These sides are committed to promote the fundamentals of understanding Social-Reality and its ultimate purpose; HARMONY.
The Highlight here will be, working towards the high objectives of harmony in the Ethiopian Social-Reality: PEACE, freedom of CULTURE, scientific PERFECTION and tolerant FAITH.
Any knowledge, without the slightest touch of dogmatism; whose purpose is enlightening and freeing the human species to celebrate its full liberty and eventual perfection, is always welcome.
The inertia of most people in affluent Western nations in the face of the corruption of the core institutions of their democracies, including their universities, their disempowerment, the plundering of public wealth, growing economic injustice and economic insecurity, and environmental degradation and the threat of a global ecological collapse, has impelled a search for explanations, and in doing so, has forced people to confront the nihilism of modern civilization. It appears that the devaluation of the highest values, and of life itself, and the consequent loss of meaning in people’s lives, is having practical consequences. Nihilism threatens our liberty, the future of civilization and even the global ecosystem which sustains the conditions for life.
Understanding Kafka and his Point - The social complicity in Modern contexts:
The following paper is a brilliant contribution for a thorough reflection on cultural development and our actual human reality ie. the condition of the human agency.
Following is a paper for understanding the social significance of empathy and its neurodevelopment in humans:
"....
Among the psychological processes that are the basis for much of social perception and smooth social interaction, empathy plays a key role. Empathy-related responding, including caring and sympathetic concern, is thought to motivate prosocial behavior, inhibit aggression and pave the way to moral reasoning [Eisenberg and Eggum, 2009]. On the other hand, children suffering from certain developmental disorders such as conduct disorder and disruptive behavior disorders are considered to have little empathy and concern for the feelings and wellbeing of others, as well as a lack of remorse and guilt, all of which are regarded as risk factors in developing hostile, aggressive or even violent behavior [de Wied et al., 2006]."
The following is a wonderful tool for all sorts of creative group works and deliberations. Designed by people with lots of genuine visions for us all, our human life.
The best simplified explanation I encountered on the topic of our "HUMAN CONDITION" - at the quantum level:
"This also suggests a quantum model of man, which locates consciousness in the collapse of our wave functions which occurs through interaction with our environment. Our unconsciousness, then, consists of our wave functions, as the multitude of possible forms which our consciousness can take through interaction. So, if the form we take is only determined in interaction and wave function collapse, then our knowledge of ourself (experience and memory, the stuff of consciousness) cannot be understood by oneself independently of interaction with one’s environment. ”In other words, the desires and beliefs which the rationalist model of man sees as causing behavior actually do not exist until behavior takes place – before that point the Self is a superposition of multiple and mutually incompatible desires and beliefs. This conception of human behavior also provides an explanation of free will, as it accepts the indeterminancy of social action and lets human agency make the choices."
The best simplified explanation I encountered on the topic of our "HUMAN CONDITION" - at the quantum level:
"This also suggests a quantum model of man, which locates consciousness in the collapse of our wave functions which occurs through interaction with our environment. Our unconsciousness, then, consists of our wave functions, as the multitude of possible forms which our consciousness can take through interaction. So, if the form we take is only determined in interaction and wave function collapse, then our knowledge of ourself (experience and memory, the stuff of consciousness) cannot be understood by oneself independently of interaction with one’s environment. ”In other words, the desires and beliefs which the rationalist model of man sees as causing behavior actually do not exist until behavior takes place – before that point the Self is a superposition of multiple and mutually incompatible desires and beliefs. This conception of human behavior also provides an explanation of free will, as it accepts the indeterminancy of social action and lets human agency make the choices."
Does the Universe have Cosmological Memory? Does This Imply Cosmic Consciousness?
Walter J. Christensen Jr. Physics Department, Cal Poly Pomona University, 3801 W. Temple Ave, Pomona CA 91768
Abstract
Does the universe have cosmological memory? If so, does this imply cosmic consciousness? In this paper a cosmological model is proposed similar in structure to the famous thought experiment presented by James Clerk Maxwell, in which a "demon" tries to violate the Second Law of Thermodynamics. In such a proposed cosmological scenario, if the Second Law of Thermodynamics is to be preserved, it implies the existence of cosmological memory. Since consciousness and memory are intimately linked and a demon-like (intelligent) creature permits only fast moving particles to pass through a cosmic gate, it is argued the universe is necessarily conscious.
