Session 10

Classes officially came to an end today and I feel that a very fitting question that we should try to answer so that we can take away something positive from this course is perhaps how can we come up with new an innovative ways to bring about change in this world? The key I feel is to be an open book. As Melinda Gates so perfectly put it, we have to learn from innovators from every sector. We have to adapt to changes as quickly as possible to that our vision of the future is not outdated and in these exponential times, it’s quite a challenge.

Jerry Lewis’ presentation today talked about the possible steps to eradicate poverty. While I still hold an air of skepticism, I don’t doubt people’s ability to reduce poverty. We live in a giving and charitable society. Once we experience giving and the way it makes us feel, we tend to carry on that trend because of the satisfaction it gives us. That’s what we need. We need people to take initiatives rather then the dependence on organizations as a whole. Look at Kiva.com. All it took was one visionary woman to make that change. She saw that it wasn’t money perse that these people were looking for but rather help. They wanted help so that in turn they can learn to help themselves. Sometimes we doubt the ability of people to be independent and that can be catastrophic. When we forget people can learn to be independent, we look to big organizations to solve the problem because we assume that people in poverty are looking for someone to depend on permanently rather then to learn from in the hopes that one day they can do it themselves.

My favorite quote of the whole course came today. “We should work back from the future rather then work from present to future”. It has totally changed my perception on life and how we should live it. It’s not a new concept. We’ve all heard it before for example, “begin with the end in mind”. However I suppose I took it for granted. I realize working back from the future allows you to constantly work at achieving your goals rather working to achieve your goals and that can make all the difference.

Overall, this course has thought me to not be burdened by barriers but be motivated by opportunities to make a difference in the world for we are not truly privileged until we have made a difference in the lives of people.

Session 9 Emerging and future technologies

Today’s session discussed the emerging and future technologies and it’s feasibilities. Future technologies can literally happen in any sector as was mentioned during class. However just because we have the ability to create these new technologies, is it necessary that we utilize it?

Nanotechnology and Cryonic technology used to resurrect the dead. Many people in the class feel that it is unnecessary as death is essentially a natural process of life and that we should not interfere with it. Of course there are many reasons why it is unnecessary. However the most valid one I feel is probably the ethical reasoning. Should we focus on bringing back people from the dead? Or should the money be better spent invested on improving the quality of life of the people who are living. It is more practical so ensure that we focus on technologies that help people live the best possible way with whatever time they have on earth rather then merely living up to an age of 500 simply because we found a way to ensure you never have to die. However one must admit that skepticism arises when we have yet to actually resurrect someone. When the time comes when we do, then we will be in a better position to weigh the pros and cons of having someone who lived in the 60’s to be living in the 21^st century while maintaining his youth.

Another topic discussed today was Nuclear Fusion and whether it’s the best form of alternative energy. We should definitely focus on it and put more emphasis on it because this is one form on energy that can essential solve our energy needs instead of having a few options like solar energy or wind generators. If we can successfully create as much energy as the sun then, then problems such as providing energy for a rising population or finding new forms of sustainable energy will become mute. Countries will also become more self sufficient in creating energy for its population and never have to worry about the lack of it thus facilitating progress. Hence why not focus on Nuclear Fusion? We can basically solve every energy related problem.

However something in the class really affected me, and which may not necessarily pertain to TWC directly but why would any man or woman for that matter want to fall in love with a ROBOT? Correct if I’m wrong but isn’t part of falling in love with someone related to chase and the mini dance you do when you try and court someone? It’s not possible to do that with a Robot that you program to focus on you. I don’t doubt that they will have the intelligence of human and certain emotions but there is one thing we cannot have with Robots and that is “chemistry”. That is just a personal opinion but one which I am almost certain our generation can relate to. However I wouldn’t be surprised in the age our children grow up it, falling in love with robots maybe a norm because it’s a societal norm.

Overall is was a good class, thought provoking and never ceasing to break my boundaries.

Session 8 Renewable energy

If there is one thing to take a way from today’s session is that the biggest barrier that hinders renewable energy from reaching its potential is cooperation. This is evident in the reading son vista as well as from the presentations today.

Reading 3 from vista states that energy policy makers have to consider many other factors and not solely on energy. For instance, the social impact, the economic impact among others. The problem here is that people are so focused on their own current needs that they forget the big picture and thus do not provide the appropriate concession for it. Below are some factors to explain my point:

- People only focus on investing in renewable energy if it will bring in profits in the long run for themselves. Therefore renewable energy becomes a business decision. So if we find a renewable energy source that it not profitable do we through away the idea? We might if we carry on with a business mindset.

