TED Community » Ian Gordon

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• A reply on Conversation: Where social welfare is provided by the government, people should not give money to beggars.

  Aug 7 2011: Oh, just realized I haven't answered this question yet - apologies for delay. If someone wanted to support a buddhist monk on a spiritual journey, I wouldn't have a problem with that. Although I question such religious behaviour, I don't think the monk, or perhaps nun, considers himself or herself to have a problem, but actually welcomes the mendicant life as a means to explore other realities - but I'm no expert on this. In this case, I wouldn't see the donation as causing the perpetuation of a problem, but rather aiding someone to complete a journey. I'm cautious about this, as one exception can lead to justification for others and so on, but more importantly, I'm not advocating a rule to never give money to anyone for anything, but rather suggesting that if one wants to donate money to something, donate to something you consider worthwhile, after consideration of how the money will be used and the good it will do. If giving to beggars solved their problems, I'd be all for it, but I'm sure it doesn't. Besides, what some people call giving is really just easing their conscience by shedding a bit of loose change they won't even notice. If someone wanted to help, I'd suggest choosing a worthwhile cause and setting up a direct debit to give, say, 10% of their income to it - that's what I would admire. There's a big difference. Or even get involved, hands on.

• A reply on Conversation: Where social welfare is provided by the government, people should not give money to beggars.

  Aug 4 2011: Hi Mark. Thanks for elaborating on your earlier points, and for providing some data. I agree that the giving of change to panhandlers (a term that perhaps better includes the craft involved, as there are tactics to begging) is not the core problem. However, to give or not to give, is a regular dilema in many peoples lives, and a question I've asked myself in the past. To debate everything, such as causes of homelessness and economic failings is, I think, too much for one debate; I wanted to concentrate on just one specific question for the time being.Looking at the research you indicated showed me some interesting points about begging being constitutionally protected, and the idea of service vouchers that could be given in lieu of cash. I don't think service vouchers are a good idea. Everyone who needs the service should just go and get it, not have to wait for someone to give them a voucher. I don't think criminalising begging helps either, as punishment is just going to exacerbate the problems of the poor. I didn't see anything that said that giving cash to beggars is useful. For me, it doesn't matter if the money keeps the same person on the street, or is the incentive for a new person to become a beggar, I don't think any research is necessary to know that if no-one ever gave any money to beggars, they wouldn't spend time begging. My argument is that, as a society, we don't want desperation and extreme poverty. We want real solutions. Giving money to individuals on the street is an antiquated and ineffective way to try to help, and it distracts all participants, both giver and recipient, from looking for solid solutions. I see people giving, on the metro for example, just to get the person to go away. In some places, like South Africa, it can be more intimidating, and verges on robbery. But I'm not trying to demonize beggars, who of course represent a whole range of humanity, I want to end begging. As long as people give, others with beg.

• A reply on Conversation: Where social welfare is provided by the government, people should not give money to beggars.

  Aug 3 2011: The dogs can be adorable, but I have to stick to my principle. Even 50 cents at a time can add up over a day. I agree that the welfare systems need to improve in the ways already mentioned, but lets not perpetuate this begging phenomenon. If they're begging, it's because they think it's worth it, and while they're begging, they're not trying to do anything positive, they're not getting the help they really need, and your money will more often than not buy drugs and alcohol - not what they need at all.

• A reply on Conversation: Isn't it time to eliminate grades in education?

  Jul 31 2011: Hi. I agree with much of what you said. I think we have to be careful not to separate students too soon, but having a less academic route for those who'd rather get into a trade faster is the right approach, I think. Refering to Chan's comment, I don't think you were saying empathy is unimportant, but just difficult to measure and not a substitute for grades. I had a look at Kahn Academy. I haven't had time yet to judge how good it is, but I agree there's a big furture for on-line lessons. I love them: so convenient, and once the market provides a good choice of providers, schools could be almost exclusively for projects and collaboration, not learning the data. At school, you have the teacher you're given; on-line, you can pick and choose, mix and match. Now I have to take up maths again! Cheers.

• A reply on Conversation: Isn't it time to eliminate grades in education?

  Jul 31 2011: Hi Chan. I like the thoughtfulness of you comments. Certainly, when one teaches something, one's own knowledge and understanding grows. It was surprising to discover many of the problems foreign students have with English, and I had to learn a lot to be able to guide students through language patterns that I had just taken for granted. I think students would benefit a lot from this, both in terms of subject mastery, and social skills. Their maturity and responsibility towards each other would increase - this all sounds great. The art of conversation and listening would have to develop to meet these goals. As for meditation, I'm aware of dozens of practices and I think it would be very difficult to standardize anything across an educational stysem. It's a much more controversial area. So, the authorites could allow each school free choice about incorporating different elements of meditaion into their syllabi, but I wouldn't make it compulsory. Keep it as an extra-curricular activity because I think it's a very personal pursuit and still a minority activity, despite growth in it's popularity. Brain scans to measure progress (however you'd define progress) is still science fiction, I think, but of course sci-fi today can be old hat tomorrow :)

• A reply on Conversation: Isn't it time to eliminate grades in education?

  Jul 30 2011: I agree. I wouldn't bother with the self-grading either, but self-evaluation is a powerful mechanism when done with integrity. I have no more questions at the moment, but will continue to watch this space :) Thanks a lot.

• A reply on Conversation: Isn't it time to eliminate grades in education?

  Jul 30 2011: Yes, like you say, brutal honesty is seldom useful, and probably given more often out of anger or spite than a desire to educate. A teacher with good personal skills, who can relate well to students is obviously better. I think most teachers are willing, but get jaded, and lose their idealism in the day to day grind. I didn't do traditional teacher training; I trained to teach English as a foreign language, and then got on the job training. I decided against mainstream school teaching because I disagreed with the methods so much. I think the 9 mth training course would have been largely a waste of time. I worked for the UK government a few years back, and one of the focal points of the management training was about giving effective feedback - it's a universal need. As has been mentioned, but is perhaps worth reiterating, there's not one kind of teacher: each teacher should express themselves as a means to inspire others. Whatever training we give teachers, I think it should be fairly straightforward, so as to instil important basics, like good feedback, but without constraining the natural behaviour and style of each teacher. We want diversity in our teachers, just as we want it in students - that's what I think anyway.

• A reply on Conversation: How can we make technology more friendly to people in their old age?

  Jul 30 2011: Yes, I know staying in their own homes is important to many, if not most elderly people, so I think your ideas definitely have a future. I think the important design consideration would be to minimise intrusiveness.

• A reply on Conversation: Isn't it time to eliminate grades in education?

  Jul 30 2011: Thanks. It's always a pleasure to read your opinions.

• A reply on Conversation: Isn't it time to eliminate grades in education?

  Jul 29 2011: Yes, but I think it's ok so long as they're acknowledging room for improvement, which they now recognise, rather than feeling failure. However, if the grades get lower from one quarter to the next, I'd say there's something to be addressed. Interestingly, if you abolished grades, this indicator of the students perception would be lost. Could it be that self-grading is better than no grades?