"The Secret of Intuition" partially explains the disaster following emotions, basic instincts and the Problem of "Socio-Morphology" ransacking at times moments of human history!
Edge Master Class 2007 DANIEL KAHNEMAN: "A SHORT COURSE IN THINKING ABOUT THINKING"
[7.19.07]
A SHORT COURSE IN THINKING ABOUT THINKING Edge Master Class 07 DANIEL KAHNEMAN Auberge du Soleil, Rutherford, CA, July 20-22, 2007 AN EDGE SPECIAL PROJECT
San Suu Kyiswon won ( even if it is a half-way on the way to Freedom & Democracy) the election after 20 Years of Peaceful Struggle.
Ethiopian prisons are however, still full of political prisoners after 20 Years of Tyranny; paradoxically supported by US and Western Europe; the supposedly champions of Democracy and Peace!
Here is one of the letters from a young Ethiopian Political Prisoner - Mr. Natnael Mekonnen, accused of "Terrorism" - a catchword to silence all political opposition-; an outstanding and courageous plädoyer of a non-viiolent struggle for Peace and Democracy !
Twenty years after the military regime is ousted, democratic relations have hardly made a progress and Ethiopia is still suffering under autocracy.
The sole difference is just a changed marker, new allies, a shifted social base & international context.
I.e. "the intermeshing of four critical conditions [the centralization of power, the absence of strong civil society, ideological justification, and favorable international context" /p.4 (1)] has received a different marker.
In other words,the following line of discussion can as well be valid to the regime of Melese Zenawi. The imperative of change from below is still missing and genuine democratic relations have been for long stifled in the early infancy, with the consequence of the prevailing one-man dictatorship in Ethiopia.
I would however say, the crucial difference is that Mengistu and his allies have challenged the “solomonic myth” of the Emperor and have done away with the absolute monarchy; and Melese has been attacking the long standing “Ethiopian myth” of the nation-state and is on the verge of disintegrating the relatively advanced formation of the state in a region with long historic records of co-existence under diverse man-made and natural challenges.The consequence: Ethiopia is delivered away to being a prey of the new aggressive form of neu-colonialism in Africa (see Land-grabbing & the recent wholesale of age old Ethiopian National corporations to foreign global "players")
Please see the following relevant and persuasive essay on the issue of dictatorship.
Indeed, concluding with the final inquiry: The..."four factors were critical in creating dictatorship in Ethiopia, one could also effectively utilize the same understanding to examine the extent to which the processes of democratization in Ethiopia and other countries are facilitated or obstructed by the presence/absence of the conditions under discussion."
Abstract:
The thesis of this study is that dictators cannot be made in spite of socially propitious circumstances for their existence. Accordingly, transcending person-centered approaches – which limit themselves to intra-individual dynamics in the explanation of the origin of authoritarianism – I demonstrate how four important factors in concert have contributed to the making of Mengistu HaileMariam of Ethiopia as a dictator. First, the social and political basis for Mengistu’s dictatorship was grilled by his predecessor, Emperor HaileSelassie, who, in order to augment his political position, was deeply interested in the centralization of power. Second, the absence of strong civil society, which could have acted as a counterweight to state power, set the condition for Mengistu’s dictatorial regime. Third, Mengistu and his table companions justifi ed their rule by an emergent ideology whose premises were drawn from the political philosophy of Marxism–Leninism and the social history of Ethiopia. Finally, favorable international context created a structurally conducive atmosphere for dictatorship through the acquisition of appropriate resources that reinforced Mengistu’s militaristic establishment. However, none of these conditions by itself effectively addresses the issue under discussion without aligning it with the remaining set of conditions. Future study needs to focus on other cases in order to see if the same state of affairs were operative in the rise of a dictator. (I.e. in the case of Melese Zenawi too, my comment)
Keywords: centralization of power, civil society, favorable international context, ideology, person-centered approach, the social construction of dictatorship
What is taking place in Ethiopia, now beginning in the southern regions of Ethiopia is simply becoming disgusting.... A serious condition, which deserves a big attention, since this may be the beginning of the big ugly picture - a serious human political disastor in a region of a highly charged political turmoil . Resist the Beginnings before it is too late!
