I
think the RSA-Animated talk is titled 21st Century Enlightenment because it
takes a modest approach at developing an understanding that we are bigger than
ourselves, our values or lack thereof, and our politics. The world has essentially
placed a harness on itself, which often feels like a muzzle, that limits the
potential for individuals to act out of “empathetic recourse” as stated by
Matthew Taylor throughout the video (Taylor, 2010). Thus, Taylor (2010) had
ascertained that powerful new insights into human nature expressed an explicit
ideals that the individual would be remised to attain.
Matthew Taylor meant that in 21st
century enlightenment would take on a more “self-aware, socially embedded,
model of autonomy” when he said "to live differently, you have to think
differently" (Taylor, 2010). This predicated of that facts human beings
operate relatively ignorantly with long-term decision making due to the
reliance of automatic systems and limited conscience thought (Taylor, 2010). This
is complex yet simple. In relation to the individual it boils down to how
Taylor elaborated on the simplistic nature about happiness, “If you are
unhappy, don’t read a self-help book, just have happier friends” (Taylor,
2010).
At one point in the video (4:10),
Taylor argues that we need "to resist our tendencies to make right or true
that which is merely familiar and wrong or false that which is only strange."
What he expressed is that individuals within society need to have a “relationship
to our own actions rather than be captive of them” (Taylor, 2010). This further
reflected on as having a vested interest in what is going on around you, in
your community, society, and the collective world. An example within my company is best summarized by another
quote I lobby from time to time whereas “one can’t see the forest through the trees.”
Expressing the absence of a simplistic view point to see what’s going on around
them.
Taylor argues that our society
should eschew elements of pop culture that degrade people and that we should
spend more time looking into what develops empathetic citizens. However, I do
not think this will be possible due to the selfish nature of individuals. The
goal, although noble, would be utterly impossible to shift the focus to a “healthy
public disagreement rather public disparagement” (Taylor, 2010).
I will take a lot away from this
exercise for immediate use in my career. First and foremost, I‘ve reflected on fact
that happiness is simple, don’t over think it. Second, as an individual, I am a
part of the whole. Third, 21st century enlightenment also calls for
us to see past the simplest ideals of “freedom, justice, and progress” and to embrace
a collective society that fosters empathetic ideals.
Taylor,
M. (2010, August 19). RSA Animate - 21st Century Enlightenment [Video file].
Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AC7ANGMy0yo&feature=youtu.be
No comments:
Post a Comment