As millennial from a well educated family, growing up in city known for its technological exploits and fluid intelligence, I always thought education was the key to bringing the world together and finding solutions to issues that were curbing human growth and development. As a high schooler, I valued internet as much as I valued food, and I thought that sharing it with every part of the world would solve Earth’s issues of poverty, malnutrition, and disease. I was all for projects like Internet.org.
Over the past two years, in parallel with the political race, I’ve noticed my naïveté. One of the Obama Administration’s goals was to make internet more accessible, and they have accomplished that. 98% of Americans have access to the internet. However, 20% of Americans refuse to use it. Even though internet is accessible to almost all, ignorance is still rampant in America. Some American’s still believe in ancient visualizations of third world countries. Some Americans refuse to believe that the weather is more extreme than it has been in the last century. And some people, myself included, will continue to consume junk foods like Hersey’s chocolate, Cheetos or Coke even though we are well aware of the outrageously detrimental health side effects.
Professor Blalock’s talk on the adoption of cook stoves was altogether very intriguing, surprising, and affirmative. In summary, his research and work showed that culture, upbringing, and tradition won out over education. As a mechanical engineer interested in dedicating her life to the development of underdeveloped countries, I’ve read a lot about organizations who have developed everything from cost effective water purifiers to business opportunities for women. I’ve always wondered why these initiatives haven’t been effective. Is it corruption? Lack of communication or education?
It was extremely powerful to hear first hand about an initiative just like the ones in the articles I’ve read. It was interesting to hear about the process the team used for adoption. It was really interesting to hear the problems they faced. But it was most interesting to hear about the information they gathered from the initiative.
That in order to make new habits, it is vital to make new traditions first.
Hey Priyanka! Cool post! I attended this Rose Cafe as well, and it really forced me to think about human nature. Garrick’s comparison of Americans and Priuses to cook stoves in African villages was really powerful. I agree with what you said about tradition typically winning over education. People are innately stubborn, and change is hard. In the conclusion of your post, you said “That in order to make new habits, it is vital to make new traditions first.” Do you think this is possible, though?