“The people occupying the plateau of the Blue Nile are conscious of a glorious past and proudly call themselves Ethiopians.” -- Elise Reclus, Philosopher
Ethiopian ethnic-based political elites, most prominently, the champion of ethnic politics and business, TPLF Inc., were always bent on shredding to pieces our commonalities, shared history and common identity as Ethiopians of all shades, colors, languages and faiths, from their inception. They embraced the Apartheid like formula of separation and legalized ethnic-federalism. They were determined to de-institutionalize and de-capitalize Ethiopian society by dismantling social relations among the population. This is the thesis of this analytical piece.
As a result of their secret and coded arrangements intended solely to serve them financially and economically, they sowed the seeds of revenge and fear among the population. Youth are forced to belong to the governing party if they wish to secure a job, a home or further education. As a result, the country that stood as symbol of independence, honor, dignity and pride for people of color around the globe is now the center of the grossest human rights violations on this planet. TPLF Inc. is determined to obliterate the past, present and future of all people who call themselves “Ethiopians.” This is happening in front of our eyes. As far as I know, de-institutionalization and social de-capitalization of Ethiopian society started when TPLF Inc. took power 21 years ago and continues at a faster pace today. The concepts were all planted during its formation. What we witness now is implementation of the sinister strategy using land and other economic resources to dispossess and expel.
Wherever one looks, dispossessions expulsions and human cruelty from government agents are widespread: the Afar, Beni-Shangul Gumuz, Gambella, Gondar, Lower Omo Valley, Oromia and SNNP regions and sub-regions are at the center. In this entire onslaught against the Ethiopian people, there is overwhelming documentary evidence that shows that the Amharic speaking population is singled out as ‘enemy’ number one. Why the differentiation? This group is identified by TPLF Inc. and the country’s traditional adversaries as nationalist, that is, as Ethiopian more than its label as Amhara. I documented this in my book, Waves, two years ago and forewarned that TPLF Inc. will continue its relentless campaign to dislodge this and other nationalist oriented members of society using ethnic-federalism and decentralized decision making as the driver. Using this mode of government arrangements, TPLF Inc. tries to camouflage its misdeeds by using surrogates. We know that surrogates have little or no power. Authority comes from the top. The continued expulsion of Amharic speaking Ethiopians from the lands they use and from the neighbors with whom they coexist peacefully and amicably reflects this sinister arrangement. People naively wonder why the outside world, especially donors and diplomats with stake in Ethiopia do not react.
Although this is not the purpose of this piece, I should like to share my take on the matter again. British and American policy makers, the two largest sources of bilateral aid to Ethiopia, know that the TPLF Corporate group is anathema to their own values of the rule of law, human freedom, free enterprise and a semblance of democracy, for example, checks and balances and political pluralism. Why do they support a repressive regime that portends insecurity and instability in the long-run? Why do they refuse a movement toward globally accepted norms of humane institutions, decency, fair play, openness and the like? In my view and the views of other prominent international experts on the subject, democratic reconstruction and reconfiguration are secondary to their national interests of security and stability in the Horn of Africa. In other words, they are willing and ready to sacrifice their core values to serve their own narrow and short-term national interests of averting terrorism and instability in the Horn of Africa as they have done in the rest of the world. This is why Ethiopian opposition groups cannot afford to operate in their own silos. They need to cooperate and show credibility that they stand for a bigger cause than narrow or parochial interests.
Like us, the world community looks at the faces of innocent children and women forcibly expelled from their farmlands and properties where their forefathers worked and lived for 100 years plus, in Benji Maji, Southern Ethiopia. Like us, those whose profession is to monitor the Horn know that theirs is a fresh and ugly testimony and reminder of how far ethnic politics and business in Ethiopia would go to bring havoc to this ancient land. They know that, with a stroke of an order--no doubt emanating from the highest levels of the governing party--children and women and poor farmers were herded like sheep in their own country by their own government and forcibly expelled from their homes. They know that neighbors were awed but could do nothing in the country of fear. The bewilderments in the faces of the children and women are graphic and speak louder than my capacity to write about them; and the cruelty and brutality of a regime that has literally gone wild and mad. These Ethiopians could be our children, our sisters, our mothers, our fathers and or relatives. It does not matter. They are, first and foremost human beings and Ethiopians who deserve treatment with honor and dignity. Their expulsion is ours too. Donors and diplomats in Addis Ababa know all of this; but cannot say much because it does not affect their interests. It is up to us to make them understand and to draw them to our side.
