Tag: Society
Why is it that so much conversation fails to produce change in society?
Conversation is so uniquely human. Even in the stories we write, one of the fascinating capabilities a writer can give to his imagined beast is to talk like humans. A bird, a dragon, a serpent, or some other ferocious beast takes on a new life as soon as it talks like humans do. From there, […]
1 – Aadhar – The belief in the possibility of a good, honest society
To avoid distraction, I have placed a note in the footer. Please read it first, if you wish, to gain perspective about this presentation. The nature of humans and the nature of government: It would seem that by now we would be absolutely clear about these two matters. As it turns out, we are not. […]
Becoming the kind of people who have a diversity of interests
Technology has affected not only societies but also the individual within them. In particular, the way we search and access information has become very specific. This is not a bad thing. However, it also requires a user of technology to put this knowledge to use. Using information is possible through understanding, and that understanding comes […]
Keeping the thrill of technology in proper perspective to regain control in communication
People seek thrill. To fulfill that pursuit they look for adventure. We all happen to be in a world right now where the next adventure is as close as our mobile phone. When connected to the Internet, the whole world is open before us. There are the possibility and prospect of visiting any place, reading […]
Curiosity and a spirit of adventure for those who seek answers, not absolute certainty
While it is very desirable to be able to come to a point of certainty, it is not always possible. The rules we set, the goals we pursue, the desires we cherish could be examples of stable reasons for actions. However, these too can change with time. What appeared to be certain yesterday can appear […]
The mind and its need for certainty – a tendency toward black-and-white thinking
Time goes by and a human mind is able to persist despite a lack of certainty. It requires a simplicity and an exercise of patience, but it is possible. Keeping a sense of contentment is very important during times of uncertainty. It is quite like a ship out in the open sea. A ship can […]
Cults of black-and-white thinking – a lesson from Jehovah’s witnesses
Cults – what does the word bring to mind? There are thoughts of blind devotion. There most certainly is the charisma or power of a leader over his followers. Finally, there is the absolute certainty of purpose. Whether one thinks of Jim Jones, Hitler, or the Messiah of Israel, these things are to be found […]
Can we change our beliefs to formulate better predictions for the future?
As hard as one may try, it is not possible to entirely avoid the practice of predicting the future. Why is it that people want to predict the outcome before it happens? The reason is quite simple. There is a desire to have certainty about the future. Predictions give us a feeling of security. We […]
Peace is simplicity
Simplicity promotes peace. Such peace is also easier to maintain because there is lesser that can go wrong. If it does, it’s easier to fix.
How can we use the speed of communication technology to social advantage?
In ancient times, a man would get on a horse if there was an important information to be delivered quickly. Horses were kept and cared for, for times just as these. Maybe the rider was sleeping in his bed. He was awakened for the express purpose of having to get the horse ready and deliver […]
Why we might criticize technology rather than the information it brings
Every time new inventions and technologies have arrived upon mankind, there have been critics of them. Some of these criticisms are valid. Even the observations upon which these criticisms are made are not obvious to everyone. For example, it would be rare to notice like Tristan Harris, how particular designs of apps and interface psychologically […]
How does a movie differ from real life? And why does present life seem like a movie?
Art follows life, or does life follow art? This question seems nowhere more relevant than in the case of movies. Movies are the depiction of life. The characters in some cases are so relatable, that people have seen themselves on the movie screen. They learn lessons, find out their own mistakes, and understand more about […]
Are there reliable ways of finding out the truth about a person on social networking? Part 2: conflicts
There are people who are peaceable. There are people who avoid conflicts. There are people who realize that it is not for one person to solve the problems of another. Yes, help, hope, and a willingness to listen can be offered. A kind word of encouragement is also possible to give. However, it is rarely […]
Man-made labels for social convenience and simplification
It is amazing to consider, that a human being would willingly accept a label to define his entire existence. There are many labels in existence. People label themselves based on education, profession, family, country, or religion. With an expanding knowledge, each of those labels proves insufficient and incomprehensive. So, in order to identify oneself, an […]
Why does Bipolar disorder mean different things to different people?
Bipolar disorder has been understood through its manifested symptoms. Once it appeared consistently, clearly, and in bullet-form in books of psychology and psychiatry, beliefs about it also became more set. This is the power of books, or one might say, of advertizing. Bipolar disorder became a greatly advertized illness, and it gained social acceptability with […]
