Bertrand Russell wrote an interesting article in 1928 called "How to become a Man of Genius". The full short article is here:
http://www.cscs.umich.edu/~crshalizi/Russell/Hearst_Essays/How_to_Become_a_Man_of_Genius.html
I propose that we use this thread to discuss incidents of Brahmin naivete and find reasons for ineffectiveness when such exists. Brahmins have a tradition of learning and scholarship. Are there times when such learning and scholarship may not be useful? Are there times when wisdom is prefered to knowledge? Are there times when being refined and having a refined opinion is disadvantageous? Are patience, forgiveness and such traits which are otherwise universally useful for learning and for teaching, complete let downs in other situations?
Read Earl Russell's piece closely - you will find notable observations on popular culture, populism, denunciation, etc.
What are instances and examples of such naivete from our culture? And is such an self-examination and subsequent lessons learnt from such examination critical to success in today's world for people from our community? Is there a lesson in this for us, who are known for our legacy and also for how elaborately and rapidly we are losing it?
http://www.cscs.umich.edu/~crshalizi/Russell/Hearst_Essays/How_to_Become_a_Man_of_Genius.html
I propose that we use this thread to discuss incidents of Brahmin naivete and find reasons for ineffectiveness when such exists. Brahmins have a tradition of learning and scholarship. Are there times when such learning and scholarship may not be useful? Are there times when wisdom is prefered to knowledge? Are there times when being refined and having a refined opinion is disadvantageous? Are patience, forgiveness and such traits which are otherwise universally useful for learning and for teaching, complete let downs in other situations?
Read Earl Russell's piece closely - you will find notable observations on popular culture, populism, denunciation, etc.
What are instances and examples of such naivete from our culture? And is such an self-examination and subsequent lessons learnt from such examination critical to success in today's world for people from our community? Is there a lesson in this for us, who are known for our legacy and also for how elaborately and rapidly we are losing it?