TPLF Inc.’s ethnic politics and business robbed these Ethiopians displaced from their homes, of their humanity, dignity and honor. Trust me. Regardless of ethnic, religious, ideological or demographic affiliation, it is our own common humanity, dignity and honor that are robbed and are being undone by tribal elite that have no decency or humanity to speak of. I am not entirely clear where this unprecedented assault on the Ethiopian people is heading and where it will lead and to what end? Some in the diplomatic and donor community are weary but are not speaking out. I am wearily reminded of the civil war in Liberia, the dismemberment of Yugoslavia, genocide in Rwanda and the collapse of Somalia. I and others witnessed the horrors in Liberia where people were hacked like wild animals or in Rwanda where nearly a million people lost their lives because of their ethnic affiliation should worry that the same could happen in our country. It is not an exaggeration to put the pieces together by connecting the dots of cruelty and inhumanity and by arriving at a larger and ominous picture that seems to emerge. TPLF Inc. and its ethnic elite collaborators seem to be determined to push the entire country into the abyss. Donors and diplomats in Addis Ababa know this but do not see an alternative that gives them confidence and comfort.
In my view, the plight of the Amhara is not a single ethnic dilemma. It is an Ethiopian dilemma. The plight of the tribes in the Omo Valley being forced out of their ancestral homes is not solely their problem. It is an Ethiopian problem. The eviction of Anuak, Afar and Somali from their lands to make room for a narrow band of emerging ethnic capitalists and foreign governments and firms from 36 countries is not an Anuak or Afar or Somali problem. It is an Ethiopian problem. The rape of Somali girls and women and the destruction of villages and property is not a Somali problem. It is an Ethiopian problem. The transfer of lands in Waldiba on which monks depend, to TPLF Inc. firms and or the state within a state called MIDROC is not a Gondar problem. It is an Ethiopian one. No matter the location or the population, it is Ethiopia and Ethiopians who are under the gun. Thus, it behooves all Ethiopians to respond not as members of this or that ethnic or religious group but as Ethiopians. This is our only salvation as people. We either rise in unison as Ethiopians; or we will all perish together. We can never allow this to occur. It is not the legacy we would want to leave. Is it?
As I saw the video clips of innocent and frightened children, girls and women, I kept thinking that only an invading army would do this to Ethiopians. I am reminded that even invading armies from the colonial era were civilized and humane enough to differentiate the innocent from those who dissent. Children and women and poor farmers who work hard to earn a living are not a threat to the governing party. Their forcible expulsion is a form of ethnic cleansing and therefore a crime against humanity. Only Apartheid conducted an identical system of political and economic capture that expelled blacks and herded and concentrated them in their own “homelands or Bantustans.” This way, it is easier to monitor, subjugate and control them. TPLF Inc. does not have the moral courage or commitment to differentiate between those who dissent against it and those who live and work peacefully and legally in different parts of the country.
Ironically, Tigreans are free to live and work anywhere in Ethiopia. They are state sponsored and can own property anywhere in the country. A recent informal survey from a reliable group shows that in the city of Gondar, close to 50 percent of the population is now Tigrean as are more than 75 percent of major enterprises. Here is the difference. The Amharic speaking population of the city treats them as Ethiopians. No Tigrean national I am aware of has been expelled from the so-called Amhara region. This is the good news and Tigreans should condemn a ruling clique that abuses their name and expels people on the basis of ethnic and or linguistic affinity. For this reason alone, Ethiopia and the Ethiopian people do not deserve Apartheid like system that dispossesses and expels any or one group of people forcibly from any part of the country on the basis of linguistic and or tribal origin. Ethiopians must stand up and reject this regressive policy and the occurrences it triggers. They must recognize and appreciate the notion that inhumanity of man to man is not an Ethiopian popular tradition or value. It is not our heritage. It is the tradition of tyrants and dictators perfected by TPLF Inc. in other words; it is a governance and system’s issue.
Is our history as cruel as TPLF Inc. manifests it?
I should like to take the reader back to a snippet of history to strengthen my argument. TPLF Inc. rejects the evolution of the country it defines as a “prison of nations, nationalities and peoples,” for which it is the proclaimed liberator. These narrow-minded, clubby and family centered minority ethnic elite try to compel innocent and self-serving people alike to believe that our identity should be defined narrowly in tribal and linguistic terms. It uses emotions to drive its political and economic agenda on the rest of us. The reader knows that people enjoy different identities for different reasons. I will identify some of my own: am a professional in development, have a higher degree and was and or is a banker, professor, writer, belong to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, am a father, a husband and my linguistic affiliation is to Amharic and regional origin, Gondar. Of these, which one do you think is the identity that I cherish most and share or have in common with millions? It is this. I am an Ethiopian and have a great deal in common with Ethiopians than other people in the world. I presume most of us who hail from Ethiopia have numerous identities but believe in the notion that we are Ethiopians or people of Ethiopian origin. It is this core value that will save us.
