Ever wanted to try god for a no-purchase-necessary, no-strings-attached weekend? Well, now you can. In Austria, a monastery is offering men the chance to be a monk for a weekend - for absolutely free! It's part of a recruitment drive to offer up a 'try before you buy' opportunity to people interested in monkism.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8525741.stm
Absolutely brilliant! It's putting religion up there with Easy Jet, Starbucks and McDonalds. I'm not religious but I say BOGOF. Do the monks get loyalty points or bonus prayer time if they recommend a friend?
Becomming a monk - a pretty fundamental life changing event - should really be handled more responsibly. Think of all the depressed people looking for meaning in their lifes - a quick weekend introduction to god in a peaceful, calm sanctuary will naturally appeal. These people could be making impulsive, life changing decisions while in a weakened mental state. This seems more like a tactic used by a religious cult than one of the major, venerable, global religions. It also seems a bit desperate. A quick, accessible fix.
If a religion wants to earn respect and include the 'right' people into its community, there has to be a more responsible way. This is the blatant commoditisation of god.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
21 hour working week (New Economics Foundation: NEF)
The New Economics Foundation (NEF) has just released a paper stating that a 21 hour working week is 'set to become the new norm'. According to the NEF "...so many of us live to work, work to earn, and earn to consume. And our consumption habits are squandering the earth’s natural resources... Spending less time in paid work could help us to break this pattern. We’d have more time to be better parents, better citizens, better carers and better neighbours. And we could even become better employees: less stressed, more in control, happier in our jobs and more productive. It is time to break the power of the old industrial clock, take back our lives and work for a sustainable future.”
http://neweconomics.org/press-releases/shorter-working-week-soon-inevitable-forecasts-think-tank130210
This is inspirational. That said, Isiah Berlin famously wrote "few new truths have ever won their way against the resistance of established ideas save by being overstated". Perhaps the paper by the NEF is trying to do something along these lines. I don't know many people who could handle a 50% pay cut - but then the principle is that wealth is spread and individual people are given the chance to focus on the pressing the matters stated above. The benefit is to society as a whole.
The important point is that an influential Think Tank has taken a stance on something (strangely) controversial that, if followed, could have major ramifications. I admire the principle and will follow the ensuing discussions with interest.
http://neweconomics.org/press-releases/shorter-working-week-soon-inevitable-forecasts-think-tank130210
This is inspirational. That said, Isiah Berlin famously wrote "few new truths have ever won their way against the resistance of established ideas save by being overstated". Perhaps the paper by the NEF is trying to do something along these lines. I don't know many people who could handle a 50% pay cut - but then the principle is that wealth is spread and individual people are given the chance to focus on the pressing the matters stated above. The benefit is to society as a whole.
The important point is that an influential Think Tank has taken a stance on something (strangely) controversial that, if followed, could have major ramifications. I admire the principle and will follow the ensuing discussions with interest.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Freedom of speech
"How absurd men are! They never use the liberties they have, they demand those they do not have. They have freedom of thought, they demand freedom of speech."
Soren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) is regarded as the Father of Existentialism. In this quote he talks about our lack of self awareness and inability to use what we have to hand - on both practical and profound levels. Interestingly, he talks about freedom of speech. Freedom of speech is something that the democratic Nations laud as a defining feature of their governance. Yet are we not often constrained when faced with disagreement? Politically, in the work place, in all forms of relationship? The internet has helped give a billion people a voice but still we are constrained.
So how can freedom of thought be turned into actionable outcomes that change our surroundings? Do we have a responsibility to notice situations where speaking is not proper then take action in an appropriate way? Should we always mitigate our language and style? Alternatively, should we search for an outlet where we are joined by people with a common understanding, where our speech - the articulation of our thoughts - is acceptable and catalyses progressive thinking?
Sadly, Kierkegaard's edict is all too intrinsic to human nature and the structures that confine acceptable behaviour. But we have a responsibility to ourselves - to take a stance and be consistent to our beliefs. His declaration relates to people oppressed by a situation yet modern idealism teaches us to express ourselves. We therefore have a choice and it seems that it comes down to our desire for freedom. If we remain in our boxes, the air will fester and we will suffocate. If we are brave we will be free but we must be prepared to take responsibility for our actions and the consequences thereof. Maybe bravery is absurd. Then sensible is inert.
Soren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) is regarded as the Father of Existentialism. In this quote he talks about our lack of self awareness and inability to use what we have to hand - on both practical and profound levels. Interestingly, he talks about freedom of speech. Freedom of speech is something that the democratic Nations laud as a defining feature of their governance. Yet are we not often constrained when faced with disagreement? Politically, in the work place, in all forms of relationship? The internet has helped give a billion people a voice but still we are constrained.
