Reference no: EM133339502

The problem, of course, is that what is known is not always the same as what is demonstrated or practiced. Although we have known about the principles of effective relationships and positive values for a very long time, the history of humankind illustrates that these principles have not always been practiced.

Dr. Moorehead describes the challenges humankind faces it this way:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers,wider freeways but narrower viewpoints. We spend more but have less; we buy more but enjoy it less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences but less time. We have more degrees but less sense; more knowledge but less judgment; more experts but more problems; more medicine but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry too quickly, stay up too late, get too tired, read too seldom, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We have learned how to make a living but not a life; we've added years to life but not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor. We've conquered outer space but not inner space.

We've done larger things but not better things. We've cleaned up the air but polluted the soul. We've split the atom but not our prejudice. We write more but learn less. We plan more but accomplish less. We've learned to rush but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information to produce more copies than ever but have less communication. These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion; tall men and short character; steep profits and shallow relationships.

These are the times of world peace but domestic warfare; more leisure but less fun;more kinds of food but less nutrition. These are the days of two incomes but moredivorce, of fancier houses but broken homes. These are the days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throw-away morality, one-night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer to quiet to kill. It is a time when there is much in the show window and nothing in the stockroom. (Moorehead, n.d.)

Questions:

Are you in agreement with the author's provocative depiction of this paradox of value? In his strong depiction of our situation, how has he hit or missed the mark (i.e. target)? Regardless if you disagree or agree as a whole, I'd ask that you make a sincere effort to offer a balanced critique in your response.

As a manager, how does this paradox of value he gives example of shape your thinking about the current state of the world currently and in the future (where is there room for change)?