The singular identity that binds us together regardless of different affiliations is that we belong to a country called Ethiopia. Hence, our commonality is expressed as Ethiopians and or as people of Ethiopian origin. TPLF Inc. wants us to sink to the bottom and think and organize ourselves as Amharic speakers or an Amhara ethnic group. I caution my compatriots that this is a tempting trap to which we should not sink. We need to be strategic and take the higher road of our historical and legitimate identity as Ethiopians. Let me elaborate within the context of today’s global community in which the TPLF Inc. formula is totally against the tide.
Who in the world would find it credible if I told (in official travels with the World Bank) a Chinese or a Brazilian or a Nigerian or a Norwegian at their respective airports that I am an Amharic speaking Gondarie? Wouldn’t the person find it incredible if I told him or her that I cannot live and or work in any part of Ethiopia because of my linguistic or ethnic affiliation? TPLF Inc. has reduced us to this low level. It is this emotionally driven and politically motivated identity that TPLF Inc. imposes on most of us. Some accept the new norm because of fear. Some accept it because of greed. Others accept it because of ignorance. Still others accept it because they believe in it. No matter the motive, TPLF Inc. wants us to believe that it is implementing Apartheid like formula on behalf of ‘oppressed nations, nationalities and people.’ The intent is to undermine Ethiopian unity and identity. The acid test of being an Ethiopian is the possibility of living and working in any part of Ethiopia. Otherwise, our commonality becomes meaningless regardless of the propaganda propagated by TPLF Inc. that we should all buy Renaissance Bonds and send our hard earned monies in support of a regime that does not allow us to fulfill our potential in our own country. Just think of this. The governing party that champions Ethiopian nationalism when it suits its interests still calls itself by its origin, Tigray People’s Liberation Front? Liberation from who is now a legitimate question. The reader knows the answer and the purpose.
The Greeks looked up to ancient Ethiopia and called it the common cradle of mankind. Among other things, they contended that ancient Egyptians “derived their civilization and religions from Ethiopia and Ethiopians. Ptolemaic (Greek) writers and philosophers felt and wrote that “Ethiopians were the first men that ever lived.” Martin Bernal’s “Black Athena: the Afro-Asiatic roots of classical civilization,” provides rich data and information on the richness of Ethiopian history; and, more important on the movement and on the interconnectedness of most Ethiopians for thousands of years. Interconnectedness of Ethiopians has now been validated through archaeological findings that confirm that Ethiopia is indeed the origin of humankind. In their highly acclaimed book, “Lucy (Dinknesh): The Beginnings of Humankind,” Donald Johansson and Maitland Edey, document the dramatic discovery of Lucy’s (Dinknesh’s) “completeness in the history of hominid fossil collection.” Dinknesh’s (Lucy’s) discovery did not happen by accident. It is a tribute to the farsightedness of Emperor Haile Selassie, who, in the 1950s--during a visit to Kenya--invited Western Anthropologists to explore fossils in Ethiopia and granted the requisite permits. The Omo valley expedition lasted from 1967 to 1977 and resulted in the finding of Dinknesh (Lucy). “There could no longer be any argument about that, or conjecture over whether a certain leg bone and a certain skull did or did not belong the same individual (Dinknesh). Here they were, together in one unbelievable skeleton.”
Dinknesh refers to a country known for thousands of years as Ethiopia, home of our common humanity as Ethiopians. If we are indeed the origin of mankind, possess an incontestable long history and have served as a home to different ethnic and religious groups for thousands of years, who is responsible for reducing us to identify one another as members of a tribe or a linguistic group rather than as Ethiopians? It is the EPLF, TPLF and other ethnic-based liberation fronts who wish us harm. It is also their foreign sponsors that continue to be inimical to a strong, unified and prosperous Ethiopia. As the champion of ethnic politics and business (the two are linked), TPLF Inc. is determined to obliterate this common humanity that the Ethiopian people have shared for thousands of years. This commonality has been strengthened generation after generation through marriages, economic and religious interactions, migration of people from South to North, from North to South, from East to West and from West to East and many in between. This is why I contend that Ethiopia and Ethiopians are the pace-setters of what is now commonly known as globalization. This phenomenon began as a result of human mobility from Ethiopia and the rest of Africa to the rest of the globe. Before Ethiopians moved across the globe, they spread within Ethiopia. Their linkages are thus incontestable.
