Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Workzine Issue 6

I had to write the editor's word for the latest issue of the workzine and I found myself doing several versions. I feel that they're engaging but then again I know people don't like reading such stuff so I just thought I would throw this one here since I have license to torment you with my meandering mind.

We're back again! It seems way too soon but as the old adage goes, time flies... I have just come to a certain realisation; the world is run by the middle and lower classes. Forget the idea that the ruling elite call all the shots, if the middle and lower classes all over the world woke up one morning and decided to sit down until say for example they received higher wages, the world would come to a standstill. I realise too that I am not the first to see this; all those who have led civil society movements in the past have instinctively known this. Ghandi, MLK, Su Kyi and all the others have embraced this knowledge. This knowledge however is beginning to make its way into our daily lives; perhaps the time will come when it becomes a natural part of us, the idea that each and every one of us matters will be held above many others. A certain lady, Elinor Ostrom, has just won the Nobel Memorial Prize for economics; she shares it with an Oliver E. Williamson but it is the first time a woman has won this prize since it was awarded forty years ago. She accepted the accolade with humility saying that while it was good to win the damn thing, she knew she was only the beginning. Perhaps one of you will aspire to this award.

Interestingly their work (done separately) challenges traditional beliefs regarding resource management, conflict resolution and the theory of firms and markets. It is a load of boring stuff for those not interested in the business of economics which leads me to something that's been bothering me for a while. How do you manage to keep your world small? How do you not give a damn about what happens elsewhere in the world? At the end of the day everything is tied together, you might think such things shouldn't matter to you but any analysis of world events and history will show you that everything's connected. I have become obsessed with the world and I fear that I might burn out or end up sad, bitter and lonely but I know that I will never stop wanting to know more. The beeb's motto is "Never Stop Asking" and I guess I will always be doing it till I drop dead.

6 comments:

Jq said...

So what is the workzine? ;)

Anonymous said...

"How do you manage to keep your world small? How do you not give a damn about what happens elsewhere in the world? At the end of the day everything is tied together, you might think such things shouldn't matter to you but any analysis of world events and history will show you that everything's connected."

True - there's an interconnection with everything,but allow me to make an honest observation, I will use my dear old grannie's teaching on cleanliness to drive my point. She always liked a clean kitchen and believe me you, other areas(living room, etc) were as clean as the kitchen.
She always said; Nana(not my real name), your a woman, even if you look neat and clean but if your kitchen is dirty then you have failed to keep clean.

We shall all decipher the statement in our own understanding but this still comes down to one thing; you,me and us.

We can not better the world when we have failed with vicinity more closests to us/were we live.

Its not that people do not care, but because you can not do anything about what happens in other places before making change around and with yourself. which sadly, we have failed but point fingers at who is wrong. What is done but not what should be done...its all personalised, equation should be 'you','me' and 'us'

zsamm said...

sadly -hw we manage to keep our worlds small- is not by choice but usually bse the most productive hours of our day are spent working, by the time u're done u want to just chill.plus the fact that since most ppple are struggling just to get by, the big picture can seem irrelevant
since i havent worked in a while, i'm trying to re-expand my world but its taking a monumental effort as i seem ti have forgotten how...kudos to u for inadvertently giving us world view expansion tips =D

zsamm said...

oh, and workzine rocks =D

Mufere said...

You can not keep your world small...without asking my permission, that is. You see, I run the world from my control room in Kiwatule. Configuring America 2 accept Obama, the narrowness to stay in hiding etc. So, friend what boon do you crave exactly?

Mufere said...

This phone was clearly manufactured without my permission. How the hell does "narrowness" replace "martians"?