Knowledge

Two blog readers reminded me today about my lack of posting in the last few weeks. Thanks James and Jerry!

According to Thomas Sowell in his book Basic Economics, knowledge is the most secrete resource there is. The book is about economics and well written. The gist of the book is about demystifying many of the misunderstandings of economics that abound. The author goes to great length pointing out the fallacies of the media and politicians when it comes to economics.

One particular area of interests to me is efficiency in organizations, not wasting recourses. This can be anything but in particular human talents. Sowell says that is what economics is all about. “Economics is the study of the use of scarce resources which have alternative uses” he says. But just like everything else economics is just one of many perspectives to look at life.

It would indeed help many of the undeveloped countries to raise the living standards of its individuals if the principles of economics where understood by the politicians and individuals in general. Even thought we in the western culture have high living standards it would also help to have a better understanding of economics. Not as much as to raise our living standards but at an intellectual level. A great deal of cynicism is the norm today in our western culture. It goes far and beyond understanding economics. Donald Kanter and Philip Mirvis in their book “The Cynical Americans” point out how different groups of people portray cynicism in different ways. One example of this how blue color workers compare to professionals individuals are cynical in different ways. The Oxford English Dictionary defines cynicism as "a disposition to disbelieve in the sincerity or goodness of human motives and actions" and "to express this by sneers and sarcasms".

It is now a fact that the intellect is not valued in our western culture and it is reflected in many ways. This holds huge implications in the corporate world and in management.