Ethiopian identity and globalizing influence that TPLF Inc. wishes to undo by rewriting our entire history and reducing it to just 100 years to suit it, and by spreading the venom of ethnic revenge and hate are not confined to the story of Dinknesh, although hers is the foundation of our humanity. Herodotus, the Greek historian documented that Ethiopians reached out to the rest of the world through trade in spices and ivory far beyond Egypt and the Gulf. Ethiopians are said to have moved to and served in Persian armies. “The Eastern Ethiopians—for there were two sorts of Ethiopians in the army—served in the Indian army.” Here is the key though. “These were just like the Southern Ethiopians, except for their language and their hair; their hair is straight.” Threads that bind Ethiopians among one another through marriages, social and economic interactions, religious practices, localities and regions are rooted in our past. With its ups and downs and imperfections and manifestations of gross injustice, our past is the foundation of our present and future. In light of this, our diversity is nothing new. It has always been there. The trick is to harness it for the better.
Yet, our political leaders and institutions failed to use our diversity creatively and constructively in building an enduring, just and all inclusive society. Experts foreign and domestic recognize our history and diversity as sources of uniqueness and strength rather than as liabilities. Under TPLF Inc., both history and diversity are liabilities. These are used as political tools to create and deepen wedges to divide us, frighten us, exploit us and create animosities among us.
TPLF Inc. forces us to forget the assets and treasures that emanate from our roots and the uniqueness that our forefathers left for us. One additional example cements this point. In the 19th century, M. Le Jean, French, said this. “Ethiopia, even during its state of greatest decadence, offers to the unprejudiced traveler, the elements of an advanced social order. Feudality certainly exists there, but scarcely to a greater extent than in England…the administrative machinery is simple…is property well defined; individual rights are guaranteed by appeal to the Emperor; commerce is protected; and political vengeance and horrors of war in a great measure neutralized…” Can you say the same about the Meles Zenawi Government today? I cannot. The evidence is overwhelmingly oppressive and repressive. This is why revenge, fear and expulsion come naturally to the governing clique.
What can and should we do?
There is a great deal we can and should do. The starting point is for each of us and for our communities to believe and commit to preserving this ancient land and to frame an alternative that will accommodate the needs and interests of all its members. Our individual and collective responsibility is, first and foremost, to halt this frightening phenomenon of fear, ethnic divide and repression that--if not halted now--is likely to destroy all of us. We must determine that we do not wish to witness another Liberia, Rwanda or Somalia in Africa. TPLF Inc. and other surrogate ethnic-based parties use language and or other differences as a criterion to implant fear and revenge; to discriminate and expel as if we are not of the same diverse family; and to undo what has been built by all Ethiopians over thousands of years. Our ability and readiness to embrace one another and to stand for one another; and to reject ethnic divide is the starting point. We can do this wherever we are and in numerous ways.
This is the big picture I should like to implant in the reader’s mind. We need to reject the Apartheid like system that drives little children and mothers, old people and poor farmers from their homes and farms and from their neighbors. In part two of this commentary, I will provide a specific example of the horrors of ethnic cleansing and civil wars that entail irreparable damage regardless of the temporary strength of a ruling group.
