Article at a glance:
- Dead Poets Society has a lot to teach us about free thinking and finding our own voice.
- Learn from others but remember, you’re free to form your own opinion.
- Intentionally step outside your perspective to expand your view.
- Our core value of Occhiolism is crucial for expanding your perspective.
Time to read - 3 minutes
One of our favorite movies at Redmond is Dead Poets Society. For our December 2024 culture meeting, we watched and discussed a few clips where Mr. Keating, played by Robin Williams, encourages his students to be free thinkers and share their gifts with the world.
This movie is all about challenging paradigms and finding your voice. And if that isn’t our Redmond experiment and 3 Circles journey, we don’t know what is!
Our Favorite Lessons from Dead Poets Society
Free thinking
In Dead Poets Society, Mr. Keating asks a student to read a selection from the introduction of their poetry textbook…and then rip it right out of the book.
While some of us might shudder at the idea of ripping pages from a book (especially considering the price of textbooks), this is a poignant gesture: even though that selection was written by an “expert” and published in print, the students were free to form their own opinions about poetry rather than evaluate poems based on that rigid structure.
At Redmond, our whole vision is based on challenging paradigms, like the idea that you can either do what you love or make good money. (We believe you can do both!)
We trade linear thinking for broad exploration, false dichotomies for both/and thinking, and the corporate ladder for success tracks for all, just to name a few paradigm shifts that are central to our culture.
Think about some of the things you believe or take for granted as true. Where did you learn those ideas? Where did they come from? Did you always think that way? Are there any pages you want to rip out of your textbook?
It’s hard to go against established norms or paradigms, but it’s non-negotiable for living a fulfilling life.
Look at things differently
“Just when you think you know something, you have to look at it in a different way.” - Mr. Keating
In another clip of the movie, Mr. Keating begins the class by standing on his desk. “Things look different from up here,” he tells the students. He then invites them to line up and stand on the desk, one by one, to get a different perspective.
Our core value of Occhiolism reminds us that our perspective is limited, and that we need to stretch outside our perspective to get a more balanced view of the world. We need to collaborate with others as well as stretch our own minds.
When do you stand on your desk to get a different perspective? Is it when you have conversations, read, travel, or listen to podcasts?
Make an effort to step outside your own perspective. This doesn’t mean you have to change your perspective or agree with someone you just don’t see eye-to-eye with, but it’s good to learn to understand other perspectives.
Have conversations with lots of different people (especially those who think differently from you), read books, listen to podcasts, travel, attend different churches, or whatever you need to do to get outside your own point of view.
Expand Your Thinking
While we love Ted Talks and inspiring commencement addresses, movies often have just as much to teach us.
Try Dead Poets Society for your next movie night, and remember to use your voice, and sometimes, stand on your desk to expand your perspective!
