From Blink by Malcolm Gladwell
We have, as human beings, a storytelling problem. We're a bit too quick to come up with explanations for things we don't really have an explanation for.
Too good and so true.
Not sure about you all, but I surely have this explanation problem.
Why don't we often just say "I don't know"?
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Doing The Right Thing
They say, we should always do the right thing - no matter in what state you are or in what circumstances you are. But it makes me wonder, is it really possible for someone who is not God, to always do the right thing day-in, day-out, 365 days a year, 7 days a week and 24 hours a day. Isn't this too much ideal - surreal?
Moreover, is it really possible for a human being to always correctly judge what is right and what is wrong all the time? Don't we all know that when pushed into a corner, into a tight spot, embroiled in bad times, we all human being have a tendency to think and act wrong. But there would still be people who would stand against the wind there - doing the right thing. But can they actually say that they were doing the right thing all the time. Not sure - maybe yes, maybe no.
Even when not pushed into any such situation, one should also ponder upon the fact that the parameters to define right and wrong change across the generations, ages, times, state of the mind and financial status. So, what is right for me in my teens could be wrong when I go beyond them. Also, who is going to define what is wrong and what is right. Are we, as human beings, developed enough to clearly define it? Aren't our definitions biased towards our likings.
But yes, we should always aim for "doing the right thing" at least from our own perspective. Now, that requires our perspective to be clear enough to gauge what is right and what is wrong. And that is the toughest part.
Moreover, is it really possible for a human being to always correctly judge what is right and what is wrong all the time? Don't we all know that when pushed into a corner, into a tight spot, embroiled in bad times, we all human being have a tendency to think and act wrong. But there would still be people who would stand against the wind there - doing the right thing. But can they actually say that they were doing the right thing all the time. Not sure - maybe yes, maybe no.
Even when not pushed into any such situation, one should also ponder upon the fact that the parameters to define right and wrong change across the generations, ages, times, state of the mind and financial status. So, what is right for me in my teens could be wrong when I go beyond them. Also, who is going to define what is wrong and what is right. Are we, as human beings, developed enough to clearly define it? Aren't our definitions biased towards our likings.
But yes, we should always aim for "doing the right thing" at least from our own perspective. Now, that requires our perspective to be clear enough to gauge what is right and what is wrong. And that is the toughest part.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Koshish Technology Center
If the reader of this blog remembers, there was an earlier post on my first visit to Koshish in Sep' 09. Some updates in this post about the Koshish school and its kids.
One of the major thing has been conceptualization and establishment of a Koshish Technology Center, a computer oriented learning center as a joint effort of NIIT Affirmative Action and Home Of Hope, for Koshish kids. It just started with an idea and evolved as a computer based learning and development center.
Koshish Technology Center is established in Madanpur Khadar, near the Koshish school. It is a center open for all the kids of Koshish, where they can have hands on computers and learn english along other subjects in more technology oriented ways. The main goal behind setting this center is to get these kids exposed to technology to which they are otherwise not able to connect with and to help them excel in their studies and life.
The center is running for nearly 4 months now. It has a computer lab for kids and a audio-visual equipment equipped classroom for them as well. All the students visit the center twice a week to work on computers through the help of CBTs and to improve their studies.
For most of the kids, experience of working on a computer is overwhelming. They enjoy just working on it and do not want to be asked to do anything else :). It is really wonderful to see these kids being so excited about computers.
The idea is not just to expose them to computers and learn faster, the idea is to mentor them in a way that they feel more confident interacting with the outside world which is still “outside” to them. The journey has just begun. There will be learning in all directions – from KTC to Koshish and vice versa. The focus will be more diversified for kids now apart from their regular studies and examination results. The diversity will bring more interest in them towards the real world. The vision is very broad as of now – from computer education to overall development, and all stake holders are tied up together to materialize this vision and help excel our kids in their life.
This is still a work in progress as lots needs to be done for these kids to come par with children from other strata of the society but this is surely going to help their confidence and make them more engaged in their studies.
One of the major thing has been conceptualization and establishment of a Koshish Technology Center, a computer oriented learning center as a joint effort of NIIT Affirmative Action and Home Of Hope, for Koshish kids. It just started with an idea and evolved as a computer based learning and development center.
Koshish Technology Center is established in Madanpur Khadar, near the Koshish school. It is a center open for all the kids of Koshish, where they can have hands on computers and learn english along other subjects in more technology oriented ways. The main goal behind setting this center is to get these kids exposed to technology to which they are otherwise not able to connect with and to help them excel in their studies and life.
The center is running for nearly 4 months now. It has a computer lab for kids and a audio-visual equipment equipped classroom for them as well. All the students visit the center twice a week to work on computers through the help of CBTs and to improve their studies.
For most of the kids, experience of working on a computer is overwhelming. They enjoy just working on it and do not want to be asked to do anything else :). It is really wonderful to see these kids being so excited about computers.
The idea is not just to expose them to computers and learn faster, the idea is to mentor them in a way that they feel more confident interacting with the outside world which is still “outside” to them. The journey has just begun. There will be learning in all directions – from KTC to Koshish and vice versa. The focus will be more diversified for kids now apart from their regular studies and examination results. The diversity will bring more interest in them towards the real world. The vision is very broad as of now – from computer education to overall development, and all stake holders are tied up together to materialize this vision and help excel our kids in their life.
This is still a work in progress as lots needs to be done for these kids to come par with children from other strata of the society but this is surely going to help their confidence and make them more engaged in their studies.
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