put down his calculations for some good vibrations...