Replying to LO24944 --
At de Lange asked a "for some strange question" in "Our LO Dialogue Here
LO24944 [complex]":
>When I imitate or align myself with the authentic learning of someone else
>so as to extend my own experiences and thus break through the
>irrationality, is it still rote learning?
In simpler words, a still striking questions remains: What is the role of
imitation in learning?
And I think it wouldn't have striked me without my living in Japan during
childhood.
In Japan, imitation is valued high as a mean of education, be it during
childhood, school, company training or mastering any kind of arts.
Here in Germany, we have the 'not invented here' syndrome: Only our own
original work counts. The word 'imitation' has a bad sound.
>From these cultural differences, there is the danger of a clash of imitation
>as good VERSUS imitation as bad. Examples would be:
>creativity versus imitation
>originality versus imitation
>inner coherence versus imitation
But I think this would be an example of 'free energy used up in different
fires without warming'. May be there are different kinds of imitation,
let's say 'constructive imitation' and 'destructive imitation' like in
constructive creativity versus destructive creativity mastering complexity
versus degenerate into simplicity authentic learning versus rote learning
Then pro-imitation (apply constructive imitation) in Japan and
contra-imitation (avoid destructive imitation) in Germany are for the sake
of the same goal: AUTHENTIC LEARNING.
--- Let me add some symmetry to the asymmetry: ---
Here in Germany, originality is valued high as a mean of education, be it
during childhood, school, company training or mastering any kind of arts.
In Japan, they have the 'hammer in outstanding nails' syndrome: Only work
that reaches past complexity counts. The word 'originality' has a bad
sound.
>From these cultural differences, there is the danger of a clash of
>originality as good VERSUS originality as bad. Examples would be:
>respect versus originality
>discipline versus originality
>consistence with tradition versus originality
But I think this would be an example of 'free energy used up in different
fires without warming'. May be there are different kinds of originality,
let's say 'constructive originality' and 'destructive originaltiy' like in
constructive respectfulness versus destructive respectfulness mastering
complexity versus degenerate into simplicity authentic learning versus
rote learning
Then pro-originality (apply constructive originality) in Germany and
contra-originality (avoid destructive originality) in Japan are for the
sake of the same goal: AUTHENTIC LEARNING.
-----
Now we have an asymmetric choice from this symmetry:
Shall we support our authentic learning by learning additional
constructive skills while sharpening our minds to discover further
destructive pitfalls?
Or will we exhaust our free energy in a fight of blaming, remaining slaves
of the VERSUS?
Liebe Gruesse,
Winfried
P.S.: For those who read up to here, but who are now wondering what the
practical implications are for business life, I recommend to have a look
at Built to Last by Collins and Porras. They call the latter choice
'Tyranny of the OR' and suggest to 'Embrace the Genius of the AND'.
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