We need to be asking, “Is there a better way?” or “What else is there?” and “How can we improve?” These three simple questions direct growth, innovation and ambition, which are the qualities required in personal, business and social life.
In schools and businesses, I observe a tendency to avoid effort, which leads to stagnation and holds society back. Technology is masking this limitation. Innovation cycles have become shorter due to the momentum from previous cycles. However, society is doing less with more.
At schools, students are not asking, “What else is there?” or even “Tell me more”. There is little curiosity to find out more. Electronic devices allow access to oceans of information, yet students prefer to sit on the shores of ignorance. That drive to dive in and explore is left lounging on a bed of lethargy. Teachers who push exploration are seen as old-fashioned, while students respond with, “If it is there, we can always dive in”. But it is only by swimming under the waves of information, over the troughs of ideas and diving deeper that the beauty of the learning experience is found. True education requires curiosity and asking questions.
A continuous, childlike inquiry, even among adults, is missing as parents farm out their parenting duties to devices. Learning begins at home and expands globally; hence, the games that kids play are crucial to what we want society to become. I sometimes give out activity books and colour pencils to kids at bus stations and on the trains, yet few parents ask why or want to know more. Curiosity, demonstrated by example, is more effective than conveyed by words.
Businesses, too, should be asking, “Is there a better way?” There is a charm to the traditional way of doing things; however, there are also more efficient and effective ways of conducting business. Surprisingly, many small business owners I have spoken with in Thailand are not interested in growing their business. Some are not even aware of how to grow their business. There is a sense of satiation with having something to do that brings in money, which leads to inertia. Hence, children often do not want to take over the family business, as it is perceived as limiting. This lack of drive presents opportunities. Alas, a facilitated oligarchy of sorts emerges with a few large conglomerates and many small shops.
Innovation is a slogan for how we can improve this product or process — a fundamental idea of taking one thing and making it better or extending its use. A utilitarian activity repackaged for the 21st century. Alas, with so many competing products and services, innovation is becoming seemingly unnecessary. A cycle of products exists to fix problems caused by other products — pills for problems caused by pills. Sometimes the answer is no, and that is okay once we are asking (and trying). Sweden has rolled back its digital education push after years of doing so.
Society can also benefit if the question, “How can we improve?” is asked more. Too often, policies, politicians and plans are repeated, renewed and rehashed instead of being challenged. Yes, that worked before, but as times and conditions change, perhaps improvements to what was implemented previously can occur. Societal dialogues need to be directed to improvement.
Complaints are easy, but suggested betterments with details are more difficult. Polarisation is reduced if the focus is on improvement, as the person doing the improvement becomes less important to the results.
There is a comfort in steadiness, habits and familiarity. Yet evolution, progress and growth require change. There is a desire for simplicity, but simplicity does not mean complacency.
Awareness and reflection are necessary to help answer these questions. Sadly, awareness is quickly going away. Ubiquitous earbuds and screen usage mean that people are often unaware of what is happening around them. Reflection then becomes near impossible.
People have become so comfortable that the push to improve is significantly diminishing. That human need for purpose seems further away; no wonder mental health issues are on the rise.
Society has satisfied its physical needs at the expense of its mental and spiritual needs. Balance is needed. The right simple questions direct us to become better versions of ourselves, do things differently and grow.
So, when one hears “This is how XYZ has always been done”, ask “What are the other ways tried/possible?”
The idea is to explore possibilities. The right kind of simple questions can direct positive changes required at many levels.
Dr Mariano Carrera is a lecturer at International College at King Mongkut’s University of Technology, North Bangkok.