* "Wills" & Wheels of deconstruction (1 for completely different purposes and objectives! Two papers for reflections (on the Edge and the danger)!WHAT A CONTRAST! * The Third paper 3. "The End of Citizenship? The Nation State, Threats to its Legitimacy, and Citizenship. Education in the Twenty-first Century"
is interesting in so far as it indicates the "mischief" and the Policy-"Blue-prints" of global forces working at the deconstruction of traditionally and culturally "developing" nation-states (with diverse ethnic backgrounds like Ethiopia). The crucial inquiry along this line is to whose detriment does this scheme run and who would draw the initial benefits out of the envisaged "change" and "social turmoil" towards a full-fledged deconstruction of the Ethiopian "Nation-State"! Looking attentively to what is politically taking place in "Ethiopia Today", since half a century, it seems that "WE" are condemned to be placed on the experimental "dissection table" of the "big" global players (be it regional players like Saudi Arabian or the bigger super-entities like USA, EU or China etc. with their oligarchy of corporations). ************ 1) In Ethiopia Today, there seems to be deconstruction at all levels -
- religious (see the conflict within the Christian community; i.e. Orthodox vs “Pentecost’s” and more. See the conflict within the Muslim community, old Ethiopian Sunnites vs "the new" Ahbash followers);
- cultural (instigating ethnic conflicts and the quasi ethnic-cleansing began in the south; dismantling of cultural heritages, icons and personalities);
- political ( the one party system, the "terrorism" decree and the removal of the democratic space and alas! the new education policy as depicted for the AAU);
- social (regional agression policy/ or no war no peace strategy/ the policy of resettlement and displacement, promotion of behavorial and social decadency to demolarize personalities and communities including devaluating traditional and cultural values upto dismantling traditional welfare circles like "idir", "mahiber" etc.);
- economic (the land grab phenomenon, the foreign investment policy (the envisaged whole-sale of big national enterprise-properties including the old Commercial Bank and the Ethiopian Airlines, Telecom and the shipping lines etc.), the illicit capital flight and the reintroduction of a tenure system for urban dwellers );
which may all ensue a serious crisis if not a human disaster, not to be contained easily. Or is that the agency-willed big objective in reality to open up the extensive domination of the "fate-illed" parcel and parts of the once -up-on-a time Ethiopia!
In spite all good will, I really miss, if at all, the "well meant" rationale behind all these! Or is Ethiopia being dealt with, in disguise, by a "foreign invader" of a new type - !
I am only not pleased over the idea of making Teddy a big "thinker" and "philosopher"- Unless you know him closely and personally to come to this perception. As a public figure, as one would expect however, I have never come across his "bigger” ideas and reflections!- Except his songs and some of his lyrics. (Even not knowing if he is the source); therefore, for me it is enough that he is a big creative singer and perhaps a song writer of the new young generation!I like his musical works and he is the only one and original creative singer after the great Tilahun!
But all this said, I am also not that much happy on his "Tikur-Sew".
Out of the following reasons:
First of all:
- What made the release of this album so necessary at this time of conditions (misery and conflicts (ethnic or religious) coming to some sort of climax at home) - is it only empathy and change of mind?
- Given all his rights not to do this; what was the reason that Teddy didn't commit himself (the few years and all these months before) in favor of “The Freedom and the Opposition Movement “after he has been released from prison (like for instance Birtukan did). He had ample opportunities and time for reflection. As far as his fans are concerned, given his popularity, a small sign of protest on one of his concerts thereafter, would have rallied the big wave (Tamagn is for instance a great example!) eventually scaring the deaf-and-dumb regime at home!
To make it short; I could not resist the temptation to pose the question: YES! At this time of "The DAY", has "marketing" played in this release a significant role or has he been a victim of his “global marketing managers".
And I would at last but not least say that:
-Menilik II, not only an Ethiopian, is too big an African and a Black Sublime Leader not to be a "Song-Mate" of the global music-market. This would be playing down – not to say undermining - the esteem of the High History-Event of the "Black Man"!
In other words, to be concrete: If Marketing plays a non-significant role in this “Project of Tikur-Sew” I would for instance suggest, thatTeddy show his authenticity by supporting the new impressive and authentic All-Ethiopian NationalMovement initiated by the "Transitional Council"/ENTC of Dr. Fessha Eshetu ! If it happens that Teddy, for some obvious reasons, which frustrated a big section of Ethiopians, has his reservations towards other sectors of the opposition with all sorts of legacy problems, ENTC,I am sure is a promising movement which would, I presume appeal to him!
H.B.
****
(1) I am not a historian but the following polite critic even shows that "the group" of Teddy has not even researched well enough to make the facts sound and correct!
This is not a fairy tale, a phantasmagoria or an Armageddon prophecy but concrete data!
...giving a clear picture of our plight where the contours of the coming slavery are running and alarming!
...Is this not REASON and RATIONALE enough for any living MIND with the slightest claim of being an INTELECTUAL to get aware of the fact where we AFRICA/ with ETHIOPA getting the lead of being enslaved /will end up!
.. The PEOPLES are always ready to shake off their burden; it is thus not worth mentioning the load they have to live with!
Always scrambling for our rich and "poor" AFRICA!
