Branford Marsalis on Students today

When I'm not doing web design or application development for the web, I'm a graduate student @ Iowa State University (online) and an practitioner of jazz via the alto saxophone. While I was in undergrad, I found most of the classes to be directionless and I was always frustrated with the minimalist efforts by fellow students as well as my own students (I was a Comp. Sci. TA for a couple of years). I would constantly ask myself, "Why are you here if you had no intention of at least trying to be the best @ international affairs or business management or accounting?".

It wasn't until I got into graduate school that I realized that real work is done by those who do not expect advancement in exchange for mediocrity (aka lazians).

I found a video clip of Branford Marsalis, a very prominent jazz artist and musician, speaking out about how he feels about the aforementioned lazians in general and I think he has an excellent point...take a minute to watch. (Warning: harsh language ahead)



Real: Rewards / Recognition for meaningful efforts

Imagined: Bonuses for the undeserving