- Governments and various organizations tend to see renewable energy as an alternative energy source. Yes 10 to 20 years ago that might have been the case. Not anymore. We have to change that mindset and realize that we have to eventually make renewable energy our only source of energy. A simple change of words from alternative to main energy source can make a difference.

- Minor barriers or excuses? Fossil fuels are cheaper alternatives. How long can we hide behind that excuse? Sustainable development is the only way we can carry on with our extensive energy consumption without resulting in end of the world situations. It is essential to change to these problems into opportunities to find ways to make renewable energy a cheaper solution, which there are many cases of.

What lessons can we take away from this? One is that we need to be more cooperative when it comes to moving renewable energy in the right direction, which is forward. Secondly, we need to change our mindset and realize that the future is now and that renewable energy is which was the solution for the future has become the solution for now.

I would rate this session an 8/10 because it brought about more insight the actual progress on renewable energy. Although things are being done, it is not nearly enough and we have to find ways to reach the maximum potential or renewable energy.

Session 7

I suppose I’m very narrow minded in my thinking and I should broaden my views and thoughts a little more. No matter what topic is being discussed or presented, I can only seem to focus on the human element more then the science or the technology. To simplify it, whenever someone talks about a particular topic, I immediately shift my focus to…. “Okay, this technology is out there, we have the capabilities. How can we use this to help the people who need it the most?” Because when it comes down to it, we should capitalize on these technological shifts to help people who we could not have helped before effectively.

Juvan was talking about how GM foods are everywhere whether we accept it or not. So why are there still Anti-GM groups against the whole idea? Looking ahead, the question shouldn’t be whether GM foods are good or bad for us now or in the long run. The question should be how can we carry on with the development or GM foods and at the same time find ways to eradicate the negative impacts that come with. We now have efficient solutions to solve poverty as well as allow people and countries to be more self- sufficient, so there is no reason why we should not capitalize on it.

Bandana’s presentation seemed to bring up the point, which has been around for the past couple of weeks. Can we find the balance between profit oriented and being socially responsible? It may not be an either or situation but neither is it a 50-50 one. From the presentation, Monsanto does not seem to be ethical in it’s practices but I do agree with the point that use when they are being sued. They are trying to solve one of the MDG. Being profit driven is what fuels you to constantly improve what you have so that it benefits more people and more effectively. This is exactly what you need to bring about change.

However I’m still sitting on the fence as I’m not too sure of myself. Does it solve the root problem of the MDG? We can only effectively eradicate problems such as poverty and starvation if we give people the tools to combat themselves rather then giving them a quick fix. Prevention is always better than cure. It’s a tricky thing to find the right balance. However it is not impossible.

I felt this class was a 7/10. Thought provoking and relatively easy to follow.

Session 6

Bio Business

Not to long ago, one of my uncle’s friends who worked at Microsoft and I were having a small talk and I asked him, are you guys worried about how Apple is catching up with you in terms of market power. His reply was short and sharp. He said that they at not so worried because the future of Microsoft is in the Healthcare sector and after seeing the video today… I guess he was right. During today’s discussion, there were 2 main points that are truly worth discussing. One, has the healthcare industry become a profiteering one? Has is lost sight of it’s main goal? Two, wellness management, is this the future of Healthcare?

On certain levels, the healthcare industry has become a profiteering one. How can it not? It’s essentially a business and a business can only survive if it’s profit margin is healthy. That’s the challenge we face in this day and age, to find that balance between helping people and making money. People under the poverty line can’t afford even basic healthcare, which is a human right. What happens to them? Even as a businessman I think it’s essential to realize that being socially responsible is important to. We live in a “We” culture not an “I” one therefore I agree that profiteering is vital for a business but let’s not forget that there are people out there who would use a helping hand. Let’s be there for them.

However at the same time, I’m quite optimistic that there will be a change in Corporate Social responsibility for the better. Why? When you do something good and you see the impact in has on those you helped, how do you feel? You feel like helping even more. You see this a lot in the big MNC’s now. Once they get into the habit of giving back to the community it’s hard to break that pattern. Plus, it shed’s a positive light on these companies as well.

On the topic of wellness management, I have a friend in yoga class and she is 60+ years old and she has not been to a doctor since she was 35. Why? She eat’s right and practices yoga everyday. I’m not saying living a healthy lifestyle will guarantee you a sickness free life but it will definitely decrease your chances of getting a disease.