The last century was the colonial Zenith of the WEST!
The coming century screams to be the new colonial Omega of the EAST!
The Land Matrix is an online public database of large-scale land deals. It provides a visualisation of records documenting land deals since 2000. The data you can explore represent about 50% of the entire data base. The remaining deals are being crosschecked and added, together with new data provided, on an on-going basis. The visualisations offer overview of the data as well as giving full access to the public database down to the level of an individual deal. ... Read more
The Land Matrix is an online public database of large-scale land deals. It provides a visualisation of records documenting land deals since 2000. The data you can explore represent about 50% of the entire data base. The remaining deals are being crosschecked and added, together with new data provided, on an on-going basis. The visualisations offer overview of the data as well as giving full access to the public database down to the level of an individual deal. ... Read more
There seems to be the magic hormone called TESTOSTERONE, which either influences you to be born with emapthy or not, female or male, social inclined or tainted with alienation etc.
Following is an interesting research which goes down-to-earth biology without being biased for neither side, to find out what is at stake at our innate human behaviour. Though there is always the 50 % part of the whole story which would at any rate change in due course of our experience and social learning:
...."We were talking earlier about the twins, how much can innate factors explain about human behavior. I keep in mind, as a rule of thumb, about 50 percent. The other 50 percent is about experience, is about upbringing, and these factors interact: genes, hormones and our experience all interact, and when we try to be reductionist, or try to be too simplistic, to emphasize the role of one of these factors, actually we're missing the complexity of how they interact."
"This is a hormone that has fascinated me. It's a small molecule that seems to be doing remarkable things. The variation we see in this hormone comes from a number of different sources. One of those sources is genes; many different genes can influence how much testosterone each of us produces, and I just wanted to share with you my fascination with this hormone, because it's helping us take the science of sex differences one step further, to try to understand not whether there are sex differences, but what are the roots of those sex differences? Where are they springing from? And along the way we’re also hoping that this is going to teach us something about those neuro-developmental conditions like autism, like delayed language development, which seem to disproportionately affect boys more than girls, and potentially help us understand the causes of those conditions." (http://edge.org/conversation/testosterone-on-my-mind)
There seems to be the magic hormone called TESTOSTERONE, which either influences you to be born with emapthy or not, female or male, social inclined or tainted with alienation etc.
Following is an interesting research which goes down-to-earth biology without being biased for neither side, to find out what is at stake at our innate human behaviour. Though there is always the 50 % part of the whole story which would at any rate change in due course of our experience and social learning:
...."We were talking earlier about the twins, how much can innate factors explain about human behavior. I keep in mind, as a rule of thumb, about 50 percent. The other 50 percent is about experience, is about upbringing, and these factors interact: genes, hormones and our experience all interact, and when we try to be reductionist, or try to be too simplistic, to emphasize the role of one of these factors, actually we're missing the complexity of how they interact."
"This is a hormone that has fascinated me. It's a small molecule that seems to be doing remarkable things. The variation we see in this hormone comes from a number of different sources. One of those sources is genes; many different genes can influence how much testosterone each of us produces, and I just wanted to share with you my fascination with this hormone, because it's helping us take the science of sex differences one step further, to try to understand not whether there are sex differences, but what are the roots of those sex differences? Where are they springing from? And along the way we’re also hoping that this is going to teach us something about those neuro-developmental conditions like autism, like delayed language development, which seem to disproportionately affect boys more than girls, and potentially help us understand the causes of those conditions." (http://edge.org/conversation/testosterone-on-my-mind)
"Like the Yin & Yang", Oxytocin may be the counter-effecting molecule of Testosterone, the molecule which deprives our mind and body, the sufficient empathy we need to be capable of living together in a social community.
According to the experts actual findings, the interplay ( among many other biological-genetic factors, which are still in their research birthmarks) between Testosterone and Oxytocin seem to explain the biological backdrop of "Ethno-centrism" too (not to mention other narrow somatic markers). As the following article presumes, however the level of information and knowledge the individual encounters is what contains and rationalizes the "biological limitations"!
"The brain weighs emotional attitudes like those prompted by oxytocin against information available to the conscious mind. If there is no cognitive information in a situation in which a decision has to be made, like whether to trust a stranger about whom nothing is known, the brain will go with the emotional advice from its oxytocin system, but otherwise rational data will be weighed against the influence from oxytocin and may well override it, Dr. Averbeck said."
