How do you identify yourself?
This isn't a trick question, nor does it come with any judgement one way or the other. This is a reflective experience. Because often we identify ourselves among a few different themes like; race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexuality, religion, and our bodies. Black, white, nationality, rich, poor, male, female, other, straight, gay, other, Christian, Muslim, Atheist, tall, short, skinny, fat....
It is an endless game of division.
I was reading how the Trump has mandated that all truck drivers (and professional drivers?) have to speak English, which seems to be a common sense rule, in a country where the official language is English. However, a lot is transported by truck in Europe too, so just imagine if a truck driver had to speak the local language of every country they pass through - could you do it? But, English is the dominant language in the international world of trade today, so it does make sense that some level of English is spoken.
At least historically.
Language is a big part of our personal identity, but it is a fluid part of society, as it is always changing. Even when it comes to people of the same nationality, there can be very large differences in vernacular. So when a mandate is to be able to "speak English" (or whatever the local language is) what is meant by that - the English that is spoken in government, or in the ghettos? Are the standardized language tests "inclusive" of the full range of a nation's vernacular?
This conversation is soon to be moot.
For a long time already, when people travel abroad to countries they don't speak the language, they have relied on translation applications to be able to both understand and get their point across. Over a decade ago I used Google to speak to the workers at a French train station, and they have only gotten better and more integrated since then. Very soon, other than the brain benefits of speaking multiple languages, learning a language to be able to function in especially professional fields, is going to be irrelevant. A truck driver doesn't need to even small talk, they just need to be able to convey the necessary information for deliveries and pickups, and understand directions.
For fifty-plus years in science-fiction we have had concepts like the "universal Translator" in Star Trek, where it was possible to speak with "alien" languages, and we are very close to that point now with foreign languages. This is in many ways, a cultural revolution that should bring into question the concept of identity based on languages spoken. Language, at least at the functional interpersonal level, becomes irrelevant. And it won't be far behind that people from different language groups will be able to communicate with each other clearly and with a very high degree of accuracy on translation and meaning, across any topic, no matter how complicated it might be.
I can't work in Finnish.
My language skills are far too low. And I also understand what it is like to try and build social connection with my Finnish. The conversation is very different than if I was speaking English, and being married to a Finn, I know that my wife also struggles at times to fully convey herself to me, despite her English being brilliant. She can't fully express herself, but she will pass all the English tests. Similarly, I have friends who are non-native Finnish speakers, but they also feel they can't express themselves fully.
And mothers mother in their native tongue.
Yet, the conversation about "professional language" requirements is still something that is unnecessary and should be eradicated. What should happen is that instead of using language as a differentiator between people, use the ability to perform the necessary tasks of the job. As language is no longer (or soon not to be) a significant limiting factor, look at factors that are specific to that role, like driving ability for truck drivers. And even that is getting iffy, as self-driving vehicles will get more ubiquitous.
And perhaps you see the problem with a lot of the talk around skills for jobs, because technology is rapidly replacing the need for people to possess these skills anyway. Self-driving vehicles are probably already better than the average driver, and will ultimately be better than all human drivers - even the very best. Even the most gifted mathematician, can't out calculate a calculator.
And a lot of the professional skills we judge humans upon, are calculatable. This means that they are complicated problems to solve, but once solved, are highly replicable. Language is just a code. Driving is just a code.
And perhaps this is why so much of the identity conversation is around differentiators that don't at least seem codifiable, like colour of skin, or sexual orientation. We are looking for ways to remain relevant, by seeking refuge in identities that we feel can't be taken away from us, even though they are quite irrelevant and should have little to no bearing on our humanity.
And this makes me question something...
If so many of the identifiers we use are fluid and changing to the point that they die and stop evolving, like the Latin language, then what factors of humanness are important? There is of course the things that are "important right now" in society, but a lot of what matters is very hard to verify and validate. For instance, perhaps what we should be thinking about in terms of identifying factors and value to society are in areas that are subjective, rather than what is objective at the skill level.
Do you identify as a good person?
Does being a good person matter in today's world, or because it is subjective, and because it doesn't add economic value, it has been minimized? What are the factors included in the evaluation of what a good person is? How do you decide that your ranking on a scale of good to bad?
Does it matter how well you speak English?
We are moving into an unchartered global opportunity, where we will increasingly have to make decisions on what we consider valuable in society. Currently, the drive is to favour the financial economic value of behaviour, but it should be that as more and more economic activities are taken out of the hands of humans, we will have to start evaluating ourselves and others based on what role a person plays in the community itself - are you a force for positive growth, or of social contraction?
And what is the reward for being good?
We all act on incentive.
Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]
I think the bigger question should be why is he wasting his time with stuff that isn't that important? I'm not saying that setting universal standards and things like that aren't important, but when we are in the middle of a fiscal crisis why is that the most important thing for POTUS to be dealing with? I have a boss right now who likes to do the fun stuff, but other more important stuff gets ignored. It's frustrating and a bad management of priorities I think.
