How long can we last?

This question was eventually coming. After developing so many years in a linear manner, how do we shift to a sustainable circular development cycle now? It has been mentioned that our old form of industrialization needed the human race to discover 4 more earths in order to.. last a little longer. We have been damaging the planet in order for development to take place; it is ironic that we now need to conserve the environment to ensure all that development didn't go down the drain overnight.

The importance of sustainability cannot be undermined. However, we have only come to recognize it now. Why is it so late? My answer would be that humans have one weakness and that is - we are often blinded to everything else other than the most important thing (to us) at hand. Back then, it was economic growth. The world needed to move out of poverty and jobs had to be created. Now that much of the world is better off (disregarding many who are still in poverty), we have come to realize global warming and pollution are serious threats that could potentially be the downfall of the human race. So, our focus has shifted. The question is, in a hundred years time, what will be the focus then?

Examining the prime culprit for our current plight, a concept caught my eye. It was that of the 'latecomer theory' in industrialization. Basically, you watch people come up with something, learn from the negative consequences they suffered, create an upgraded version of it (optional) and propel yourself quickly to the front of the line. The only difference is that you are not credited with the invention. Countries that have followed this chain of thought have started their development later, but have reached the end of the race in a much shorter interval. They absorbed the positive ideas, and avoided the potential pitfalls. Now, isn't that a brilliant way of doing things? It looks good on paper, but it is insufficient and innovation is still critical. If everyone waited for somebody else to make the first move, we wouldn't have gotten to where we are today.

Speaking of innovation, managing innovation is very crucial as well. Interestingly, the 2nd part of the lesson was about innovation management. How can we ensure that everyone contributes creatively to a company's or country's development? How do we maintain maximum efficiency at the same time? It is a daunting task. Spencer's presentation mentioned innovation management in Singapore. Honestly, I feel that Singapore has fared below average in this aspect, albeit understandably so. Being a small country with an aging population, we do not have excessive manpower to spare, and thus most of us are trapped in a relentless cycle of studying very hard in school and then raising kids who study very hard in school. As a developed city, it is the best and surefire way of keeping our economy growing. However, I feel that our creativity has been stifled and probably put to sleep in our early years, thus rendering even the most outstanding innovation management useless. Without seeds, we cannot plant trees.

Innovation management is a tough concept. It involves the management of a creative variable. It sounds like a paradox. I felt that it could have been a topic that can be widely expanded on, if given the time and space. Unfortunately, time is a luxury good in class.

The lesson has been very interesting, with the showing of nice videos and intriguing concepts. I guess certain topics just stick more to certain individuals.

9/10