Diversity and filters
I was thinking this morning about diversity in terms of many factors – race, culture, age, sexual orientation, political views, nationality, wealth, and any other factors which can be used to divide we humans. While at the gym this morning:
I noticed for the first time, a number of banners on the wall. Usually I am observing the busy activity of the gym especially while I doing aerobic exercise. This morning there were few people present and I noticed that there were banners for the NRA and well as some others which do not represent my point of view.
· I was listening to several TED talks. One of the talks was by Eli Pariser entitled “Filter Bubbles” and another was by Kio Stark entitled “Why you should talk to strangers.”
I often tell myself that I am very blessed to have a variety of friends and acquaintances who represent many of the diverse groups of people I mentioned in my first sentence. They challenge me to think outside the boxes into which I often place ideas and activities. For example, many of my friends and acquaintances have political views which are much different than mine. What they see as good for the body politic may be the polar opposite of what I think.
I am also a reader and an avid user of the internet. Several times a day I am looking up information on the internet via google. Until I heard the talk by Mr. Pariser I had naively assumed that if two people type in the same search word or subject they would access the same options. Apparently, this is not the case. There are filters which select a list of options based, in part, on one’s past search history.
I was already aware that some of the printed periodical publications I select to read are more likely to represent certain points of view. Naturally I tell myself that I am selecting material which has a less slanted point of view than some other printed matter I could select. The same is true when I listen solely to National Public Radio.
I have long been aware that when I am using public transportation I am brought into direct contact with a variety of people whereas when I use a private car there is just me and any passengers I might have chosen. Unless I am being intentional about listening to someone on the radio who or on a podcast that has views which are divergent then mine, I am using the time to reinforce what I already believe.
When selecting books to read I am sometimes very intentional about reading those authors who offer a view which is going to challenge what I think. Perhaps I could benefit from doing this more often.
As I examine my own habits and take note of the filtering which is being done without my permission and previously without my knowledge, I am more aware that if I want to do my best to be truly educated on the issues which affect all of us I will have to be more intentionally creative.
Thankfully, Ted Talks presenters often alert me to the ways in which I limit my thinking. Obviously, limited thinking leads to less informed action.
If this is true for me, it must be true for others including our school-age children. We must do more to ensure that they have the tools they need to interact with a diverse group of people with diverse thoughts and opinions.
Written February 11, 2011
I was thinking this morning about diversity in terms of many factors – race, culture, age, sexual orientation, political views, nationality, wealth, and any other factors which can be used to divide we humans. While at the gym this morning:
I noticed for the first time, a number of banners on the wall. Usually I am observing the busy activity of the gym especially while I doing aerobic exercise. This morning there were few people present and I noticed that there were banners for the NRA and well as some others which do not represent my point of view.
· I was listening to several TED talks. One of the talks was by Eli Pariser entitled “Filter Bubbles” and another was by Kio Stark entitled “Why you should talk to strangers.”
I often tell myself that I am very blessed to have a variety of friends and acquaintances who represent many of the diverse groups of people I mentioned in my first sentence. They challenge me to think outside the boxes into which I often place ideas and activities. For example, many of my friends and acquaintances have political views which are much different than mine. What they see as good for the body politic may be the polar opposite of what I think.
I am also a reader and an avid user of the internet. Several times a day I am looking up information on the internet via google. Until I heard the talk by Mr. Pariser I had naively assumed that if two people type in the same search word or subject they would access the same options. Apparently, this is not the case. There are filters which select a list of options based, in part, on one’s past search history.
I was already aware that some of the printed periodical publications I select to read are more likely to represent certain points of view. Naturally I tell myself that I am selecting material which has a less slanted point of view than some other printed matter I could select. The same is true when I listen solely to National Public Radio.
I have long been aware that when I am using public transportation I am brought into direct contact with a variety of people whereas when I use a private car there is just me and any passengers I might have chosen. Unless I am being intentional about listening to someone on the radio who or on a podcast that has views which are divergent then mine, I am using the time to reinforce what I already believe.
When selecting books to read I am sometimes very intentional about reading those authors who offer a view which is going to challenge what I think. Perhaps I could benefit from doing this more often.
As I examine my own habits and take note of the filtering which is being done without my permission and previously without my knowledge, I am more aware that if I want to do my best to be truly educated on the issues which affect all of us I will have to be more intentionally creative.
Thankfully, Ted Talks presenters often alert me to the ways in which I limit my thinking. Obviously, limited thinking leads to less informed action.
If this is true for me, it must be true for others including our school-age children. We must do more to ensure that they have the tools they need to interact with a diverse group of people with diverse thoughts and opinions.
Written February 11, 2011
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