For my blog, I've chosen to reflect on the book "How to Think Like Leonardo DaVinci" by Michael Gelb. This book was suggested to me by my faculty mentor in my grad program. It is amazingly insightful. I highly recommend it for anyone looking to do a little introspection. While Gelb explains the innovations and brilliance of DaVinci and talks about the history, he also makes the Renaissance and DaVinci current and concrete; he gives us a way of reflecting on current life through exploration of the past. In addition to the astonishing facts and stories, Gelb includes short (and long) "activities" to enhance your awareness, reflection, and knowledge. These activities are fun and eye opening.
The Renaissance was a time of extreme change. Today, Gelb argues, is a time of even more rapid change: "You can't help but notice that change is accelerating. How these changes will affect you personally and professionally, nobody knows. But, like the thinkers at the end of the cataclysmic change caused by the Black Death, we owe it to ourselves to ask if we can afford to let the authorities of our time - whether church, government, or corporation - think for us."
This thought rings true for me during this time of political battle in the U.S. Activists are busily promoting candidates, rallying against the war, contemplating healthcare, and debating education. However, it strikes me that while many individuals have made up their minds about the current administration or future candidates, many have no idea what those individuals really believe in and stand for. It scares me to think how little people know about politics, yet they are willing to make decisions based on sound bites that will affect their lives.
It makes me nervous that individuals are reluctant or even refuse to think critically, especially about their leaders. For some, it seems that to contradict those in power means an individual is not "patriotic," even though those in power are people who make mistakes, just like the rest of us. Just because they have advisors and ivy-league educations does not make them infalliable, and it seems to me that as citizens, we should speak up when we feel they are wrong and they should listen.
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I think during this election people are judging not off of who is the best candidate, or who's policies they most agree with, but who they like the most. At least that's all I ever hear about. I've heard people saying that they want to vote for Obama, just because "this country needs a black president." While I disagree and agree with some of his policies, some of the people who are voting for him have no idea what he stands for. The exact same can be said for Hilary Clinton. Who knows about McCain, he's been sitting back watching Hilary and Barack rip up each other's reputations.
Point taken. People need to be well informed about all of the candidates, and they should make decisiom based off of who they believe in.