Empowerment through knowledge

I hold a strong conviction that knowledge is power. Knowledge encompasses not only the knowledge obtained through formal education, but also the knowledge obtained through books, movies, television and social interactions, as well as the intuitive knowledge gained through analysis of data. Knowledge is defined as the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning.

Formal education is still the core process for the inculcation of knowledge. Infact, a recent survey of economists has shown that education is the key economic issue. An educated society is the first step towards achieving utopia.

Critics often regard subjects such as history, civics, etc., as unnecessary or useless. They argue brilliantly that we don't use this knowledge in our daily lives, hence it is useless to learn it. Most people don't use calculus either, yet that is perceived as important. Subjects like history actually help in shaping the mind of a student. Anyone even remotely familiar with history can see that history tends to repeat itself. WW1 was followed by WW2. Knowledge about what went on in the past will shape the future. It is said that one must experience misery in order to appreciate happiness. Similarly, one has to know the darkness that engulfed humanity in the past in order to strive for a bright and peaceful future.

Books are the main source for knowledge. Fairy tales and children's books influence the perceptions of a child, swaying him into the socially accepted values and developing positive traits. Non-fiction serves the same purpose.

The visualization of books, movies, has currently become a highly influential media for spreading knowledge. People not in the habit of reading books derive their knowledge from watching movies and documentaries. However, since movies don't generally leave much to the imagination, they kill creativity. Creativity stems from imagination. Even then, movies are comparable to books as a source of knowledge.

Humans being social animals, social interactions also play a key role in knowledge assimilation. A healthy debate or discussion deepens our understanding as well as widens the horizon of our perception. The synergistic effects of brainstorming cannot be denied.

Education, media and social interactions are the tools for gaining knowledge. Granted. How does knowledge lead to empowerment?

Take the case of the presidential candidates. What wins the election for them is the ability to convince the voters that they are competent and will make good use of their position of power. Knowledge serves them here. The more knowledgeable and extraverted person has an edge in the polls.

An inventor or scientist comes up with groundbreaking technology by comparing and experimenting with already available knowledge. In these highly specialized fields, knowledge is at a premium and goes a long way towards harnessing the creative energy of the researcher.

Social issues like the empowerment of women in India, abolition of child labour, AIDS awareness are also tackled by providing knowledge because only with knowledge comes empowerment.

So, start collecting knowledge. It empowers you, makes you more confident when you take decisions and best of all, it can never be taken away from you.