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24.04.2014 Feature Article

The Ignorant And The Enlightened…An Increasing Unbridgeable Chasm Courtesy Attitudes

The Ignorant And The EnlightenedAn Increasing Unbridgeable Chasm Courtesy Attitudes
24.04.2014 LISTEN

It is common knowledge that darkness connotes evil, retrogression, frustration and all other negative tendencies one can ever think of. This is due to the fact that most detestable acts happen under the cover of darkness, which is perceived to be a perfect cloak and façade to hide those acts. Following from this, whoever is in darkness is perceived to be retrogressive, and is yet to come to terms with the truism that nothing good can come out of obscurity, a uniquely noticeable attribute of darkness.

The Ignorant dwells in darkness. Unaware, Uninformed, Ill-informed, Unfamiliar, Oblivious, Unconscious, Unknowing, etc. are all perfect substitutes (synonyms) for Ignorant. The ignorant believe in maintaining existing routines and are unreceptive to new ideas and criticisms. They're comfortable with the way things are and feel threatened by change. Being risk averse is a major characteristic of the ignorant, who play it safe by staying in their comfort zone.

Light is darkness' foe. The two don't get together. One comes to take the other away. The presence of light brings clarity and clarification, brilliance, brightness, radiance, lighting, enlightenment and all the great things that signify glowing. One that dwells in light and seeks its face in all endeavours is said to be enlightened. The synonym of enlightened that sinks deep into my being is informed. The informed are the knowledgeable and wise-they understand the times and use their understanding to engender innovation and creativity and positively change their environment, hence bringing glow and illumination. The enlightened are those who question the status quo and disagree with the accepted dogmas which are several generations old. They embrace new ways and methods and try to venture into virgin areas which are unexplored. The enlightened are risk-takers, or at worst risk managers.

Advances in technology (especially ICT), telecommunications and transportation have made the world more accessible and closely-knit. There is international integration and the world has become a global village. What affects one part of the world, most likely affects another, the 'butterfly effect' they call it. Globalization has removed virtually all barriers hitherto existent, and today, one can rightly say “we are in a world without borders”. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. puts it, “we are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny”. Almost all disconnects have been reconnected and broken pieces mended. We can no longer afford to live as a people and country in a state of seclusion. Barriers to trade, movement of persons, ideas and information are virtually non-existent. Today, one can sit in a cottage in Africa and buy goods from US, Canada, Europe, Asia, etc. and have them delivered to his doorsteps, all by the power of the internet and the world wide web. A child with a dream of having quality education can have one sitting at home, learning from distant shores. Today, businessmen can hold meetings with clients and partners at different locations worldwide, without having to be present at a central location, courtesy teleconferencing. The world has changed, and we must change with it.

Globalization as a result of advances in technology, telecommunications and transportation has brought its own disadvantages, as there are almost always two sides to a coin. Security threats, threats to livelihoods, etc. know no barriers today, all owing to globalization. However, as to whether or not globalization has brought more merits than demerits is an argument for another time.

In as much as globalization has brought enlightenment and progress to the world, this progress in itself has deepened the divide between two groups: the ignorant and the enlightened. From antiquity to today, there has always been these two categories of people: one segment that accepts things as they are, are resistant to change, don't keep themselves informed and are far from the realities of today and the future; and the other segment who are visionaries, seek positive change, are abreast with the times and know that we cannot continue doing the old things the old way and expect different results. Well, a choice has to be made by all and sundry; either to be part of the first segmentation or the second. It is a choice that everyone has to make.

While the ignorant tell themselves that they have to go to school, get good grades and secure a good job, the enlightened implore themselves to go to school, learn for life, own businesses, employ others and change lives positively. While the ignorant advise themselves to learn things only related to their fields of study, the enlightened are masters of their trade and learn other valuable things which are not necessarily related to their fields and are multi-tasking experts.

There are those who believe that their mother tongue or the only official language they know is enough, while others have realized that in today's competitive and dynamic world, being a bilingual or multilingual pays off. For some, their current business location is so strategic that there is no need exploring other places, while some have come to terms with the opportunities the internet has come to offer in terms of online businesses. While most people think that waking up and going to a central office, hence caught in the eight to five rat race is the best way to go, some are busy working at their homes or anywhere they find themselves, courtesy their mobile workstations.

For most people, owning perceived assets (usually liabilities) which rather instigate them to make more expenses puts them on top of the world, whilst the enlightened minority busily invests in assets that generate incomes and positive cash flows. The ignorant parent tells a child you're too young to start your own business, whilst the enlightened parent encourages the child to go all out and create as many businesses as he can at whatever age. The difference is clear, especially in paradigm and actions.

Whichever way you look at it, the fast pace of globalization, with its own enlightenment is creating at a very terrific pace an unbridgeable chasm between the ignorant and the enlightened. Be it the affluent and impoverished, the educated and non-educated, literate and illiterate, free and fettered, have and have-nots, employers and employees, victors and vanquished; the gap is widening second by second, minute by minute, hour by hour and day by day.

Now, it should be very clear that the gap exists because of the attitudes of the ignorant segment. The times have changed, and old dogmas can no longer hold. The ignorant should keep themselves informed, else they'll perish; they should open up to new ideas and challenge existing norms, else they'll be extinct; they should use the power of their imagination for creativity, else they'll be a danger to themselves; and finally, they should unlearn their old notes, embrace new mindsets and follow the path of the enlightened, else, the world will never know they once existed.


Paul Edem Kuenyefu Is An Entrepreneur, Development Enthusiast And Motivational Speaker. He Is The Author Of 'TO THE ZENITH', A Motivational Piece.

Mobile #: +233 246 585357

Email: pedem99[at]gmail[dot] com

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