tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7145117592063944458.post6774656373339795005..comments2023-11-02T03:40:09.064-07:00Comments on Human Perspective on Development and Environment: Knowledge as PowerCIEE - Thailandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00702040572805817922noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7145117592063944458.post-17771872132745086262009-12-18T01:37:33.076-08:002009-12-18T01:37:33.076-08:00Great story you got here. It would be great to rea...Great story you got here. It would be great to read a bit more about this topic. Thank you for sharing that info.<br />Sexy Lady<br /><a href="http://www.secret-agent.co.uk/" rel="nofollow">London escorts</a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7145117592063944458.post-87898403597213269172009-12-11T03:00:13.286-08:002009-12-11T03:00:13.286-08:00Haley,
You and I have had talks about this -- that...Haley,<br />You and I have had talks about this -- that everything has something to teach us, if only we are ready to learn from everything. Your ideas about knowledge being translated into a power point and what kind of knowledge is powerful are huge to consider now that we're on our way home -- what are we going to do with what we've learned, and what we've learned about learning?<br />Our semester learning from villagers, feeling the importance of knowledge passed from generation to generation, has enlightened my perspective on education, too. Not only can we learn something from everything, but working with people also means always being a teacher. The value of knowledge that can't be plugged into a chart: Is this something that is our turn to teach now?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04308045120181129837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7145117592063944458.post-18824096386164071062009-12-08T15:48:19.766-08:002009-12-08T15:48:19.766-08:00Hi Haley,
Thank you for your post. It was very in...Hi Haley, <br />Thank you for your post. It was very interesting. I think that you made an especially good point at the end when you briefly talked about the different kinds of knowledge that can be just as powerful as "scientific, power-point" knowledge: particularly the "power of understanding and connectedness." <br /><br />I think it is true that the rich and powerful often manipulate "scientific" knowledge for their own benefit. We have certainly encountered this during our studies in Mexico this fall, particularly when we went to El Salvador and met with two members of the U.S. embassy. They showed us a lot of power point slides about how neoliberal development will help El Salvador, and how United States' business involvement in the country has greatly benefited El Salvador. <br /><br />Meanwhile, we knew that in fact, the neoliberal, export-based development that the United States was supporting in El Salvador was benefiting primarily the United States and was harming many Salvadorans.<br /><br />This seems like an example in which "knowledge" and power-point data was being used to exploit the poor, who knew what was actually going on but did not have access to technology to present their "knowledge" on the subject. <br /><br />However, I think that the truly powerful knowledge in the case of those who are oppressed--and those of us who would like to help them--is not the ability to make power point slide shows about their factual knowledge (because the businesses would probably not listen to them even then, and making a slide show is not something that gives people the hope and encouragement they need to keep struggling against their oppressors). <br /><br />Rather, I think truly powerful knowledge for the oppressed is knowledge about others who have had similar experiences of oppression and what they are doing to resist it. I think that education can be a powerful force NOT just in order to show slide shows to American college students or legitimize (on paper) abuses of human rights, but rather to give people COURAGE and confidence and hope and realize that they are not alone, and that they are not the only ones who are being oppressed.<br /><br />I think that some of the most important education any humans can receive, then, comes from being able to share our experiences with each other. Far more powerful than outlining the scientific "FACTS" is discovering that other people are suffering in the same ways as you are and that your feelings are legitimate, so that you can feel motivated to resist your oppression and change your situation.<br /><br />For example, some of the most powerful kinds of knowledge and education held by the people we have talked with here in Mexico is the knowledge they received through their involvement in "base christian comunities" or "women's empowerment groups." These women met and shared their experiences with each other, and this knowledge--this realization and affirmation that they were not the only ones experiencing abuse, etc--was incredibly powerful for them.<br /><br />Thus, although I think that this kind of knowledge CAN come from a college education, I also think that people can learn about things like this outside of any college or university. I think that when people can share their experiences through discussions, THAT is where knowledge--of the situations of other people--TRULY is powerful.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7145117592063944458.post-30461814553979052722009-12-07T16:04:04.655-08:002009-12-07T16:04:04.655-08:00Haley,
Thanks so much for your thoughts, and shari...Haley,<br />Thanks so much for your thoughts, and sharing your ideas on what it means to say that “knowledge is power”. It is such an unfortunate situation to hear what is happening in Na Nang Bong village, especially to hear that many of the villagers have tested positive for cyanide poisoning, from what it clearly seems to be the fault of the Ministry of Industry. In many cases I definitely agree with you in that the only knowledge that is considered of good use is the knowledge of the academy, that can be backed up with books and/or educated research. <br />Fortunately, spending time studying abroad, I have learned different. Some of the smartest and most knowledgeable people that I have had the opportunity to listen to and speak with have been some of the people with the lowest levels of education. When I think of knowledge, I think that it can come from all kinds of sources, in fact, I think that experience should be valued more than ‘book smarts’ when considering knowledge. It is unfortunate to think that some of the people with a lot of knowledge are overlooked due to their low levels of education. <br />I have learned during my semester abroad to listen and take heed from all types of people who express their ideas, regardless of their level of knowledge. Take everything as it comes, and try to suspend all pre-judgments until they have been adequately proven. And most of all, realize that knowledge comes in many different forms, education, experience, and many other sorts. It is important to value all that comes to us, regardless of where they would be classified in the academy. <br /><br />Ashlee Woods<br />Emory University<br />Crossing Borders 2009, Cuernavaca MexicoUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11805142352338525143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7145117592063944458.post-19016691224169282102009-11-30T21:49:54.729-08:002009-11-30T21:49:54.729-08:00I think you make some really great points in your ...I think you make some really great points in your post Haley. I have been thinking a lot about the same things lately, and although I value my traditional Western education I have learned more useful, applicable things while studying in Thailand then I have my whole four years of college. <br /><br />For example, I have studied globalization issues in a formal classroom setting, and was well aware of its criticisms, but it was not until I experienced firsthand the effects it can have on rural communities that I was able to form my own opinion on the issue. I therefore feel that experiential learning has the potential to be a powerful tool in creating a more aware and socially conscious global society.Jordannoreply@blogger.com