GRADE: A-

As I entered the freshman class of Vanderbilt University eight short days ago I did not know what I would be getting myself into. Even though I have not been in school for long, I have been forced to think about who I am and what I believe. I am finding that I am really not absolutely sure what it is that I believe in. From my readings of Bronowski I am able to delve deeper into issues that are prominent in my life now. First, he explains the foresight. I am amazed at how much really goes on in the human mind. Second, he proves that humans do show a delay in response. Finally, Bronowski explains how the internalization of thought allows humans to work through a situation without much difficulty. These three subjects have caused me to deliberate and analyze the ideas themselves and the ways in which they apply to my life.

My life at Vanderbilt is till new. I am still learning where my classes are, what not to eat in Rand, and more importantly, what I want to improve about myself. I find that sometimes I make decisions without weighing all consequences of the situation. I now see that I am not using foresight. Foresight is what allows one to see the future consequences, good and bad, or their actions. Bronowski points out the human beings have to capability to prepare for future situations. However, I know that though we may have the ability we may forget to use it. For example, I usually have free time during the day. During this time I usually choose to play or visit with my friends. Very rarely do I even contemplate doing my homework for my classes. I am learning that I need to use my ability to adequately plan and manage my time. I know that I must make the conscious effort to do what I need to do. It is amazing to me that only human beings have the ability to foresee and plan accordingly for future actions, and I need to remember to use this ability.

When planning for the future I usually talk myself through the situation. For example, before I leave for the grocery store I tell myself what I need and how I am going to use it. I also talk myself through most situations that I am faced with: whether it is an assignment or planning my activities for the night. However, I never realized that this was a special characteristic of human beings. I guess that I never really thought of it in the past. Talking to myself is something that I do so often that I do not realize it. Bronowski points out that everyone has internal conversations, and on this point I agree. However, I do not agree that it is done consciously. I know that when I am thinking my way through a situation or planning my day, it is not a conscious effort. When I get dressed in the morning I must have already planned out my clothes in my head because I go right towards them, but I do not remember doing it. I think that even though people do talk to themselves they are not always aware of it. I notice that mundane tasks are done with mechanical ease, as if never thought about. It is amazing to me that we can complete these tasks without the slightest thought of what we are doing. We are able to do them in an almost instinctive way.

Instinct is something that does not dominate our lives. Our instinct does not always lead us to make the right decisions. Bronowski brings out the idea of delaying your reaction. He says that by doing this we are able to separate emotion from information, causing us to react in the appropriate manner. However, that is not our instinctive reaction. When a statement causes an anger response the "fight or flight" biological response is initiated. If one chooses to react as instinct commands he will find himself in more trouble than he started. I agree that we should, as Bronowski suggests, make ourselves delay our reactions. He gave the example of counting to ten in a heated argument. I agree, and even think that sometimes twenty is better. I know that I tend to respond too quickly and I do not always think before I speak. This fault of mine usually gets me into more trouble than had I taken the time to delay my response. I have a difficulty separating information from emotion and I am curious as to whether Bronowski’s message will work. I am willing to try and delay my responses in order to contemplate my response and find an appropriate one for the situation.

Different situations require different skills, ones that all humans have. Bronowski has shown me that some of my difficulties, or quirks if you will, are common to everyone. I originally thought that it was not normal to talk to myself, as I so often find myself doing. However, I now know that is not the case. A lot of what Bronowski has to say does not seem pertinent to my life. Nevertheless, there are those little things that stand out and call my attention to them. These little things stick in my mind and I think about them over and over again. They cause me to learn, develop, and improve my self. My slightly improved self is now a little bit more ready for the year, and I know that I am much wiser and more knowledgeable than I was eight short days ago.