Week 2 - Global Dominance and Human Development

This week we had an interesting session dealing with Global Dominance and Human Development as well as some thought-provoking presentations on Google, Genetic Engineering and Immortality.

We discussed different types of Global Dominance:

• Social (current trends, fashion, social networking, etc.),
• Cultural (Pop culture, Hollywood),
• Economic (India, China and USA),
• Industrial (China – the world’s manufacturing hub),
• Military (USA and Israel),
• Information (USA’s media empire)     

Subsequently, Prof Shahi showed us his Organizational Behavior Model for Identifying Innovation Leaders and Dominant Players. I was fascinated by the truth and simplicity it held; it highlighted that in order to dominate, a player had to have an open outlook, a positive attitude, the hunger to learn as well as the will to invest in new ideas. Exhibiting these qualities has been vital for the success of world-class firms like Apple and America itself. This applies to us all as individuals who seek to realize our potentials in this competitive world. Therefore, I have decided to paste this model on my wall to serve as a reminder of what it takes to be a “Rising Star” and to avoid becoming a complacent “Falling Star” once successful.

The first presentation raised the issue that “Google is making us stupid”. I strongly believe that Google and search engines as a whole have exponentially increased the human race’s ability to access and exchange powerful knowledge. This has allowed us to be more informed about our interests as well as have superior understanding of concepts which we would never have been able to attain otherwise. Personally, I find Google to be an indispensable tool with which I can skim through billions of libraries of information within milliseconds and harness valuable knowledge with just a few clicks. Therefore, I would say that Google has made us anything but “stupid”. As for us becoming the “same” due to Google, I disagree with this totally because I feel that Google has allowed us to explore our individual interests to a far greater extent and hence has made us more knowledgeable in them but no less distinct.  

The second presentation touched on the moral implications in parents’ Genetic Modification of their children. It was interesting to hear the different opinions of people on whether this was justifiable. Some argued that it would be beneficial, as parents could give their children the best abilities. On the other hand, some argued that such modification would be against the will of the child and hence would be unfair. I feel that the use of such technology should be discouraged for two reasons. Firstly, it would create further inequality between the rich and poor; the barrier-breaking qualities the poor can rely on to become rich, intelligence and effort, would be nullified if only the rich had access to this genetic treatment, thus leading to a vicious cycle. Secondly, throughout history, whenever man has tried too hard to defy nature, things have gone terribly wrong.  This technology might only be feasible if extremely stringent laws are put in place to counter the unscrupulous demands of humans driven by greed.    

We also had an engaging discussion about Immortality and I was intrigued to see where our class drew the line between man and machine such as the ability to have free will, imagination, love and emotions. 

I look forward to having discussions about future technological trends and where the knowledge-based economies of this world are heading.

I'd give this session a 9/10.