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The Mathew Effect

The Matthew effect describes a situation where those who already have an advantage, like wealth, knowledge, or social status, tend to accumulate even more advantage over time. The term comes from the Gospel of Matthew (25:29): "For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath." Here are some specific areas where the Matthew effect can be seen: Education : Students who start school with strong reading skills tend to improve faster, while those who struggle initially fall further behind. Science : Established scientists tend to get more credit for research, even if the work was done by lesser-known colleagues. Networks : People with higher social status often have access to powerful networks of connections. Intergenerational Mobility : Children born into privilege are more likely to maintain or improve their social status than those born into poverty. The Matthew effect play...

Immigration

Migration is the movement of people from one place to another with the intention of settling permanently or temporarily. Migration can happen over long distances, like between countries, or over shorter distances, like from a rural area to a city within the same country. Internal migration, movement within a country, is more common type of migration globally. People migrate for a complex mix of reasons, a combination of pushing factors and pulling factors. Push factors make people feel forced to leave their homes. These can include: Economic hardship : Lack of jobs, low wages, or natural disasters that destroy livelihoods can drive people to seek opportunity elsewhere. Violence and conflict : War, persecution, or gang violence can make a place too dangerous to stay. Environmental factors : Droughts, floods, and other climate change effects can threaten people's access to food, water, and safety. Pull factors are the things that attract people to a new location. These can inc...

Liberal Democracy

Liberal democracy is a type of government that combines elements of democracy and liberalism. In democray ultimate power lies with the people, citizens have the right to choose their representatives through regular elections and citizens have opportunities to participate in the political process beyond voting. In liberalism fundamental rights and freedoms are protected, all citizens are subject to the law, the government's power is restricted by a constitution or other legal framework, power is divided among different branches of government (legislative, executive, judiciary) to prevent abuse and each branch has mechanisms to limit the power of the others, ensuring no single entity holds absolute control. Civic engagement is the lifeblood of a healthy liberal democracy. A well-functioning democracy requires an informed citizenry. Engaged citizens educate themselves on the issues, different perspectives, and potential consequences of various policies. This allows for more thoughtf...

Common Sense

Common sense is the good judgment used in everyday situations. It is the kind of practical knowledge that is necessary to navigate the world without needing any special training or expertise. Common sense helps you make decisions that are likely to lead to a good outcome in everyday situations. It applies to the usual things you encounter in daily life. It's a kind of knowledge that most people are assumed to have. This makes communication and interaction smoother because you don't have to explain every basic thing. Common sense isn't the same as knowledge you get from specific education or fields. It's more about using general reasoning and experience to make sound judgments. The word "common sense" has roots in ancient Greek philosophy. They used the term "koine aisthesis" which translates to "common perception". This concept focused on shared experiences and how our senses helped us understand the world around us. There would definit...

Ideology

An ideology is a system of beliefs or philosophies that explain the world and offer a prescription for changing it. It is a shared way of understanding and navigating society, politics, and economics. Ideologies attempt to explain how the world works, including its history, present state, and potential future. They offer solutions and recommendations for how to achieve a desired future, often through specific policies or actions. Ideologies are typically shared by a group of people who see the world in similar ways and value similar things. The goal is not just intellectual understanding, but to translate beliefs into action and create change. Ideologies can be seen as a frameworks for understanding the world, with no inherent good or bad. It can also be viewed as tools used by powerful groups to maintain their dominance. Ideologies are not monolithic. They can evolve over time in response to changing circumstances. It is crucial to critically examine any ideology, considering its st...

Addiction

Addiction is a complex condition characterized by compulsive engagement in rewarding behaviors despite negative consequences. It can involve substances like drugs and alcohol, or activities like gambling and gaming. Here are some key aspects of addiction: Compulsive behavior : A strong urge to engage in the addictive behavior, even if they know it will cause harm. Loss of control : Struggle to control the frequency or duration of the behavior, and may find it difficult to quit even if they want to. Cravings : Intense cravings for the substance or activity, which can be difficult to resist. Tolerance : Over time, need to increase the amount of the substance or the intensity of the activity to achieve the same desired effect (tolerance). Withdrawal : Stop engaging in the behavior causes withdrawal symptoms, which can be physical or psychological. Negative consequences : Negative impact on many aspects of a person's life, including their physical and mental health, relationship...

Cognitive Bias

Cognitive bias refers to a systematic pattern of deviation from norm or rationality in judgment. It happens when our brains use mental shortcuts to process information and make decisions quickly and efficiently. While these shortcuts are often helpful, they can also lead to inaccurate judgments and flawed thinking. Cognitive biases are not random errors but predictable patterns in how we think. They can lead to judgments that are not based on logic or evidence. We are often unaware of how biases influence our thinking. Common cognitive biases are: Confirmation bias Confirmation bias refers to our tendency to favor information that supports our existing beliefs, while ignoring or downplaying information that contradicts them. We tends to filter out information that doesn't fit our beliefs and we get a skewed and incomplete picture of the world. When making choices, we're more likely to consider evidence that aligns with our existing views, potentially leading to suboptima...

History of Entertainment

Entertainment can be understood in a few different ways. Broad Definition : Activity or experience that holds the attention and interest of an audience or gives pleasure and delight. This encompasses a vast range of experiences, from watching a movie to playing a game to attending a concert. Functional Definition : A way to escape from the day-to-day routines and stressors of life. Entertainment provides a break from responsibilities and allows us to relax, recharge, and enjoy ourselves. Social Definition : A shared activity or experience that brings people together. Entertainment can be a powerful tool for fostering social connection and creating shared memories. Psychological Definition : An activity that evokes emotions and engages our cognitive faculties. Entertainment can be exciting, funny, thought-provoking, or even scary, depending on the type of experience it provides. The history of entertainment is a fascinating journey through human creativity and technological innovat...