Therefore wellness management should be the path that we should adopt. To educate ourselves on what must be done to achieve a truly healthy life. If we become dependant on liposuction to reduce obesity, yes we reduce obesity but that doesn’t mean we a less likely to have high cholesterol levels and a higher chance of heart disease. In terms of whether it will be adopted by the masses remains to be seen.

In conclusion, we are always in control of what we do. We do not have to have many resources to be resourceful. If you want your company to make a change in the lives of disease stricken children… you can. If you want to take control of your own well- being… you can.

Session 5

How time just goes by at the blink of an eye. It’s already week 5 even if it doesn’t quite feel like it. Today’s TWC session felt like it was sending me a message. So far the past four weeks my stand was more towards how technology is not as marvelous a thing that people make it to be. However I stand corrected. It is.

I feel somewhat more optimistic about the future and what technology can bring to the masses, especially the developing world. This ties to one of the readings that I read about how ICT can play an important role in the MDG and I agree with it to a large extent. As Prof. Shahi was saying, technology should be a human right as we move towards a knowledge bases revolution.

The reason why what the Prof said about technology being a human right affected me was mainly because I strongly believe that every child on this earth deserves a chance to make a comfortable living for himself and for his future family and society. Technology has improved so much over recent years that you do not need as much infrastructure as before to get technology such as computers to even the most rural of places. Sponsor a group of children a smart phone and install educational applications on it and he can now learn. You don’t always need a big computer to get the job done. “Leap Frogging” has been re-iterated in class many a times and I think it’s time we start acknowledging that.

A key takeaway here for me personally is that, with ICT we have a much better opportunity to accomplish our MDG’s as well as to close the gap between the developed, developing and the yet to develop countries of the world. All we need it the right attitude. Positive change is always one good deed away.

Daniel’s presentation, which discussed if education using technology would be harder because of all the distractions it comes with versus the use of print was a very intriguing one to say the least. I always thought that the distractions were my fault and not so much the technology or the internet’s fault. However after that presentation I must say I might be forced to reconsider my stand.

All this E-learning or online discussions and debates, blogs, facebook chats can appear to be a distraction itself. Yes it’s convenient, it’s always at your disposal. However we run the risk of pseudo communicating. Nothing beats a classroom environment where you talk and understand and link the person’s emotion to his/her idea. Or if you read a book where English matters as a language not just a way of getting your point across. My point is technology can offer you amazing forms of information but you might lose the personal touch of learning and understanding.

One can argue that it is up to the individual which I agree to a certain extent but children growing up in this day and age might become fully dependant on technology that they lose the art of focusing on learning rather then always multi-tasking. I must say I’m a victim of it as well.

In conclusion, resistance is futile. Embrace change and progress and see how it can help benefit the world and those who need it. At the same time, remember the importance of tried and tested methods as well. If it still is effective, don't be too quick to get rid of it because there are better options.

“Change is essentially up to the individual.” That was the key takeaway for me with regards to today’s session. It’s such a powerful phrase for me because it is often written off quickly because we brush of progress as something someone comes up with while we just simply jump on the bandwagon when the time comes. The topic today was the drivers of world change and managing it to it’s fullest potential so as to encompass all aspects of progress.

However it was the consumerism changes that come with technology that had a big impact on me. It occurred to me that essentially every industry today is now linked with the service industry because of the increasing number of competitors that each business has. What makes one online shopping portal better then the other? It’s not so much what they sell but rather what additional services they offer you that make the difference. Since the general consensus of the class (me included) is that a business can only be truly successful if it caters to the mainstream, how then does high-end retail outlets still manage to survive? The key is the additional service they provide. Take for example when you shop for Prada goods online, you can choose a selection of clothes and shoes that you like, just like any other store. However what set’s them apart is that after you order, they can have a personalized sales assistant to come to your house to help you accessorize and coordinate your clothes so that you look your absolute best with their product. Of course this comes with additional cost but the point is that they essentially cater to you own selfish needs rather then theirs so as to keep you attracted to their brand.

What this means is that globalization and technological advancements has helped break the Monopoly or Oligopoly of certain companies in certain industries, which has thus benefitted the consumers in terms of better and more personalized treatment as well as acceptable prices due to pricing competitions among businesses in the same industry. Of course this is only true to a certain extent but I think this seems to be the growing trend.

So something important that I think should be good for discussion is, since we as the consumers continue to have increasing power over companies and what they provide for us, how can we drive the change for companies to accelerate their shift towards sustainable development in an era where climate change and environmental problems are such pressing issues?