28 December 2007

Is Hope the Same as Optimism?

I used to think hope and optimism were the same thing. But, more recently I've come to the conclusion that I cannot be both hopeful and optimistic about something at the same time. Hope is defined in many ways, as is optimism. To me, hope is an emotion, not based on any facts or knowledge, just a desire or wish. Optimism suggests knowledge of or an awareness of the potential of things working out - an expectation.

It's easier to understand the difference in context. For example, about the state of the world; lets see...given human nature, politics, greed, inequality and environmental degradation, I don't expect things to work out well in the long run, nor in the short run. I am not optimistic. However, I am hopeful. I hope that future generations will be wiser, that technology will help, that the world will become more equal, that racial and gender discrimination will decrease. I cannot believe, based on my knowledge of the world, that anything will improve or have the potential to improve. I cannot imagine how things will change. I can only hope that things will change.

I'm glad to be aware of the difference now. It's helped me to organize and categorize some of my thought and musings. When I'm bitter or fed up about something, such as the craziness in the world like the recent assassination of Bhutto, I can reflect both intellectually and emotionally. I can be angry and hopeful at the same time, discouraged and determined, enraged and energized. It's good to know that I am not becoming consumed by anger and disappointment, which was my previous belief and fear. I have hope to cling to and that's better than nothing.

Fair Energy Plan

How about reworking the pricing of energy? Set a target for energy consumption per household, an average cost of energy consumption for power and heat. Then set pricing according to the average energy costs per household; a lesser cost for households consuming energy below average consumption rates, a higher cost for households consuming energy above the average household consumption rate.

Why do we need to do this? It seems unlikely that people who consume excessive amounts of energy will cease to do so without incentive. It is likely that those who are responsible consumers of energy will continue to be so if they are rewarded. This cost reduction will aid people in the lower income categories who most likely consume below average energy rates. And, for those who continue to consume large amounts of energy for superficial reasons, there will be a penalty and incentive to look at alternative renewable energy resources such as solar panels and energy efficient appliances.

We all have to start acting more responsibly for environmental reasons. That's a no brainer. However, we're reluctant to change. Sometimes we need a gentle push in the right direction.

Will this plan help? Yes. Who will it benefit? Low to middle range households and environmentally conscientious homeowners. Who will it not benefit? large households and excessive energy consumers.

If someone can afford to, and continues to consume energy above and beyond what is needed by the average household, that person should pay extra. Seems simple enough. Now, who has the guts to do it?

13 December 2007

Snap Out of It! Enough Already.

Why do we do something we know is wrong? Where's the sense? It baffles me how humans consistently do the wrong thing. Why won't we stop polluting? Why do we say we care about the destruction of the environment yet do nothing to stop it? And yes, I'm using the 'royal we'. There are some wise folks out there who actually walk the talk but they are the minority. I'm no hero. Sure, I do my part: recycle, buy locally, small car, live downtown, small house, small footprint, etc. However, I still put out bags of garbage every two weeks, consume energy daily, buy plastics and convenience items from far away lands. I feel bad about that but when I look around me at the incredible consumption rate of greedy materialistic people driving SUVs, living in ridiculously big houses, gorging on pre-packaged junk food, discarding mounds of garbage...I feel a little less guilty, although disgusted.

What is it? Don't people travel? Don't they see the harsh living conditions in many developing countries? Do they not see the poor living on the street in their own community? Don't they care? Aren't' they ashamed of their extravagant lifestyle compared to that of the poor? No? Well, I am.

Where's the wisdom? Where's the common sense? Is it a problem with westernized values? Are we so focused on money and success we're blinded to the reality of the world? In the western world, we've lost ourselves. We've sold out mother nature, we've sold out society. I don't think we'll be struck by lightning (although some deserve it, eh Alberta?). No, rather, our punishment is a dying world rife with pain, suffering, war, disease, hatred, terrorism, greed, and loss.

Do I think life sucks? No. I think life is great, think about kids, friends, family, animals, nature, humour, music, school, sports, spiritualism, etc. I don't think we're doomed yet, we have a chance to change things for the better.

How can we change? I think we need to rethink our values in life. I think more focus and power should be in the hands of local government as opposed to distant leaders. I think people who abuse the environment should be held accountable for their actions. I think the education system has to change to be able to meet the needs of our reality and prepare for the future. I think people should get a voice, read more, travel more, and stop competing for the newest and best trinkets on the market. I think the media should be more responsible and stop the sad and pathetic decline to the world of TV entertainment.

There, that shouldn't be too hard. Right?

04 December 2007

Can Wisdom be Measured?

What if there was a way to qualify learning that is both formal and informal. It doesn't seem right that post-secondary institutions have the almighty power to legitimize what you know or have learned. The process is flawed. It doesn't take into account previous learning, experience, exposure to the world, etc. Earning a BA does not make you 'wise'. Earning a Masters or PhD does not make you 'wise'. A combination of life-long and life-wide learning makes you 'smart and intelligent and wise'. How can this be documented and translated into a recognized record of 'how-smart-you-really-are-today? Could this be indexed? What would that look like? Could it be a scoring system? Could you get credit for travel, volunteerism, languages, credit and non-credit education, work experience, entrepreneurship, parenthood, hobbies, etc?

Why not? Isn't this a better representation of the person, the whole person? Would your score increase with age? Sure, if you see, learn and do more, not just because you're aging. What about new university grads, will their scores be low? Perhaps, but if they haven't done anything but attend school, should they really consider themselves to be wise?

