Thinker Spot

Elephants and fleas: Not something that one always associates with one another, nor a fiddler on one's roof. Having seen a production of this much-acclaimed play recently at the Nelson Mandela Civic Theatre in Johannesburg, I recalled Charles Handy writing about progress and change—a recurring theme throughout his works. By allowing us a glimpse into his own life, which he describes as a portfolio consisting of various categories, he reminds us that no new technologies will alter the dilemma we have with progress. In fact it might get more difficult. His Holiness the Dalai Lama reminds us in The Art of Happiness that change is part of life. While change is fraught with difficulties, which is necessary for growth, one needs to leave room for vantage points, perspectives, and perceptions to decide how difficult we perceive our existence to be. For many, however, capitalism and the modern world have not delivered on its promise for "the good life". Surely the culminating e...