Dynamism not “perfection”

Can Juan de la Cruz embrace dynamism?

Juan de la Cruz is an adult and takes life experience as a foundation – if he is to learn “new tricks.”

Enter: “Andragogy, i.e., the learner depends on self. It requires self-evaluation, direction, and self takes responsibility for the process.”

Consider: “Among our comparable ASEAN neighbors, we export the most negligible relative to the size of our economy, and it’s glaring. In 2021, Singapore’s exports amounted to 127 percent of its gross domestic product. The corresponding figure for Vietnam was 104, Malaysia 63, Thailand 54, and Indonesia 20 percent. Ours was a mere 14 percent.

“In times of global recession, such as is widely feared to be imminent now, this might be seen as a blessing in disguise, as we would have much less to lose when export markets shrink in the face of declining incomes. But this doesn’t mean we should not be trying to sell overseas much more than we’ve managed to.” [“Exporting more to more,” Cielito F. Habito, NO FREE LUNCH, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 25th Oct 2022]

Dynamism, not perfection, must be the mantra.

Economists tell us that economics is a cycle and global recessions demonstrate that it is so.

Recall that the blog defines the 21st century as one characterized by innovation and global competitiveness. And while that comes from my background and experience, it confirms the character of the universe, our world. For example, the galaxies are in constant motion and expansion.

And that brings to mind the 24/7 phenomenon that we call photosynthesis.

Let’s hold it right there.

Then consider our instincts, reflected in the Philippine caste system: We are parochial and insular. We value hierarchy and paternalism and rely on political patronage and oligarchy; ours is a culture of impunity.

Put another way, and we cannot intellectualize the challenge of change. The evidence?

“When the 1987 Constitution was under development, some Commission members included bans on foreign ownership of advertising agencies and media. Those stupid provisions of the 1987 Constitution must go.

“Why are we so insecure about our culture and ability to compete that we need total protection from foreign competitors? The problem, even in 1987, was that mass media was so international that a ban looked silly. What it did was benefit a few privileged folks.” [“Don’t ban. Compete!,” Boo Chanco, DEMAND AND SUPPLY, The Philippine Star, 24th Oct 2022]

Dynamism does not equate to perfection; thus, the adage, “perfect is the enemy of the good.” It is an aphorism that means insistence on perfection often prevents the implementation of good improvements. The Pareto principle, or 80–20 rule, explains this numerically. Aristotle and other classical philosophers propounded the “principle” of the golden mean, which counsels against extremism in general.” [Wikipedia]

In other words, given our values of hierarchy and paternalism, deference to authority explains why we can’t embrace dynamism. And why the blog never fails to recall Rizal’s admonition: We submit to tyranny because we love it.

Absent dynamism in our DNA, we are left but rationalize our inability to change. And we express it in various ways. For example, we keep debating democracy as though there is a perfect system.

And that also explains why innovation and global competitiveness are foreign to us.

Recall that the blog raises the continuum of democracy and autocracy. Because it is a continuum, it is not binary or dualistic thinking.

In other words, even the Western model of democracy is not absolute. But then again, dynamism, not perfection, must be the mantra.

What about innovation? The hierarchy of human needs is the bedrock of innovation. Innovation is not for innovation’s sake. It must address a human need. In the meantime, human needs are a continuum – physiological to self-actualization.

Consider the absolutism of despots or autocrats. But then again, why do empires come and go?

The universe we live in presupposes dynamism, not absolutism.

That also explains why Juan de la Cruz cannot fathom the Pareto principle. See above; perfect is the enemy of the good. Given our instincts and caste system, we can’t undo the crab mentality.

Why does the blog often distinguish the “real world” from the academic world? The former assumes a constant notion when the real world is 24/7.

Why can’t we execute AmBisyon or Arangkada or the scores of industry road maps we all celebrated? As the blog asserts, they are like dissertations, not real-world stuff.

Can Juan de la Cruz embrace dynamism?

Juan de la Cruz is an adult and takes life experience as a foundation – if he is to learn “new tricks.”

Enter: “Andragogy, i.e., the learner depends on self. It requires self-evaluation, direction, and self takes responsibility for the process.”

Then consider our instincts, reflected in the Philippine caste system: We are parochial and insular. We value hierarchy and paternalism and rely on political patronage and oligarchy; ours is a culture of impunity.

Put another way, and we cannot intellectualize the challenge of change.

Dynamism, not perfection, must be the mantra.

Gising bayan!