The previous blog received some interesting comments, with it being correctly stated that our society seems to have evolved even past the concept of a knowledge society into one where there is significant importance that will be placed on "being Actionable" (Nav Nathoo - Facebook, December 3, 2013).
This is a great point and very true. Gaining information is simple, converting that information to knowledge is expected of all people, now we need to move forward into the realm of using knowledge... right!?
It's true that some societies in the world are at that point and soon enough the same shall be expected of all societies, however what we see at a micro level and what is expected at the macro level are very different things and I feel that there are specific reasons for this in today's context.
We live in a world where, increasingly, acceptance means approval. These are not the same things by any means. We must accept everyone, because regardless of where individuals are at in terms of physical ability, cognitive ability, social/economic means, personal fulfillment or any host of descriptors for human endeavor, each of us is where we are due to a sometimes skewed mix of circumstances, personal striving and societal expectations. However, I see an alarming trend today in society where things are being brought to the "lowest common denominator."
In striving to be inclusive of all peoples we seem to be forgetting that all people are not the exact same. Increasingly, having a "good education" refers to a degree where courses are taught that are the exact same as hundreds of other courses throughout the world (or in some cases, of inferior quality). I feel this is because we have a misguided interpretation of a "good society," and of pluralism. Pluralism (the ideology corresponding to acceptance of diversity) by it's very nature assumes that people are different. We are not the same, and should not be seen as such. We have different paths, different educational aims and different abilities. These differences, when viewed as a strength are what give pluralism it's ability to change the world.
We judge individuals based on tests that are flawed by their very nature, to encourage some people to pursue educational endeavors that may or may not be right for them or what society truly needs. This reduction to bringing knowledge to the level of the masses is good in many ways. We want an educated society, we want all individuals to understand everything they possibly can understand and engage with in a meaningful manner, but is this what is good?
Is it our goal to create a society, or societies with individuals who are "jack-of-all-trades, master of none"? Is this even something that society can or should play a role in governing?
On a societal level, we are already at the level of the "wisdom society," but are we doing it in a way that will lead to what Plato called, the "good society"?
Friday, February 28, 2014
The Importance of a Thick Skin
It is very easy in our world to get angry.
Anger is a natural phenomenon and it is accompanied by a host of diverse physiological reactions... in effect, being angry is similar to being afraid and let's be honest, in today's world we all have a lot to be afraid of and about.
Between climate change, wars, instability, and a lack of feeling secure in even the safest areas we all carry some low-grade stress with us at all times... sometimes, it only takes something small to set this off and make us... angry.
What usually happens to me is a host of different factors combine together with a single trigger point, something small that really isn't that big a deal, but seems to be a great injustice at the time, leading to acting in ways I normally wouldn't. Now don't get me wrong, I'm a very calm person and even when I am very upset, usually only those who know me well can tell that anything is wrong at all, but it feels terrible.
I hate being angry because it is irrational.
The trigger point that sets off most of us to being upset and angry is usually another person in our lives, often someone we care about, but sometimes just a random stranger who we feel has slighted us in some manner. That's the key there though... Very few people out there do things to make others angry (there are some though, but only a very, very small minority). Usually that checkout clerk that tells you that you have one item too many in your cart to use the express lane doesn't want to make you mad. People often do things out of their own self-interest, not in the interest of hurting others. That lady at the checkout counter may not want to be there, or maybe she's having a bad day, or maybe she just let someone else slide for having one item too many, only to be burnt by her decision.
We have the gift of knowledge and articulation, but we all have so much trouble articulating our why's... Even to ourselves. Why am I angry? Why is this a big deal?
Or maybe the issue isn't with articulation... maybe the issue is with reflection. Maybe we all need to regularly just stop, take a deep breath. Especially on those days when we've maybe had just a little bit less rest than is good for us, or on those days when we feel a bit more stressed out than normal.
Anger is a driving emotion, and a negative one. When a person is angry, they cannot think about the spiritual world, they cannot connect with the Divine, the material world and the cause of the anger become a consuming force. Anger is like a fire, spiritual search is like water. Fire has it's uses and is important to have, but one shouldn't bring it too close. Water on the other hand gives life, it suffuses our being, it is in our every cell. Too much time in the fire burns away the water and leaves only ashes behind.
Hydration and a thick skin are what is needed.
Anger is a natural phenomenon and it is accompanied by a host of diverse physiological reactions... in effect, being angry is similar to being afraid and let's be honest, in today's world we all have a lot to be afraid of and about.
Between climate change, wars, instability, and a lack of feeling secure in even the safest areas we all carry some low-grade stress with us at all times... sometimes, it only takes something small to set this off and make us... angry.
What usually happens to me is a host of different factors combine together with a single trigger point, something small that really isn't that big a deal, but seems to be a great injustice at the time, leading to acting in ways I normally wouldn't. Now don't get me wrong, I'm a very calm person and even when I am very upset, usually only those who know me well can tell that anything is wrong at all, but it feels terrible.
I hate being angry because it is irrational.
The trigger point that sets off most of us to being upset and angry is usually another person in our lives, often someone we care about, but sometimes just a random stranger who we feel has slighted us in some manner. That's the key there though... Very few people out there do things to make others angry (there are some though, but only a very, very small minority). Usually that checkout clerk that tells you that you have one item too many in your cart to use the express lane doesn't want to make you mad. People often do things out of their own self-interest, not in the interest of hurting others. That lady at the checkout counter may not want to be there, or maybe she's having a bad day, or maybe she just let someone else slide for having one item too many, only to be burnt by her decision.
We have the gift of knowledge and articulation, but we all have so much trouble articulating our why's... Even to ourselves. Why am I angry? Why is this a big deal?
Or maybe the issue isn't with articulation... maybe the issue is with reflection. Maybe we all need to regularly just stop, take a deep breath. Especially on those days when we've maybe had just a little bit less rest than is good for us, or on those days when we feel a bit more stressed out than normal.
Anger is a driving emotion, and a negative one. When a person is angry, they cannot think about the spiritual world, they cannot connect with the Divine, the material world and the cause of the anger become a consuming force. Anger is like a fire, spiritual search is like water. Fire has it's uses and is important to have, but one shouldn't bring it too close. Water on the other hand gives life, it suffuses our being, it is in our every cell. Too much time in the fire burns away the water and leaves only ashes behind.
Hydration and a thick skin are what is needed.
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