We can all learn the lessons of Spider-Man in the quote from his uncle: "With great power, comes great responsibility." I believe that this quote is applicable to modern society with the rise of internet and advances in technological power/capabilities.
The individual's sociological responsibility should also increase as technologies become more sophisticated.
An advanced society should imply 'advanced' in every way. The internet and all forms of communication require increased and 'advanced' accountability by the individual user. It is more critical to say what you mean and mean what you say. The chances of misinterpretation, however, are also drastically increased with decreased word count and more importantly decreasing 'face-time' where key voice intonation, eye contact and other non-verbal cues are disappearing all too quickly. The internet and other advancements are a call for increased personal accountability and responsibility rather than a refuge for anonymity. It is not the invention and use of these tools that are 'evil' but it is the corrupt user who makes them so.
Some days it can seem more difficult to see the now hidden beauty of life's simplicity with an ever advancing society. It is healthy and natural to advance and progress when basic values and principles and responsibilities remain intact.
It can be said that many people have an 'IRL' (in real life) identity as well as a cyber identity. The former should be more active than the latter, but personal responsibility and morality apply to both. The two should not be confused.
For example, do we have a sociological responsibility to appoint someone to delete our Facebook profile upon our death? Or is the 'Facebook profile' a subconscious submission to narcissistic immortality...?
As a reminder of simplicity, I think of HDT and I agree with his sentiments... I would like to go to the woods to live deliberately and find all that is not life and not when I come to die find that I have not lived...
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
Medals for mediocrity?
In a race, there is only one true winner.
When the Greeks started the tradition of their Olympic competitions only one person was recognized as the winner. There was no medal for 2nd and 3rd and the competitors fought to their death to win, literally in some cases. In the modern Olympic Games, I like that there is gold, silver, bronze. It makes it more fun and encourages camaraderie with everybody of all the countries around the world.
In this modern day though where obesity has been said to be the fastest rising epidemic medals and trophies should still be reserved for the winner only. This should make the rest of the participants more admiring of the winner and their deserved reward. The loss should also encourage them to work harder, train harder for next time.
If everyone is given a medal or rewarded then it diminishes the effort and accomplishment of the winner. No we are not all equal in this case and rightly so it should be that way.
Children are not made stronger people by saying "you're all winners." In fact, ironically, I think in the long run this attitude makes them less likely to work hard, weak people without drive and ambition as well as sore losers.
When the Greeks started the tradition of their Olympic competitions only one person was recognized as the winner. There was no medal for 2nd and 3rd and the competitors fought to their death to win, literally in some cases. In the modern Olympic Games, I like that there is gold, silver, bronze. It makes it more fun and encourages camaraderie with everybody of all the countries around the world.
In this modern day though where obesity has been said to be the fastest rising epidemic medals and trophies should still be reserved for the winner only. This should make the rest of the participants more admiring of the winner and their deserved reward. The loss should also encourage them to work harder, train harder for next time.
If everyone is given a medal or rewarded then it diminishes the effort and accomplishment of the winner. No we are not all equal in this case and rightly so it should be that way.
Children are not made stronger people by saying "you're all winners." In fact, ironically, I think in the long run this attitude makes them less likely to work hard, weak people without drive and ambition as well as sore losers.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
