In today’s society, the systems we have designed, from education to the economy, are often inadvertently stifling the hopes and dreams of individuals and societies. This blog post explores how various systems are, in essence, killing the lives and expectations of many.
Education System: A Salient Assassin?
Our education system, which is supposed to be a beacon of hope and a pathway to success, often ends up being the opposite. In Nepal, both rich and poor parents face two critical challenges: choosing the right school for their children and meeting the demands of that school. These challenges lead parents to sacrifice their own desires and interests, killing their values and expectations.
A poignant example is a boy from Western Nepal who moves to Kathmandu, believing that a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree will guarantee lifelong prosperity. His parents sell everything they own, amounting to Rs 1.2 million (around $9,000), to fund his education. However, after completing his degree and spending two years searching for a job, he finds himself without employment and with his expectations, as well as those of his family, completely shattered.
Meritocracy: The Death of Originality and Creativity?
Organizations advocate for a system of meritocracy based on academic grades, training certificates, and published articles, all seen as indicators of success. While these indicators are valued, they often kill originality and creativity. The quality of these achievements is often dictated by others, leading to a loss of individuality. We rarely acknowledge that these indicators are others’ choices. Plagiarism becomes common as originality loses its glory, and those who strive for creativity find themselves constrained by set formats that stifle innovation. Originality wanes as conformity prevails. Set formats kill creativity. Leading journals are preventing a free flow of writing!
Free Market Economy: Killing of the Weaker?
The free market economy, hailed for fostering competition, often benefits the stronger while killing the aspirations of the weaker. Big businesses dominate, killing smaller enterprises. Multinational companies products are reaching to remote areas, and replaced the products based on the indigenous knowledge, skills, and resources (IKSaR). Even in organizational hierarchies, the best performers get promotion and overshadow their peers by killing their aspirations and harmony. This environment not only kills individual expectations but also erode collective growth and harmony.
Religious Systems: A Dividing Force?
Religious systems impose rigid definitions of what is good and bad, right and wrong. Different religions have conflicting beliefs, with each trying to assert its superiority. This often leads to followers of one religion being ready to eliminate those of another, even to the extent of sacrificing their own lives. The value preferences of Taliban, Israel and Palestine conflicts are a few reflections of the killing and sacrificing lives. Such religious conflicts kill the essence of coexistence and mutual respect.
Political Systems: A Power Struggle?
Political systems, designed to represent the choice of the people, often end up being about survival and/or prosperity of the winner. Democracy is touted as the best system, but true choice exists only when there are viable options. Once someone is selected, they strive for superiority, leading to conflicts between ideologies like capitalism and communism. There is struggle of values and choices of one over the others. The conflict between NATO countries and Russia, Ukraine wars, Taiwan straits are a few reflections of political systems. One can guess a limitless killings in favor of conflicting political systems and value preferences. The quest for political supremacy often results in the killing of the opposing ideology.
Advancements and Experimentations: A Double-Edged Sword?
Advancements in science and technology, whether physical or digital, often lead to destruction. From killing viruses and bacteria to developing intercontinental ballistic missiles and artificial intelligence in warfare, our innovations often serve to kill. Both terrorism and counter-terrorism are aimed at eliminating the other, reflecting a cycle of violence. Use of passenger planes in the 9/11 terrorist attacks was not an ordinary one. The test of new weapons by rich and powerful countries is a clear indication of intended killing and destructions.
A Call for Change
Is it possible to transform our systems, practices, and advancements to focus solely on saving rather than killing? This is a question that challenges us to rethink our approach and strive for a world where creativity, harmony, and mutual respect prevail.
This reflection on our systems invites us to consider how we can shift from a mindset of competition and destruction to one of preservation and collaboration. By addressing the fundamental flaws in our designs, we can hope to create a more equitable and peaceful world.
Would you like to add any specific points or examples to further strengthen the blog post?