Social Hierarchy

A social hierarchy is a system of social organization in which some individuals enjoy a higher social status than others. Social hierarchies exist in all societies, and they can be based on a variety of factors, such as wealth, power, prestige, and occupation. There are two main types of social hierarchies. The open social hierarchies are those in which individuals can move up or down the social ladder based on their own merit or achievements. The closed social hierarchies are those in which individuals are born into their social position and cannot change it. We can see hierarchies in all walks of life in the past and the present. In feudal societies, it was based on land ownership. In caste societies, it is determined by birth and remains fixed for life. In class societies, it is based on wealth, power, and prestige. In the workplace, it can be based on factors such as job title, salary, and seniority. In schools, it can be based on factors such as popularity, athletic ability, and...

Myths and Legends

Myths and legends are both traditional stories that have been passed down through generations. Myths are typically set in a time before history, or in a timeless realm. They often feature gods, heroes, or superhuman beings, and they explain natural phenomena or the origins of human customs and beliefs. Myths are often symbolic and can be interpreted on multiple levels. Myths are often characterized by their fantastical elements and their use of symbolism to convey deeper meanings. They are passed down through generations, often orally, and can evolve over time. Legends, on the other hand, are typically set in the historical past or in a specific location. They often feature real people or places, but the stories have been exaggerated or embellished over time to become more fantastical and exaggerated. Legends may explain historical events, natural phenomena, or the origins of local customs. They are often based on a kernel of truth, but they have been embellished over time to becom...

Are humans selfish?

There is a great deal of evidence to suggest that humans are indeed selfish creatures. For example, we often engage in behaviors that are designed to benefit ourselves, even at the expense of others. This can be seen in everything from our competitive nature to our tendency to cheat or lie to get ahead. Additionally, we often make decisions that are based on our own personal gain, even when we know that those decisions will have negative consequences for others. There is also evidence to suggest that humans are capable of great altruism and selflessness. For example, we often donate to charity, volunteer our time to help others, and put ourselves at risk to save others. We also form strong social bonds with others and are willing to sacrifice for the sake of our loved ones and communities. There are many different theories about the origins of human selfishness. Some believe that it is an innate trait, while others believe that it is learned through experience. Some of the most commo...

What do we want?

Human beings need many things to survive and thrive. Some of the most basic needs include: Food and water : Humans need to eat and drink regularly to survive. Shelter : Humans need a safe place to live and sleep. Clothing : Humans need clothing to protect themselves from the elements and to maintain their body temperature. Sleep : Humans need to sleep regularly to rest and repair their bodies and minds. Healthcare : Humans need access to healthcare to maintain their health and prevent and treat illness. In addition to these basic needs, humans also have a number of social and emotional needs, including: Love and belonging : Humans need to feel loved and accepted by others. We need to feel like we belong to a family, community, or other social group. Safety and security : Humans need to feel safe and secure in their environment. This includes feeling physically safe and having a sense of emotional security. Purpose and meaning : Humans need to feel like their lives have meani...

Divisions in the Society

Divisiveness in society is the state of being divided or separated into factions or groups with opposing opinions or beliefs. It can be caused by a number of factors like: differences in values and beliefs, afraid or uncertain about the future, or lack of communication. In the past when the tribal culture was the way of life people were more focused on cohesiveness rather than divisiveness. Tribal culture was based on the shared values and beliefs of a group of people who are descended from a common ancestor. Tribal cultures are often characterized by a strong sense of community, a close connection to the land, and a respect for tradition. It made possible for people to communicate with each other, to cooperate on shared goals, and to live together in peace But there were divisions in the tribal society also caused by factors like geography, history and religion. These tribal divisions have often led to conflict and violence. In tribal culture unity and sense of community was essent...

Secularism of India

India is the land of many religions, languages and customs. Many philosophers are born here. Many religions started here. Modern India is the result of a division based on religious lines. The partition was succeeded by one of the worst human tragedies in world history. Mass migration and communal violence left millions dead. It also made scars in the minds of the people and even after half a century the wound are not healed. Religion and spirituality are very important for the Indians. From the history we can see that the successful rulers of the past understand the importance of tolerance among different sects and communities with different faith and customs. Emperor Ashoka (273 BC-232 BC) had been ruled a large centralized empire that ran from present day Afghanistan to Mysore in South India . Diverse communities, regions, cultures and sects inhabited in his empire had differences of opinion expressed in direct and antagonistic ways amongst the various religious sect...

Social Issues of India

Even though colonialism and British barbarianism are the major reasons for the decline of India ’s wealth, prosperity and technological advancement, there are some socio-cultural issues made it easier for the colonialists and accelerated its impact. Religious customs and social framework made possible the independent self-sufficient communal villages of ancient India . But the restrictions on travel, education, division of labor and social customs restricts people from acquiring skills necessary for the self improvement and social advancement. Division of labor among the members is necessary for a self-sufficient independent community. But this division should be based on skills and experience rather than color of the skin or family. The possibility to change labor and class will allow competition to acquire skills and further advance technological achievements. In ancient Indian society the system of social stratification and social restrictions was mainly based on labor alone...