“You didn't need a college degree to become one of the people who knew what was really going on. If you paid attention, you could pick things up on your own.”
In this quote, author Jeannette Walls is highlighting the importance of curiosity and critical thinking over formal education. She suggests that anyone can become informed and insightful about the world around them simply by paying attention and being curious. This quote highlights the power of self-driven learning and reminds us that knowledge is accessible to anyone who seeks it, regardless of their educational background. Walls encourages us to be proactive in seeking understanding and not rely solely on traditional education to gain knowledge.
In today's digital age, the quote by Jeannette Walls holds even more relevance. With the vast amount of information available online, individuals have the opportunity to educate themselves on a variety of topics without the need for a formal college degree. By being attentive and curious, people can pick up valuable knowledge on their own, allowing them to stay informed and aware of what is really going on in the world. This underscores the importance of self-education and lifelong learning in today's fast-paced and ever-changing society.
"You didn't need a college degree to become one of the people who knew what was really going on. If you paid attention, you could pick things up on your own.” - Jeannette Walls"
This quote by author Jeannette Walls emphasizes the importance of observation and paying attention in gaining knowledge and understanding of the world around us.
In the quote by Jeannette Walls, she emphasizes the importance of paying attention and being observant in order to truly understand what is happening around us. Reflect on the following questions to deepen your understanding of this idea:
How does this quote challenge the traditional idea that formal education is necessary for gaining knowledge and understanding?
In what ways have you personally experienced or observed individuals who were able to "pick things up on their own" without a college degree?
What are some examples from your own life where you have learned valuable insights simply by paying attention and being curious about the world around you?
How can we cultivate a mindset of continuous learning and curiosity in order to stay informed and knowledgeable about various topics, even without a formal education?
“There was nothing to compare with standing on a ice of land you owned free and clear. No one could push you off it, no one could take it from you, no one could tell you what to do with it.”
“People are like animals. Some are happiest penned in, some need to roam free. You go to recognize what's in her nature and accept it.”
“I hadn’t been paying much attention to things like the sunrise, but that old sun had been coming up anyway. It didn’t really care how I felt, it was going to rise and set regardless of whether I noticed it, and if I was going to enjoy it, that was up to me.”
“I realized that you can get so used to certain luxuries that you start to think they’re necessities, but when you have to forgo them, you come to see that you don’t need them after all. There was a big difference between needing things and wanting things—though a lot of people had trouble telling the two apart—and at the ranch, I could see, we’d have pretty much everything we’d need but precious little else.”
“As I sat down, though, I realized that you can get used to certain luxuries that you start to think they're necessities, but when you have to forgo them, you come to see that you don't need them after all. There was a big difference between needing things and wanting things--though a lot of people had trouble telling the two apart--and at the ranch, I could see, we have pretty much everything we'd need but precious little else.”
“Mom became even more concerned about my values when my editor offered me a job writing a weekly column about what he called the behind-the-scenes doings of the movers and shakers. Mom thought I should be writing exposes about oppressive landlords, social injustice, and the class struggle on the Lower East Side. But I leaped at the job, because it meant I would become one of those people who knew what was really going on. Also, most people in Welch had a pretty good idea how bad off the Walls family was, but the truth was, they all had their problems, too--they were just better than we were at covering them up. I wanted to let the world know that no one had a perfect life, that even the people who seemed to have it all had their secrets.”