During this period of downtime for some and frantic work for others, what are the chances that we will learn something useful from this virus "experience" we are living with now.
For those not working, did you read anything of interest, did you maybe buy a book, did you maybe spend a bit of time to think or research any subject of interest?
Sadly I hope in vain, as all the above is often a bridge too far. No matter how busy or not people are, unless you are a reader, nothing much will motivate you to read a book.
However one has to stay hopeful and assume that at least some people have taken the time to partake of some positive activities, and these might just possibly result in a few changes.
I specifically exclude the large organisations from this very idea of learning anything, as that is hoping for far too much. I will provide an example to illustrate the point as we might learn something from them.
Yesterday I watched a report on some news channel, about the call centre jobs Telstra ( my most favourite supplier ) has created in Australia. A spokesperson ( pc - as I may not mention that it was a lady, or whatever we now have to call people of that apparent gender ) stated that they advertised 2,000 jobs and had 22,000 applications.
They reporters also interviewed some of the new staff, who were all very positive and reported the great response they get from customers, when they realise they are talking to somebody in Australia, instead of some overseas person.
The spokesperson then explained that they had to close down their Asian call centre due to the virus, but later added that once this is resolved the call centre will be relocated back to Asia.
What an inspiration, how motivating for the "new" employees.
They have a reputation for treating their customers poorly, but now they get loads of positive feedback from interactions with the local call centre.
Their focus is already on moving the call centre out of the country again, removing 2,000 jobs and reverting to their previous dreadful service.
Outcome = They have learnt nothing, because they are not a learning organisation, they are a bottom line noworganisation.
It is a fact that the world will look different when this is all over, but how much have we changed. Have we considered what we will be doing differently?
What about our politicians, who can mostly barely find a chair to park their arse on?
Will they now realise that things will have to be done differently, somehow I doubt that we will see any dramatic change from them.
It will be up to us to get smarter and to find alternatives, as we move forward.
Most importantly is up to us to demand leadership and accountability from our organisational and government leaders.
If you stay silent, sit back and do nothing, you will be part of the problem.
To conclude here is a bit of food for thought, dating back to 2014-
Our primary source of information is the mainstream media, newspapers and Television, all trying to get maximum eyeballs on their offering.
Then we have social media, in most cases this source is a few rungs below the MSM.
How do we make sense of opinions from talking heads, who knows zero on the subjects they speak about, or the "experts" who appear to get it wrong more often than they get it right.
My grandson will tell you that once somebody tells a lie, you can never trust them again.
If anybody hides information, as all levels of governance are inclined to do, how can we trust them with anything they claim or state as "fact".
There is a section in the Right To Information Act that hints at the truth behind the act, It is amazing how the names they give these laws and regulations, are always the opposite of what it really is.
Here is the section I am referring to :
Once again our friend George Orwell makes an appearance in the form of this clause in the RTI legislation
No, you did not miss-read that, but read it again and try to figure out an example for yourself. If you manage to do so, please let me know.
How this oxymoron and "doublethink" could have passed into legislation is beyond belief, but maybe we are just not smart enough to understand the massive significance of these few words. If however this is viewed as just another mechanism to withhold information it would make perfect sense.
A large part of our problem is to figure out when our leaders are telling the truth, and the occassions for this rare event, is reducing, worldwide.
Here, for your consideration, an example from the recent "Press Freedom Day" and they wonder why they rank lower than drain cleaner on every index relating to Trust and Integrity.
This "problem" only has one answer, imho.
Open our minds, learn, research the authors of information and become a good detective. Permanently "mark" politicians in your mind, when you catch them telling lies and dont vote for them again.
Deliberately and actively, manage what we let into our minds and allow to flavour our opinions.
It is up to us to filter the information we let in, and my grandson will tell you that "an open mind lets in the light and stimulates the imagination, while a closed mind hides in the dark with its hands over its ears."
>End
 "Philip Smith")
Author:Philip Smith| Tags:Think |