Everyday reflections, politics, culture, and life beyond tech.
A reflection on one of Padre Quevedo's most thought-provoking interviews
In an interview, writer and professor Olavo de Carvalho presents a very critical view of Brazilian education and the role the State should play in this process. For him, one of Brazil's big problems lies in how we view education. While in some countries a person can build a dignified life through work even without an academic background, in Brazil the diploma often functions as a kind of passport to dignity and social mobility. This difference completely changes how society regards studying.
Karate Kid was never really about fighting. The actors, like Pat Morita, were not professional fighters, unlike Ian Griffith, who had martial arts experience. What made the story wonderful went far beyond the fights and the romance. It was in Mr. Miyagi's wisdom and in what we can call Miyagism, a philosophy based on balance, discipline, patience, and self-knowledge.
The success of democracy depends not only on institutions but also on the average level of education, critical thinking, and political awareness within a society, my opinion is that everyone in a democracy has the right to vote. However, they also have the responsibility to educate themselves and understand their vote by learning the basics, such as each party's plans.