So how can freedom of thought be turned into actionable outcomes that change our surroundings? Do we have a responsibility to notice situations where speaking is not proper then take action in an appropriate way? Should we always mitigate our language and style? Alternatively, should we search for an outlet where we are joined by people with a common understanding, where our speech - the articulation of our thoughts - is acceptable and catalyses progressive thinking?
Sadly, Kierkegaard's edict is all too intrinsic to human nature and the structures that confine acceptable behaviour. But we have a responsibility to ourselves - to take a stance and be consistent to our beliefs. His declaration relates to people oppressed by a situation yet modern idealism teaches us to express ourselves. We therefore have a choice and it seems that it comes down to our desire for freedom. If we remain in our boxes, the air will fester and we will suffocate. If we are brave we will be free but we must be prepared to take responsibility for our actions and the consequences thereof. Maybe bravery is absurd. Then sensible is inert.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Racist? Sexist?
Are we really as balanced and considered as we like to think? Is our thinking process truly rational? Do we have valid defences to our reasoning?
Project Implicit uses the Implicit Association Test to scientifically demonstrate our unconscious prejudiced associations. Gender, race, religion etc.
https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/
It is controversial - the data says what it says. We exist in a society of 'equal opportunities' but is this how our minds really work.
Take the tests and challenge your thinking.
Project Implicit uses the Implicit Association Test to scientifically demonstrate our unconscious prejudiced associations. Gender, race, religion etc.
https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/
It is controversial - the data says what it says. We exist in a society of 'equal opportunities' but is this how our minds really work.
Take the tests and challenge your thinking.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
One young world
One Young World is an organization that aims to be the voice of young people around the world on critical international issues such as the environment, health and interfaith engagement. Next week they are holding their inaugural summit in London and are expecting 1500 delegates from 192 countries to attend and debate the major socio-political issues we face today. The counsellors include Kofi Annan, Bob Geldof and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
As people say, if you want to know what tomorrow will be like, ask kids. Now, more than ever, everyone can have a voice - next week, One Young World will be the forum for collaboration and unhindered creativity, the place to debate world issues and move our thinking one step forward. This is about bringing people together who are passionate about the world, under the auspices of established world leaders, who are interested in the thoughts and opinions of those closest to the volatile changes that underpin the way society works – on a global scale.
http://www.oneyoungworld.com/
By the end of February, 1500 people will have helped to influence the future direction for the world and will continue to do so through their evolving thoughts and actions.
This is a truly remarkable organisation.
As people say, if you want to know what tomorrow will be like, ask kids. Now, more than ever, everyone can have a voice - next week, One Young World will be the forum for collaboration and unhindered creativity, the place to debate world issues and move our thinking one step forward. This is about bringing people together who are passionate about the world, under the auspices of established world leaders, who are interested in the thoughts and opinions of those closest to the volatile changes that underpin the way society works – on a global scale.
http://www.oneyoungworld.com/
By the end of February, 1500 people will have helped to influence the future direction for the world and will continue to do so through their evolving thoughts and actions.
This is a truly remarkable organisation.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Positive psychology
Why settle for 'ok' when you can have 'great'?
Martin Seligman was the President of the American Psychological Association in 1998 and made the theme of positive psychology the basis for his tenure. Positive psychology is the study of optimal human functioning and challenges psychology's historical emphasis on the study of mental illness rather than on mental wellness. Traditionally, psychologists worked according to the disease model eg. curing schizophrenia. But what about nurturing genius and talent?
There are three features to the positive psychology model. These are 1) enjoyment 2) engagement and 3) affiliation. By understanding these three components, it gives us the opportunity to see how they are currently relevant to our lives. It also allows us to see how we can adapt our lives to achieve a 'positive psychology' state. We owe it to ourselves to understand this model and take responsibility for our own mental wellness. This way, we get the most out of life and are happier. This way we each play our role in building a happier community.
Martin Seligman was the President of the American Psychological Association in 1998 and made the theme of positive psychology the basis for his tenure. Positive psychology is the study of optimal human functioning and challenges psychology's historical emphasis on the study of mental illness rather than on mental wellness. Traditionally, psychologists worked according to the disease model eg. curing schizophrenia. But what about nurturing genius and talent?
There are three features to the positive psychology model. These are 1) enjoyment 2) engagement and 3) affiliation. By understanding these three components, it gives us the opportunity to see how they are currently relevant to our lives. It also allows us to see how we can adapt our lives to achieve a 'positive psychology' state. We owe it to ourselves to understand this model and take responsibility for our own mental wellness. This way, we get the most out of life and are happier. This way we each play our role in building a happier community.
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