***STEAM***
A few weeks ago, I wrote a song for Lunatic Justice called
“STEM Sell”, where I argue that having a STEM degree doesn’t necessarily equal
happiness despite the job opportunities and abundance of money. In case you
don’t know, STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
The kinds of jobs that come with a STEM degree include medical doctor,
mechanic, computer expert, and architect to name a few. As much as liberal arts
majors like me hate to admit it, STEM skills are in higher demand than creative
ones.
But think of how boring this world would be without art. If
everybody had STEM jobs, you can kiss Harry Potter, Pink Floyd, Wonder Woman,
and everything else considered fun goodbye. Speaking of Pink Floyd, there’s a
scene in The Wall movie where Pink’s math teacher beats him for writing poetry
in class instead of doing homework. That scene is based on Roger Waters’s
childhood. If he had caved in to the hate and got a “real job” instead of
singing in a band…well, you know how this conversation is going to go.
Want another real world example? Jim Carrey gave a college
speech about how his father could have been a professional comedian with the
sense of humor he had, but instead took a financially safe job as an accountant
(the M in STEM). Jim Carrey’s father was laid off from his job, which proves that
failure isn’t something only artists experience. Imagine if Jim Carrey took the
“safe route” and became an accountant like his dad. Actually, no, don’t imagine
that, especially if you’re prone to crying your eyes out.
Ever see the bumper sticker that says “Earth without art is
just eh”? Well, every time I hear a STEM student brag about how he’s better
than liberal arts majors, I think of that bumper sticker. That same
braggadocios student is probably wiping his tears away with those hundred
dollar bills. That’s not to say STEM doesn’t have a place in modern society,
but it shouldn’t be the only thing we have available jobs for. We need to find
a balance between happiness and financial stability.
All you have to do is stick an A (Art) in between the E and
the M and you’ve got STEAM. Think of all the creative fields out there and how
they’re interconnected with STEM. The music industry is a prime example of
this. Of course, the creative side comes from the songwriting and performances.
But if you want to put together an album or put on an elaborate concert, you
have to have a fairly extensive knowledge of the equipment involved. Rammstein
concerts are fun as fuck, but without sound engineers, lightning designers, and
pyrotechnicians, I don’t care how good they are as musicians, because their
concert will sound like shit without those essential crew members.
The movie industry has STEAM applications as well. Sure,
there’s the acting, screenwriting, directing, makeup art, and all of that. But
you still need a STEM guy to know how to work the camera, create special
effects, edit the film reels, and engineer the sound effects.
Take any creative endeavor and it will have connections to
STEAM no matter how much someone argues otherwise. And since I’m an author, I
might as well throw my personal experience into the mix. My job is to put words
onto the screen and edit the final product so that it’s nice and polished for
publication. If you plan on publishing, you have to have an extensive knowledge
of economics (math), computer skills (technology), audience psychology
(science), and…help me out here, I’m trying to think of an engineering example.
Or perhaps your STEM experience can reveal itself in your actual manuscript.
Maybe you’re writing a spy novel where someone has to use explosives
(technology). Maybe you’re doing a combat scene and have to diagnose the
traumas of each fighter (science).
STEM jobs and artistic jobs both require a great deal of
dedication and hard work in order to succeed. Failure is a part of both sides
of the spectrum and being able to dust yourself off and get back up is the true
test of success, not money or college experience. I’ve experienced my fair
share of failures in my career. I’ve had two-star reviews, angry criticisms,
and plenty of doubters who simply thought I sucked.
I could go with the safe route and be a computer specialist,
but would I experience the same amount of joy as I do when I create a story or poem
out of thin air? Hell no. STEM jobs are important and highly abundant, but
there’s more to life than changing oil in somebody’s car. If you’re a STEM
employee and you’re happy with life, good for you. But that’s no excuse to put
down liberal arts majors when you’re just as capable of failure as they are.
We’ve got ears, say cheers!
***POISON TONGUE TALES 2: THE RIGHT TO REMAIN PSYCHOTIC***
It’s a new week at the WSS and it’s time for a new story.
This time we’re dealing with Baby Steps as the major theme. What better way to
conform to that prompt than by writing a story called “Where’s My Damn Money?”
What else am I going to call it? Here’s how it goes:
CHARACTERS:
- Chetty Claymore, Elf Necromancer
- Pia Caine, Cat Wizard
PROMPT CONFORMITY: Pia’s small payments against her debt are
considered baby steps toward the larger goal of being financially free.
SYNOPSIS: When wandering mage Pia is wounded in battle,
Chetty saves her life in return for a whopping amount of money. A year has
passed since these events and Pia is no closer to paying off her crushing debt.
One night while concocting a potion in her lab, she is visited by the impatient
Chetty, who threatens to kill her and the ones she loves if she doesn’t pay
what he’s owed. Pia believes she can simply fight her way out of debt, but
Chetty is part of a much larger organization of debt collectors and even if she
wins, he won’t be her last opponent. Chetty also reveals that Pia’s personal
information has been shared with her attacker from one year ago.
***DARK FANTASY WARRIORS***
Earlier tonight, I posted my non-WSS story called “Lionize”
and Andrea Lovell, the CEO from that story, is next on the chopping block.
Andrea was originally a character conceived by my old D&D friend Heather
when the two of us would do private role-plays together on MSN Instant
Messenger. She’s usually cool with me using her RPG characters in my stories,
but if she isn’t this time around, then I’ll happy use someone else. I think
she’ll be happy with what I come up for her as a drawing.
***FACE BOOK POST OF THE DAY***
WWU stands for World Wrestling
University
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