TED Community » Michael Van den Bossche

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Any subject with an open mind, where I can learn from and where I can contribute. Areas where I can contribute are found in the "Areas of Expertise".

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• A reply on Conversation: What impact would self-assembly products have on our economy? I.e. Production, spare parts, jobs,...

  Apr 9 2013: I think it's problematic that we somehow refuse to let go of the industrial-era idea that everyone still needs to slave-away for most of their life at "jobs".
  
  The problem for 99% of the people here is the addiction to consuming. And that is what feeds the idea of needing a job, "making their living" in order to get something. We should find a way of stepping out of these routines and addictions. That will be the beginning of a new era. And as usual, change comes most of the time at a slow paste, but we have to plant these seeds right now. We can start doing so by just becoming aware of how addicted we are, and what the hell we are doing on this planet earth, start thinking again about our purpose in life,.. are we really happy consuming, working like slaves,... or is there something better deep inside of us

• A reply on Conversation: What impact would self-assembly products have on our economy? I.e. Production, spare parts, jobs,...

  Apr 9 2013: That would be an amazing thing to happen! But I think we can't forget about the big players here (big companies) who will definitely claim rights,... then again the idea of cottage industry and artisanship sounds nice!

• A reply on Conversation: What impact would self-assembly products have on our economy? I.e. Production, spare parts, jobs,...

  Apr 9 2013: Shawki Shawki, that is a powerful statement you make there!
  We should start watching the media with a different attitude and stop judging, and instead ask ourselves what we can create and what can be done for those people. Instead of going with the media flow of negativity!
• +1

  A reply on Conversation: What impact would self-assembly products have on our economy? I.e. Production, spare parts, jobs,...

  Apr 9 2013: I strongly believe that if we pay more attention to those people (economically and morally) and start giving them a proper education (voluntarily) and give them space to develop themselves, we could definitely get those people starting on more efficient working and get people create things that we have never seen before.
  Too less attention is given to those countries, this should change drastically!
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  A reply on Conversation: What impact would self-assembly products have on our economy? I.e. Production, spare parts, jobs,...

  Apr 9 2013: I don't think directly the consumer should start constructing his TV, table,.. this could be done by a company in between that then distribute these things. To me the argument about our world of today where there are "complex things built in complex ways" is clear enough and makes you want to think about how things are being done today, let's say the time that is lost, all the waste and pollution that it brings with...
  I agree with you on the manuals but then again, with self-assembly products they will be less needed, not to say not needed anymore. Definitely if there would exist companies that take care of these problems.
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  A comment on Conversation: He, she or s/he? Should languages be made gender neutral or be left on their own to preserve literary integrity?

  Mar 20 2013: Language evolves, language always reflects the culture that created it.
  Our languages in the western culture have gone through ages where men and women had their specific role and place in society. These days, that's very rare, everybody is considered equal, and should get a fair possibility to apply for any job. So yes, adapt the language, let it reflect the culture we stand for, and so make it a natural gender language!

• A reply on Conversation: Organized planning of your "want-to-do-section"

  Mar 20 2013: Hey Robbert-Jan
  
  What matters is that you find your own way. If not planning is what suits you, then that is what you should go for. It's like a diet, there is no diet that suits for 1,000,000 people, everybody needs to adapt different kind of diets to himself, so they learn what they can eat and what not. As long as you're improving yourself daily, anything works!! :) Peace

• A comment on Conversation: If you try to fail and you succeed, what have you accomplished?

  Mar 19 2013: Depends on what your goal is. Sometimes trying to fail, can be in your advantage, for instance when you don't want the job, but they want you on the job, you could try to praise someone on his abilities, so that way they choose him. To the outside world you failed, but you,...you succeeded in failing. Mission accomplished :)
  
  Then again, depends on the mindset. Negative-minded persons will try their best to fail, because they don't believe in their selves, so basically it's subconscious. There's a lack of self-confidence. In this case, there's nothing accomplished, it's just self-destruction.
  
  Accomplishing something implies, I believe, a willing action of oneself to achieve something, to work towards a goal. whether that be failing or succeeding.
  
  About the trying to fail and you fail to do so. It's a proof that language says nothing yet everything about reality... It has nothing to do with the outside world, but with our inner-way of thinking and creating.
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  A comment on Conversation: What made you smile today?

  Mar 19 2013: Just the thought about smiling, so thanks mate ;)!
  
  There's also this technique of reliving the good moments. Where, when you are aware of yourself being in a bad mood, just stop for a second, think about something that made you happy lately. Close your eyes, be conscious of your breath, and feel, smell, see, everything that happened back then when you were happy. I promise you, this sounds so easy, stupid, but it works, just thinking about smiling, can give you back that broad smile. So therefore, great topic!