There definitely is a need to look at more than formal education. When you look at employment postings, certain education levels are a requirement to even be considered as an applicant. That's nuts! It's not until after you get the job that your past experience comes into focus in your pay rating. How weird is that?

Definitions:

Intelligence:(courtesy of Wikipedia) is a property of the mind that encompasses many related abilities, such as the capacities to reason, to plan, to solve problems, to think abstractly, to comprehend ideas, to use language, and to learn. There are several ways to define intelligence. In some cases, intelligence may include traits such as creativity, personality, character, knowledge, or wisdom.

Smart:(wordnet.princeton) showing mental alertness and calculation and resourcefulness

Wisdom:(courtest of Wikipedia) according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, is defined as the "1 a: Accumulated philosophic or scientific learning-knowledge; b: Ability to discern inner qualities and relationships-insight; c: Good sense-judgment d: Generally accepted belief . d: A wise attitude, belief, or course of action. e: The teachings of the ancient wise men".

Most psychologists regard wisdom as distinct from the cognitive abilities measured by standardized intelligence tests. Wisdom is often considered to be a trait that can be developed by experience, but not taught. When applied to practical matters, the term wisdom is synonymous with prudence. Some see wisdom as a quality that even a child, otherwise immature, may possess independent of experience or complete knowledge. The status of wisdom or prudence as a virtue is recognized in cultural, philosophical and religious sources. Some define wisdom in a utilitarian sense, as foreseeing consequences and acting to maximize the long-term common good.

As such, in general, wisdom is looked at in his/her ideals and principles that govern all actions and decisions. Applications of personal wisdom include one's ethical and social guidelines in life that determines one’s unique style of personality, the particular nature of short and long-term goal(s) pursued in life (spiritual or materialistic for example), perspective on life, social attitudes, etc.

Nicholas Maxwell, a modern philosopher, argued that the basic aim of academic inquiry ought to be to seek and promote wisdom — wisdom being construed to be the capacity to realize what is of value in life for oneself and others, wisdom thus including knowledge and technological know-how, but much else besides.

02 December 2007

Monochromatic World?

Ahhh, another creeping feeling that I cannot shake. The feeling started a few years ago and it came from a fear of what the world will look like in 10-15 years. This isn't depressing talk, I have a point to make.

Consider the rate of environmental degradation in our world, the loss of forests, rich soil and clean water, animal extinction, global warming, on and on. What will we have left in the next decade? How many species will survive? Will there be more drought, starvation, natural disasters? Probably. Will science and technology help? Maybe.

Then, look at society? The divide between the have and have not nations is growing. The divide between the have and have nots within a nation is growing. Cultures are disappearing under the weight of influential and rich majorities. Diversity is disappearing.

And finally, take a look at secondary and post secondary institutions who are churning out carbon copy grads. Students identified by numbers are taking courses delivered on 'conveyor belt' systems built by and for a backward looking society. OK, this last statement may be a bit harsh but, lets face it, it's easier for institutions to look to successes in the past than challenges in the future.

If you consider the environmental, societal and educational impact on our world, a pattern emerges. A pattern of loss of variety, loss of diversity, loss of colour in our world.

Without variety, the environment cannot evolve. Nature needs variety to survive. Likewise, society needs diversity. Societies learn and grow from interacting with each other. Creativity and development will languish under the loss of cultural variety. Education needs variety. It needs faculty, administration, community and students to challenge the status quo, to be creative and experimental.

Without diversity, our world will lose colour and become monochromatic. This is serious.

OK, so I've whined about the state of the world. What can I do about it? That's the million dollar question.

Well, for one, I can start local and have a voice. I can do my part to be environmentally responsible which includes trying to influence others to change their pattern of behavior and become stewards of the environment. I've made some headway and I hope to do a lot more.

01 December 2007

Grad Profile

I recently attended a meeting where the discussion centered around a 'grad profile'. Now, I understand the reasoning behind the profile exercise. The institution wants to ensure that the grads of a program will meet the needs and expectations of stakeholders, namely the institution, the industry, the profession, etc.

However, I couldn't help wonder how they could determine what the grad profile should be? It's a bit like gazing into the crystal ball isn't it? Are we concentrating too much on churning out graduates who 'fit a mould'. I'm not saying that the grad profiling is wrong, just inhibiting to the idea that grads should not just fit a mould, but be ready to break or redesign the mould. I keep thinking about how fast, diverse and complex the world is, and how easily institutions seems to be able to define the qualities needed to survive and flourish in this complex environment. I think grad profiles may have been useful once upon a time but I do not think their effectiveness is sustainable. I think of education nowadays as a journey, an experience that colours your thoughts and ideas. These new colours blend with the colours of the world and eventually, new colourful ideas will emerge. Lets not wash out the richness of individual colours with 'current-need' profiling that limits creative freedom.

Additional piece: Just read an interesting article on "Push and Pull ". It's an interesting look at the difference between institutions that support employees with predefined programs such as those requiring grad profiles, compared to pull systems which respond to the timely needs of the employees. Seems like a no-brainer to me.

It starts from confusion and then get worse

Isn't it interesting how a simple problem can quickly become complex by trying to solve it. You read or hear something, it strikes you as something 'not quite right' and before you know it, you're swimming in data and material and it's keeping you up at night. My guess is you love it too.

I'm always in a state of bewilderment as new curiosities pop up every day. Do I enjoy it? Yes. Is it tiring? Yes. Can I do anything about it? Well, I hope this blog will help to record some thoughts and ideas. I hope to be able to revisit the ideas and either develop them or chuck them out. The entries may be random and disconnected but that's the way I like to do things. I like seeing the pattern in chaos.