Skip to main content

Two Interesting Videos : Divergent Thinking and Empathy

These videos are sort of complimentary to each other; yet, there is a possibility that a change in our capitalistic, industrialized educational paradigm could result in a rethinking of human nature and the other institutions within our society today. There is a chance that we can be educated to accentuate and even amplify our empathic sociability and rediscover our kinship as a global race.


Why are we putting ourselves through factory-lines? Why do we stifle our aesthetic senses and capacities for creativity? 

Sir Ken Robinson thinks that we should change the paradigm of education and I agree. What do you think?



'Can we connect our empathy to a single race writ large in a single biosphere?' We do have a common bond - empathy, and perhaps we ought not repress it, and give in to our 'secondary drives' such as narcissism, materialism, violence and aggression.

Do you think these videos are accomplishing these goals, in that they attempt to educate and stimulate us in different cognitive ways?  


I think so. 

Comments

  1. Tim5 March 2011 at 21:26

    i linked to the second vid (the empathic civilisation) after seeing it on http://solarcrash.com/

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

We Don't Talk about Livability Enough

We don't. What's the number one thing you wished would change in the place you live in? I'm not talking about a trip to IKEA for your personal living space. It's something bigger. Beyond your drive way, your porch. Your immediate surroundings or even the township that you're in. When was the last time we paused and reflected on the state its in? Are there clogged drains, litter, stray animals, broken lights, mosquito infestation, rats, roaches, cracked sidewalks, potholes, unused empty spaces, overgrowth, weeds? Just to name a few. Maybe you think it'll be nice to finally add more park benches for people to sit in. Or maybe, to have a park to start with. "Livability" as a concept is not widely discussed on its on, but implied: whether the place has a high quality of living, infrastructure, public transportation, education, amenities, suitable climate, access to jobs. All of these decide whether a place is "livable" or not. B...
2 comments
Read more

New York So Far

It has been such a frantic week or so here. I'm writing this as I take a break from the copious amount of readings assigned in law school. A quick summary of what I've learnt so far (in general chronological occurence during a typical day) 1. Setting 3 alarms to wake up is efficient and effective 2. Showering the night before and laying out clothes for next morning allows me to reach the train station in 12-14 minutes, 15 minutes is cutting it. 3. The 7:52 am train is also a good option if you miss the 7:34 train in New Hyde Park. 4. When Penn Station-bound, sit in the last 2 cars of the LIRR so I'm closer to the 8th avenue ACE trains to West 4th Station. 5. Food portions are extremely large, so anything within $6.99 is very very adequate expenditure for my individual consumption. 6. Haggling has saved me upwards of $40 when riding cabs who don't charge by meter (outside of Manhattan). 7. Sit in the middle back rows of the class so I won't be called on ver...
3 comments
Read more

Walkability

I've spent close to 3 weeks in Singapore for a work trip recently.  The city is a gleaming example of prudent, sensible & effective public policy. Every square-inch of the island has been mapped out, years before, with the room to rework the space if the need arises. Let's talk about walking, specifically, the decision to walk to your destination and forgo other means of transportation. Not enough people in Malaysia like to walk. Many blame the weather, the cracked sidewalks or that it's simply much easier to drive or share a ride there. Their reasons are justified. However, I'd argue that walkability is the end result of many policies aligning to create just the right environment to inspire people to lace up their shoes and make that walk. These policies are, in no particular order of importance: spatial planning, accessibility, public transportation. Using Singapore as a case study, I'll provide some observations and thoughts. Spatial Planning:  S...
2 comments
Read more