The selfie and new ways to be narcissistic

Look at this video below:

sorority-sisters-taking-selfies

Someone paid money for those major league tickets and they are not even paying attention.

Twitter is full of selfies for the sake of the selfie. In nightclubs the first things people do is whip out their phones and take selfies, and they do that all night to the point where the DJ has to remind them the dance floor is empty.

Selfie is even a word in the dictionary now.

“Selfie: A photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a smartphone or webcam and shared via social media” Oxford dictionary http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/selfie

How can you enjoy the great music at that concert if you are too busy taking selfies?

This is not a scientific article; it is more of a rant because I have witnessing some really messed up behavior when it comes to selfies.

Dr Flavius A B Akerele III

The ETeam

PS, there is no reason to take a selfie while driving, you almost killed me and did not even know

Selfie

Definitions and labels

Politics are once again upon us, and because of social media, it is hard to avoid the vitriol that is being spewed. People are throwing labels at each other back and forth like insults. For example:

·         “you liberal weakling”

·         “you conservative caveman”

These are the tame ones; and what I find most interesting is that most folks do not understand what they truly mean or sand for. You cannot separate your right brain from your left brain, these labels are part of the same coin, and you need both of them.

Conservative, according Merriam-Webster: “believing in the value of established and traditional practices in politics and society: relating to or supporting political conservatism”

Liberal, according to Merriam-Webster: “believing that government should be active in supporting social and political change: relating to or supporting political liberalism”

Let me ask you some questions:

·         Do you think slavery was a good thing?

·         Do you appreciate the woman’s right to vote?

·         Do you believe government should interfere with who you have sex with?

·         Do you believe in each man for himself and God for us all or do you believe everyone needs a hand sometimes?”

·         Do you think the police have the right to kill citizens without cause?

·         Do you think lunatics should have guns?

·         Would you defend your family in a home invasion?

·         Do you want your 13 year old daughter dating?

·         Do you believe in the American dream?

·         Do you dislike people simply because of their skin color?

·         Do you judge people based upon appearances?

·         Do you understand what Christian values are?

I suspect most normal folks will answer along similar lines with these questions, even though some of the answers will but you in category you might not consider yourself. The truth of the matter is people spend too much time trying to label themselves and each other, that they fail to realize that no person (unless they are an extremist) all conservative, or all liberal. If that was the case, we would still have slavery women would not be able to vote, and Jim Crow would still be strong.

Nowhere in either of those labels is the term jerk written.

Jerk, according to Merriam-Webster:” a stupid person or a person who is not well-liked or who treats other people badly” (there is another term we can use but I need to be polite, but I am sure you can guess)

My point is this: in politics, is it really necessary to be so rude an uncivil to somebody because they choose a different label then you? Do you have to be a jerk? That does not sound like Christian values to me…

Dr Flavius A B Akerele III

The ETeam

Here is some light reading for you:

http://hubpages.com/politics/How-Do-Political-Labels-Define-And-Divide-Us

Do your employees know they are valued?

In a professional environment, it is important that treat your employees as the professionals and subject matter experts that they are, and that you show them some appreciation from time to time.

Yes, we would all love to just throw money at our employees, but not only is that not feasible, it is also not always necessary.

Try saying "good job" every so often, or find some way to openly acknowledge your employees contributions. Stop by their desk and tell them in person that you appreciate them. 

If the only time and employee sees you is when you want to get on their case about minor issues, then you are missing the boat.

Your employees are your most valuable asset, treat them as such.

Dr Flavius A B Akerele III

The ETeam

IT IS OK TO BE POLITE

It seems like people are confusing common courtesy with being politically correct (especially on social media). Why is it so difficult to say things like: "good morning", "please", and "thank you"?

Why is it when organizations and people do something wrong, the first thought is to "CYA", also known as "cover your assets"?

Can you imagine how many lawsuits could be prevented and how much money could be saved on settlements if police officers would just say sorry when they screw up?

Can you imagine a political debate where they actually debate using Roberts Rules of Order, and they are courteous to each other? News flash, the American people do not want to see grown men up on stage fighting like schoolyard bullies!

