tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392447257612709913.post68298416515483649..comments2024-03-28T10:58:05.404+05:30Comments on THE READING ROOM: Is this criticism of Gen Next fair?Ramesh Prabhuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16678034444539598327noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392447257612709913.post-84785829830874716432011-10-28T17:35:18.362+05:302011-10-28T17:35:18.362+05:30Ask the people of Egypt which side they are on...
...Ask the people of Egypt which side they are on...<br />Ask Mr Rahul Gandhi who he thinks form the foundation of the INC. For that matter, ask a certain Mohan Bhagwat what the ABVP means to right-wing politics in India...<br />Ask the Yankees who they prefer to brain-drain...<br /><br />I'm quite sure this generation-bashing has been faced by earlier generations too. May be, in different forms. But here they are, and India is still shining, more than ever... So, is it a vengeance of sorts?<br /><br />And, a word of caution at the end... Don't dare Gen-Y... Certainly, we don't want another London riot right in the heart of India... <br />Do we?puhblowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06121337404391549241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392447257612709913.post-22812180856943948612011-10-28T11:32:58.054+05:302011-10-28T11:32:58.054+05:30I understand exactly what she meant here: "Yo...I understand exactly what she meant here: "You cannot make up your mind, NDTV and CNN-IBN do that for you."<br /><br />However, I don't think she explored enough here. I think the real question is: WHY are people, both young and old, refusing to think for themselves? This is at the core of many of our problems. I know of a few people, artists and musicians, besides me, exploring this problem.<br /><br />People lose sight of this core problem. They forget that, ultimately, we are mortal... You will not remember how much money you made on your deathbed. You will, perhaps, remember how many people you made happy, your happiest moments, all that you love. People lose sight of this for many reasons... Understanding this<br />will lead to a strong set of core values. What we lack is value-based judgement, value-driven arguments, and a value-driven society.<br /><br />Blind commercialism, unethical use of media, propagation of religious difference, promotion of consumerism, stereotypical mindsets, blindly conforming to social norms... These are diseases that plague our society, both young and old. These are some reasons why people have clouded, irrational opinions which are easy to manipulate because they are opinions not arising from a strong base of values. They are opinions arising from what we have termed as conformist.<br /><br />How are students addressing these issues? How are journalists addressing these issues? Why can't everybody ask intelligent, objective, direct questions? There is so much communication that most people find it difficult to understand what is relevant to the development of their community.<br /><br />Independent, critical thinking is a mark of strong character. What students want from life, and the drive to achieve what they want, will be far easier to find for somebody who has been taught to think critically and independently. From my understanding, it is conditioning, what you referred to as "the system", that discourages independent thinking. There are many other factors, of course.<br /><br />Rito Paul and Kandasamy must understand the role journalism is supposed to play and act responsibly. Here they seem very erratic and impulsive...<br />"Sometimes, I am afraid that I am you."<br />Instead of a self-righteous stand, maybe intelligent journalists like Kandasamy should encourage independent thinking through her profession? She trivialised the issue by making it personal.<br />After all, isn't journalism *supposed* to be objective. Why lose sight of the truth?Varunhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12632162105177919266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392447257612709913.post-67224324904266244992011-10-27T11:48:56.014+05:302011-10-27T11:48:56.014+05:30I don't think one comment can sum all that I w...I don't think one comment can sum all that I want to say. I part agree with both. I do agree that dedication and passion to excel is missing but I also agree that given the right training this generation has massive potential. <br /><br />Coming to the cover page, I don't think the intention is so much to say that this generation is awesome. "Awesome" is the general description of anything this generation likes/appreciates. I remember my principal in Loreto would exclaim, "I thought only God could be awesome!"Ankanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02606533632165830513noreply@blogger.com