"Of all the communities available,
the society of the true seekers is the only one I want to devote myself to"
Albert Einstein
BRIEF DISCUSSION PAPER
titled
Information & Knowledge
and their relevance to life and living in general these days
(These philosophical views expressed are based on my perceptions of the sciences & faith)
Human Beings as individuals and also as members of various social groups (which might include families, workforces, local regional national & international organisations and ultimately a worldwide tribe) all rely on their individual perceptions of information and knowledge.
Information provides a basis for more valuable ‘knowledge’ and so the skills we need to acquire for life and living in general these days.
Knowledge is information that has practical application in decisions about ‘what to do’ and ‘how to do it’. With practice and persistence human beings can learn the skills to do ‘what is best’ and also ‘how to do it better’, ie, more effectively and more efficiently.
Such knowledge and informed decision making for many human beings can be the difference between survival, life and living OR dying and death.
Words (both written and spoken) are predominantly used to inform.
Selected words or values resonate with us to some degree as human beings.
We embrace those words or values that we like to associate with ourselves.
These words or values become the basis for the thoughts and feelings or perceptions that underpin our attitudes and beliefs. These perceptions are reflected in the aims, activities and habits which will result in our achievements.
The purpose or aim of our thoughts is often not that clear. For example, they may be to inform and share knowledge with other human beings in ways that will inspire, encourage or guide them through life and in ways for living in general.
These thoughts and values or words can be conveyed in writing and/or speech by a various people including authors, poets, musicians, artists, scientists, philosophers and leading politicians, economists and a variety of business people. Ideally these sources of information need to be credible, truthful and trustworthy.
Even so the words / values used may reflect their personal bias or disguise a hidden agenda.
Further these values maybe filtered or redacted by any intermediaries.
The values can also be distorted by the actual media (printed press, tv, radio, social & email) used to communicate them in the limited sense of just audio and / or visual without the smell of fear, the touch of silk or the taste of the wine.
Different media such as printed press, social media and email can be used to communicate with individuals, discrete social groups and the masses.
The way the information or words or values are conveyed and perceived are heavily dependent on the source of the information and the media used. The values being conveyed can be enhanced by design (font, shapes, symbols) and colours (that maybe bold and striking or subtle) plus any associated music (that can be relaxing and soothing or rousing).
Key people such as parents, academic teachers, trainers at work,
life coaches, business mentors and advisers or guides have a role (if not a responsibility) to inspire leaders (and their followers) with their encouragement and / or guidance based on the information and knowledge (or wisdom even) that they have acquired one way or another over the years.
Human beings throughout the world are entering a New Era post covid.
We can anticipate even more changes to our lives and many transformations in our ways of living. For example, a shift in terms of New Era values with less materialism, consumerism and capitalism and more citizenship based on a with a set of shared values as per any national constitution.
If these shifts to New Era values were to be made in the three priority areas that are social, economic and political they could result in more purposeful lives, more sustainable ways of living in general and more principled politics (based on a written national constitution).
These shifts in values need to be encouraged and guided by inspired philosophies for the New Era. Such philosophies must come directly from a growing number of blue - sky thinkers & writers AND indirectly via a growing number of likeminded ‘agents of change’ including ‘catalysts’ for life changes and ‘alchemists’ who will help many human beings to transform our ways of living in general these days.
In conclusion, I hope that the above provides a sound basis for some more discussion and debate during our next online forum.
MICHAEL ‘Holistic’ MARTIN
(740 words)
Our community includes a growing number of like minded fellows and soul searching students of life