Education, road rage, shopping, networking, dating, etc, etc; would all be so much easier if we just remember this one simple thing:

It is OK to be polite.

Dr Flavius A B Akerele III
The ETeam

Who is the “black community”? A basic education question

I should start by saying that nowhere in the world is the term “black community” used more than the United States; and there are many other countries in the world with people with dark skin and of African descent.

I have had some interesting and spirited discussions with people recently in this very early election cycle; elections always seem to bring out the worst in people, especially on social media. Anyway, I am often told “the black community needs to stop listening to rap music and stop black on black crime” (or some variation of that); these people doing the telling do not know me from Adam, the only thing they see is dark skin and they make an ASSumption (ass out of u and umption not me).

Since when does the color of one’s skin determine who they are, how they vote, what music they listen to, and how they are supposed to (or will behave)? While there is a common thread with the majority of African- Americans because of slavery, that in itself does not make a community; especially when you factor in the size of the United States. More recently in the U.S, there has been an influx of African immigrants who experiences, expectations, and culture have further change the dark skin color landscape. A religion like Judaism can be considered and create community because it is probably the religion most widely tied to a culture (Islam and Christianity vary widely by region).

Are all people with white skin supposed to be responsible for all white on white crime? Are all people with white skin supposed to be responsible for all the atrocities committed throughout history by other people with white skin? Obvious answer: so why then would you hold people with dark skin responsible for every crime committed? The answer to that is simple, you do not know any people with dark skin, and your perceptions are based upon fourth hand information at best. Perhaps you should exam poverty; the results might surprise you.

The continent of Africa where most people in the world with dark skin originated from (probably everyone but let’s keep it simple), is probably the most culturally diverse place in the world. In the country of Nigeria alone there are approximately 100 languages spoken there; languages not dialects. Skin color does not make a culture, it does not make everyone brothers or sisters, it does not means we are all the same.

People with dark skin are as diverse as there are grains of sand on a beach (even in the U.S) so do not see me and think you know me; and if you are someone with dark skin that applies to you as well. Do not expect me to know or even like the latest chart topping music; do not say that I am not “black enough” because you have been insulated in a bubble all your life. I do not blame you for your insulation and ignorance, but I do expect you to learn and expand your horizons.

So back to the topic, the term “black community” is a misnomer because it is based upon a perception of culture based on a spectrum of skin colors, and it is no more correct than the “white community”.

One of these days, the United States will truly reconcile its racial divide (there will be no choice if we want to continue to grow and prosper), and it starts not just by acknowledging it, but also truly working on it. Lip service to the problem does not count, dismissing and saying we are post-racial does not work, and perpetuating the system makes it worse (there is a system).

We have the tools, we have the people, and we have the ability to correct all this; but do we have the will yet?

Dr Flavius A B Akerele III

The ETeam

Voter turnout in a “developed” country

Do you realize that during this election cycle, the media is reporting the possibility of one of the highest voter turnouts in recent history? The most recent highest number was (drumroll) 62.3% (2012 election)! You were expecting a much bigger number weren’t you because I know I certainly was!

That is it? That is a large voter turnout? You mean you have the right to vote and get involved in your democracy and you do not? Oh, by the way, that was for a presidential election; state and local politics turnouts tend to be so much lower, or even non-existent.

Now of course the stats might vary a little, depending on the survey, but the amount is not statistically significant enough to cheer for:

·         U.S Voter turnout trails most developed countries: http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/05/06/u-s-voter-turnout-trails-most-developed-countries/

·         Here are 58 countries that had better turnouts—the percentage of voting-age population that voted—than the US in their most recent presidential elections, as compiled by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance: http://qz.com/24186/58-countries-with-better-voter-turnout-than-the-united-states/

There are some countries such as Australia that fines its citizens for not voting. Do we have to resort to that to get people interested in casting a ballot? But what really gets me is that the people who tend to complain the most, often did not vote even though they can (not scientifically proven, but statistically makes sense)!

I am not saying you should be canvasing for a candidate, I am not saying you need to give to already costly and expensive campaigns; what I am saying is please register, and then please vote in every election that affects you (if you can).

Food for thought…

Dr Flavius A B Akerele III

The ETeam