Brief Overview/Summary:
In today’s session, we once again covered two topics. Technology and Industrial Development: Moving Towards Sustainable Development. Technology and Innovation Management. In fact the connection between this two topics are so strong that it could actually be linked into one major topic.
Interesting Observation and
Ideas:
In the beginning of the lecture,
Prof showed us a video, ‘The Story of Stuff’. It mentions that in today’s
world, many products are toxic contaminated. Over a 100,000 synthetic chemicals
are being used in commerce and manufacture today, but only a handful have been tested
for health impacts and NONE have been tested for synergistic health impacts. This
just shows one thing. People in the world take what are being offered to them
for granted. We, an intellectual species that have evolved over millions of
years, are not questioning the basic assumptions in the world. We just assume
that the company has done their best to manufacture the product for us. Do we
question their methods? Human beings have to start questioning the process or steps
taken by companies worldwide. Being proactive is key in moving towards
sustainable development.
What is the result of sustainable
development? Prof mentioned that it means people today can maximize their
options without limiting the options of people in the future. I agree with Prof
that it means not limiting the options of the future generations. However, I feel
that for that to happen we have to tweak our options at the present moment. In
fact, we may have to limit them due to the devastating impacts that we have
brought about so far. Our option on the usage of natural resources has been minimized.
We have to look to new environmental friendly resources. If we continue to maximize
our option of natural resources, there would not be any left in the near
future. Hence, we have to create new options and shy away from the old ones.
Is the population of Singapore
innovative? A question I am sure many of us would love to share our views on.
Yes, the population of Singapore is innovative, but we are not given the right amount
of opportunities to develop our vision locally. I feel that what some mentioned
in class, it is partly due to our education system and culture that inhibits
our innovative tendencies, true. From young we are told never to fail, that
failure is bad. Success is what we have to achieve. This mindset that has been
cultivated into Singaporeans is a huge inhibitor to our innovation process. We
are afraid to try, we are afraid to fail. With all due respect to the Singapore
government, I feel that encouraging innovation is one area in which it can
really improve on.
Key Takeaway Points:
1)
Innovation
is of paramount importance to bring about sustainable development.
2) Imitation is not only all bad, in fact it has a plus side. Imitation is a distinct habit in the history of innovation. It maximises the potential of ideas. This is because when someone imitates an idea he tries to make it better, hence he develops the idea further.
3)
Sustainable development is the
result of efforts made by people, by humans. We as human beings who are part of
this world have to put our best foot forward in order to achieve sustainable
development. It is not a question of whether it is achievable, it is a question
of how we are going to achieve it.
Maybe the link below to a video
might convince you to what I’m saying. It is definitely worth watching. Keep in
mind this occurred many years ago and look what we have done so far. Is it
enough?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQmz6Rbpnu0
Issue for further discussion:
1)
With regards to what was
discussed in session 3A. Third world countries have benefited from the
backward advantage and higher growth rates as compared to developing countries
in the past.
However, with higher growth does it imply more extensive consequences?
Are third world countries able to get out of the vicious ‘catch up’ cycle
they are in? Or will they comfortably sink into it, constantly embracing the
advantages of being backwards? (I have brought this up on the Facebook page
hoping for perspectives!)
2)
Why has the Singapore government
taken only small steps towards sustainable development?
Personal Rating:
I found today’s session very relevant to us, the future leaders of the world. In addition, we managed to balance the focus on both topics equally. I’ll give it a 8/10.
No comments:
Post a Comment