“What are we are supposed to get out of school?” I asked one of my closest friends earlier this week. “What’s the point?” She looked at me for a moment, and then replied, “To produce a person who can form intelligent opinions on world issues, listen to other people’s ideas, and work together with
KidSpirit Online is a free teen magazine & website for kids created by and for young people to tackle life’s big questions together. The Big Question section in each issue of KidSpirit Magazine contains essays on an idea central to the theme of each issue. Enjoy the “Big Questions” here and be sure to submit your poetry, artwork and writing for future issues of KidSpirit.
Blank Disk or Software Included: Are We Born with Ethics and Morals?
Are we born with morality? Do we have a sense of right or wrong from day one? Or are we just blank canvases that society paints on? If put in an extreme situation, could an ordinary person grow up to be a psychopath? According to the Oxford Dictionary, ethics are “moral principles that govern a
- December 5, 2011
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- Ethics and Morality
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Mountains and Meadows and Some Kind of Wonder
As I write this, I’m looking out over a wide, vibrant meadow. There’s a huge mountain staring back at me, snow-capped even now, in the middle of the summer. Birds chirp and the air is crisp. I remember that years ago, sitting on this very bench with my legs swinging back and forth and
- September 12, 2011
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- Creativity and Imagination
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Why Do We Laugh?
Why do we laugh? As defined by the Merriam Webster Dictionary, to laugh is to show emotion (as in mirth, joy, or scorn), to find amusement or pleasure in something, or to produce the sound or appearance of laughter. This basic definition of laughter will serve as a point of reference as I try to
- June 6, 2011
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- Exploring Humor
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Is Conflict Necessary for Inner Growth?
In this article, “peace among ourselves” refers to diplomatic peace between nations and ultimately humans coming together as one with no hardships that stem from their disagreements. In addition, “world peace” refers to peace and harmony between ourselves as well as the world—including nature and other external events that we have no control over. Peace
Kites, Flowers and Beats of Life
“I walk through the unknown alleys alone Drops of rain sting my skin “What is this life?” I scream out loud Death extends his arm to me I take it, grasp it tightly. I fly… Fly to the land of freedom” The poet put down his pen. He then tore the page from his notebook,
- December 1, 2010
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- The Question of Meaning
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What is Art?
Imagine, for a moment, a rectangular canvas that is painted blue… OK, you’re done. That’s all you had to imagine. Yes, that’s the whole painting. No other shapes, no other colors, no subject. Is this Art? In 2006, this painting was on display at MoMA, the Museum of Modern Art in NYC. It was painted
- September 7, 2010
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- Finding Your Spirit in Art
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From Cliff to Cliff
“It seems as if it I am standing on the very edge of a cliff, not knowing when the next change will come about, and that I will be pushed over the edge only to find myself on the edge of another cliff.” In a fast-paced age of technology, in the “city that never sleeps,”
- June 14, 2010
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- The Body in Balance
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Is it Just as Important to Learn How Others Celebrate?
My dad steps out of the car, looks around at the surrounding stores, and grumbles. “I can’t believe how much this area has changed.” He sighs. “When I was growing up, this was an entirely Hungarian neighborhood.” My brother and I exchange amused smirks. Now it’s my turn to complain. “Seriously dad? We visit Grandma
- April 17, 2010
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- Rituals and Traditions
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Does Competition Bring out the Best in Us?
A proverb states that “competition is the whetstone of talent” and Henry Clay said that “of all human powers operating on the affairs of mankind, none is greater than that of competition.” On the other hand, it has also been said that “though competition brings out the best in products, it brings out the worst
- September 3, 2009
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- Competition and Achievement
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