Many have tried to give predictions of what future has to offer. Technology advances are of particular interest to many of us as it affects our standard of living. So I thought I might give it a shot and share whatever I foresee with you so that you can have a measure of the current extent of my sanity.

It is said that we are now part of an information society. Some of the most popular advances in technology focuses on information and the flow of the same. Mobile phones, cellular networks, 3G, wifi, the internet and social networking etc focuses on leveraging IT for a better flow of information.

From my point of view whatever inventions or innovations we introduce is meant to be an extension of ourselves. I feel that, as things stand presently, human beings are cyborgs, an entity composed of biological and artificial components.

For example many of us nowadays carry mobile phones. These devices are extensions of our capability to send and receive information and are gradually becoming part of us. My prediction is, whatever interface there exists between the device and the human body is to dissolve at some point so that both merge into one single entity. If no interface exists between the body and the device, there will be no need for any traditional medium for transmitting information. People will no longer be required to issue sound waves to communicate for example, i.e people shall no longer feel the need to speak to each other.

We rely on the microchip and by extension computers because they are good at doing complex calculations in a tiny amount of time. For the computer to do any type of job, it requires intructions and data that are normally provided by the human. We use different types of devices like the mouse or the keyboard for the same. They are interfaces. I foresee that the microchip is also going to dissolve in the human body and remove the need for those interfaces. Why?  Because those interfaces are inefficient and do not allow us to send sufficiently large amounts of data per unit of time to be processed.

Lastly whatever device, that is to dissolve with the human body, shall in turn become biological. We are to have inter-alia, biological micro processors and biological communication devices within our body. Why? Because they are to also “naturally” evolve like the rest of our body.

My guess is that we are only a few decades away from those innovations else I maybe a few years away from a mental institution. Only time will tell.

The exact nature and complexity of people really surprises me. One assumption that often employers make is that money drives the motivation of their employees, the good old carrot and stick theory. I have seen many organisations use tactics like appraisals and performance bonuses to drive better performance.

Most organisations aim to direct people and expect compliance given that people are sufficiently remunerated. I guess that is a too simplistic way of making abstraction of what really motivates people to give their best.

For my part I believe that being listened to, to participate and being empowered to contribute beyond what is required is really important. I would rather participate to better meet objectives than being directed there.

Check out the video.

Today the “l’Alliance de l’Avenir” released their programme for the next five years.

The guiding principle of a new modern, equal and non discriminating economic order is what attracts me the most.

Imagine a world where your success is relative to your competence only and not according to your origins. Each and every Mauritian having access to enough opportunities to grow together.

The idea is not about taking from the rich and give to the poor. It is about empowering the poor so that they can participate actively in generating wealth. There is a pool of competence amongst the poor that has remained untapped because of lack of opportunities. (Remind’s me of Navin Ramgoolam’s school pal’s, Bill, le Cordonnier, story.) Obama is also engaged in the same fight with his reforms.

Democratization of the economy has already started. Opponents of the same have started a campaign to protect their ‘exclusive’ interests. These opponents have a stake in the press and have blatantly directed the same to influence public opinion.

Check out their programme.

For sure it is the kind of vision that really inspires me and gives me hope to for a Mauritius where everyone are equal and have their own share of opportunities. What are your views?

I have always been impressed and proud of Mauritius’ rich cultural diversity. Our forefathers have hailed from different continents, and at the same time have brought along their own culture with them. I am utterly impressed and proud when I see how the essence of their culture has been preserved. My opinion is that the integration of those different cultures has evolved into what we can call the Mauritian culture. Mauritian culture is also about what we have in common, the most blatant example would be our common language the Kreol. Check out the ‘nou pay, nou la bierre’ ad, it also very effectively portrays Mauritian culture.

Although I believe that it is very important to promote our common culture (for example I believe that Kreol should be taught at school), I feel that it is fundamental to preserve our ancestral culture. Recently I have become even more interested in the richness of our culture diversity.

The most recent example was during the Chinese spring festival, I had the privilege to witness a real display of culture at its best, a lion dance. Neat colorful costumes and acrobatics were a real feast for the eyes. The drums were enchanting to the soul. The best part was that the whole performance was driven by young people.

Another example was a fire-walking ceremony I witnessed for the first time a few months ago. It was a crescendo of drums and a real bouquet of colours. The drums were handled by young people who skillfully managed to drive the beat of everyone’s heart.

I could equally add all the festivals that we celebrate every year like Christmas, Maha Shivratree, Eid, Ougadi etc. My point is that these kinds of display of culture utterly shouts out aloud about our identity. Having the young perpetuating our ancestral culture is something we can really be proud of.

Unfortunately I can foresee impending threats to the preservation of our ancestral culture. We all know that religion is intimately linked to ancestral culture. Without the support of religion, ancestral culture can crumble and at the same time our identity.

I do not want to hurt anyone’s feelings but it is a fact that foreign sects are slowly gaining ground. Missionaries are popping out everywhere like mushrooms with aim of turning everyone into Ned Flanders (I know I chose a really lame joke to illustrate). Do not get me wrong, I believe in freedom of thought and freedom of religion. But I am really concerned, when I see the weak and the ill being targeted and thus by extension entire generations of people.

Some close to me have unfortunately fallen pray to these tactics. They have been stripped of their ancestral culture streaming from ancient civilisations and thus lost their identity. Their future generations are doomed in a similar way.

I know that our ancestral culture is strong but if we let go, I can foresee uniformity, I foresee the fading of our ancestral culture and traditions and I foresee utter dullness. As Chinua Achebe puts it so well “Things fall apart“.

I do not condone any acts of intimidation against anyone practicing the religion they choose. Instead a better way would be to reinforce our ancestral culture and the structures behind. For my part I am to participate and contribute  further in the enhancement of my ancestral culture, so that my children can inherit from the same and perpetuate diversity. In this way we can ensure that our identity is to prevail.