RE: It's because I'm afraid to die
Well, you'd better not die tomorrow, man. People are going to start building theories about your farewell video :)
If that were the case, though, then you'd be remembered as the first steemian to sort of predict his own death and sort of become a legend.
Not so bad after all.
Just kidding. Wish you a long momentous happy life.
I share your thoughts. I've been a university professor for 21 years, and the thought of not having impacted a single life in a positive, transcendental way is daunting.
Some of us may be operating in less transcendental/influential spheres, who knows.
In any case, we may be remembered by people we don't even imagine can or will remember us, in which case we may die thinking that we have been forgotten, but we have not; and that will suck! :)
I think the people who become teachers because they wanna make a difference probably resonate with my feelings on this matter. I mean, I'm sure some do it for the money (yeah right) - i think its one of those professions that you must have a passion for it or you will be miserable.
Absolutely. Interestingly enough, there was a time in Venezuela when teaching was so profitable our universities could hire teachers from around the world. Local teachers could get a high standard of living plus respect and reputation. That drove many to become teachers and some were complete jerks. They did not care about touching students lives or hearts. There were stories of Math teachers competing and betting on how who could fail more students and crap like that.
But those are exceptions to the rule. Teaching is about passion and commitment. Blind optimism on the potential of the human being. With our current educational crisis, all my teacher can rest assured they are well remembered and badly missed.