by Tzen Long Goh

Created on: May 31, 2008   Last Updated: October 29, 2008

Title: Transparency in society

Man does not need to be selfish anymore is this possible? Within a world that is chaotic yet ordered, how can we achieve such an ideal? This can perhaps be achieved with an unfettered mind.

Based on the idea that, thought, word and deed is governed by existing language systems, perhaps doing away with the negative aspects of social mores and conventions can be achieved with a rethinking and redesign of existing grammar structures.

New language systems may perhaps be based on 'keywords', such as nouns and adverbs. Prevailing language systems are governed by grammar systems that delineate class, sexuality and status, or perhaps even race. Now keywords can in a way be considered idealized nodes in which objects, systems or concepts in the physical world are defined.

Doing away with grammatical linkages would remove traces that define prevailing social norms, such as class orders, hierarchical systems, sexuality, and so on. Conceptual definitions such as time - whether past, present or future, would no longer play a major role in daily living.

Consider the possibility of a society where everyone can be as open as possible in the sharing of knowledge, or rather how to get there, from where we are now. The competitive instinct is fueled by the need to survival - survival of the fittest - or Darwinian Theory. So how can we evolve from that model to a new one - where the top layer of the hierarchy is also the kindest and most humane?

Now, it has been shown, perhaps that social oppression often produces the brightest and most capable people, i.e. artists, scientists, designers etc. and creativity flourishes in the most underdeveloped environments and communities. Once in 50 years perhaps, you get a mathematical genius emerging from the slums. Now there are the pure mathematical, literary and artistic geniuses, and the highly intelligent, who would become future leaders. But in an environment, where there are a lot of highly intelligent people, how do you foster openness and creativity?

One answer, perhaps, could be through genetics. The emergence of leading edge technology in cell culture, microbiology and stem cell research, what was once impossible, certainly appears to be at the threshold of being realized.

And one solution could be, perhaps to identify geniuses at birth, give the proper nurturing, and develop their mental faculties to the fullest. However, it is also true that these individuals, shun competitive environments perhaps?

Coming from where we are now - that is a mix of highly intelligent people at the top, it seems possible to create and foster a climate for open discussion, not just within that layer, but also in the general population. The solution perhaps, could be to maintain existing systems while changing perceptions, until a paradigm shift has been achieved at every level.

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