Note:
As part of a page I publish on behalf of my English as Second Language tutoring services, I incorporate a weekly quote and then give my own impression of what this quote means. Today's quote seems to be important enough and one which -even though generated some two centuries ago- is very present.
Comes from Henry David Thoreau. He was an American naturalist, essayist, poet, and philosopher. His best-known work is “Walden”, and his essay “Civil Disobedience” is an argument for disobedience to an unjust state.
“THINK
FOR YOURSELF,
OR
OTHERS WILL THINK FOR YOU
WITHOUT
THINKING OF YOU.”
MY TAKE:
We have all become involved in
the massive social networking movement. As a result, many people are -at most
times of the day- embedded into their telephones, ignoring all other activities.
All the latest trends imposed by their favorite person(s) and all the latest
thinking presented by the same group. The most important issue is to be
perceived as “the same”, not as someone who “does not fit in”. Think alike,
look alike, speak alike, dress alike. The phone, tablet, and computer are fast trading
their position from that of being useful tools to that of becoming the masters
of the younger generations. And some who are not so young.
For far too many, these instruments
have become their “thinking partner”. But in accepting the opinions of others
as their own, instead of that of a “collaborating” partner or just another
opinion, they are taking someone else’s thought process and allowing it to become
their own, implicitly. Without questioning, or even contemplating the
possibility of it being based on a false premise, or on a premise with which
the receiver might not even agree if understood.
Today’s quote comes from a
person who lived about two centuries ago. No phones or tablets or computers
then. Yet, the message is even more important in today’s environment. It just
tells us that we, as people, must remain on guard and must protect that which
is our most innate asset: our mind and its thinking process.
Does it mean that we cannot
accept or listen to someone else’s opinion? Not at all. A consensus (meeting
of the minds) is an important tool to use when it is called for. But the
issue at hand is that each one of us must think through each situation and come
to our own conclusion, not just blindly accept someone else’s.
Even if that person is an “influencer”
from social media. He or she is getting paid to make you think like they do,
and follow the trends that will make money for, or bring power to, their
sponsors. Don’t forget that.
Think of what you are told,
think about the problems at hand, think about what you want to accomplish, and how you can get there. Map your own road, don’t let others map it for you.
Those who you allow to think for you, will determine what is favorable for them
and not necessarily for you.
Yes, be a modern rebel. Think.
Think through issues. And make your own decisions. You may take someone else’s
ideas into consideration and if these coincide with your own and your goals,
then incorporate them into your life. But do not do so without truly understanding
their origin, their intent, and how they will impact you and your life.
Successes and failures will be
a part of your life and of all our lives. But when these are our own successes
and failures, they will become an intrinsic part of who we are and the core of
our maturing and growing.
THINK!!!