I think the answer to that is that it is important to Trump and his circle and it all points to one very well known ideology: "Ein Volk, Ein Reich, Ein Führer"
He does seem to take some lessons from dictators and tyrants.
I think Trump is just doing random things to make some group of society (that doesn't think too much) cheer him. He does lots of these largely useless things to get large amounts of people to cheer him. But it should be remembered, that there is life after Trump too, and technology is going to impact on us all regardless.
Yes, you are probably right. It's all about ego and division.
Sounds like a psychology book!
I don't speak perfect English, even after thirty years in America if you count my one year as an exchange student I still have a clearly identifiable Russian/Eastern European accent. That didn't prevent me from making a career in USA as Principal Software Engineer and then Solutions Architect.
I did have to pass an English, History, Civics exam when I got my US citizenship and I think that is perfectly justifiable. If you want to be a citizen you have a responsibility to fully understand the history, and how the country really operates and for that you have to learn some things including a basic command of the language.
I don't think you have to be perfect at speaking a language, but you have to be good enough to be fully productive or at least be able to utilize modern tools effectively to be able to understand others and communicate.
Race, skin color, gender, sexual orientation are distractions in my opinion. There is only one color in America: Green. Or the color of a $ :)
How many Americans born in the country would pass? :D
I agree - my point is that the tools are changing rapidly and becoming ever easier to utilize on the fly, so why focus so much on the language, when more effort could be put into improving more valuable skills?
Yep. And it is a global position.
In a globalised system, communication is essential. For me, the universal language is music, as well as mathematics. But that doesn't universally solve the problem, does it? I believe that in the future one language will be spoken fluently all over the world, it will be English, Spanish, or Mandarin, maybe none of them. It is possible that the evolution of the same human being by globalisation effect and unconsciously, future generations will be born with this universal ‘code’. My best wishes for health to reign in each one of you.
The thing is, that one language doesn't need to be spoken, many can and it can be translated on the fly to anything else. It might end up shifting languages together, or, it might mean that more range of language is possible.
Well said!
I got a bit peeved when I first read that Trump had mandated that professional drivers speak English fairly well. I thought "there he goes again, making an executive order with the force of law, which is not a power he is supposed to have." I also didn't believe it. So, I looked it up, and he has indeed issued this order. However, it turns out that he is merely doing his job here, because there is a Federal law, properly passed by the legislature, that has not been followed because of a "guidance" issued by Obama. Trump's order reverses Obama's guidance. Capriciousness at the highest levels.
Sure, but this article is outside of the specifics of Trump - this was just the catalyst for the piece :) As far as I see it, it really isn't going to be necessary to speak any particular language in the near future, because we have tools that can do all the translation on the fly. The idea of "having to learn a language to be productive" will become archaic. It is already a limiting factor that holds back many from being more productive in various communities, and it becomes an unnecessary skill.
Just imagine if a person wasn't able to work, unless they could play the piano adequately. It becomes an unnecessary hurdle.
I get the need for language skill now - but for how long is it a need?
I knew! I digressed. The dude is the president of the country I live in. Did he really say that?
It's different than being able to play the piano. I see folks even more dependent on their electronic devices in your scenario, and that scares the crap out of me. Would we be able to trust the translations? I don't think our being more productive would be a gain for humanity. We are all producing at madcap rates already.
If the truck driver works for years and spends some time in the every country he passes through, I think he can somehow express himself in the local language.
In some countries it is possible - depending on language similarity. But going from Italy to Germany, to Latvia, to Estonia and Finland - not so sure! :D
My mother told me - Yura, you have a benevolent character. And it's true, I try not to harm people, often even to my own detriment.
I have thought about benevolence a little in the past. Is well-meaning the same as doing no harm?
Yes, if a person calculates his actions correctly. In rare cases, good actions can cause harm, a number of events can occur not according to plan.
It makes sense to have a basic knowledge of the language where you will be working... In the case of trucks, not just USA, but even here, if police stops you, you need to be able at least to understand basic requests for papers and problems, if they find something odd you need to be able to explain a bit
Sure. But if the same understanding just happens through an immediate translation anyway, what does it matter?
That would be perfectly fine, I remember some TV footage where an interpreter was taken "on the fly" to do translation between police and a Chinese speaking only his own language... But you need that translation available any time 😄
The rewards earned on this comment will go directly to the people( @flummi97 ) sharing the post on Reddit as long as they are registered with @poshtoken. Sign up at https://hiveposh.com. Otherwise, rewards go to the author of the blog post.
My spoken english is quite bad. I write with mistakes. But then I read english I understand most of it.
Still wish that everyone would speak lithuanian.that would be ideal.I totally agree with the fact that individuals should be evaluated more on their personality and the role they play in the community and not just a mere focus on language and skills as these can be automated And are even becoming obsolete like you said.
This raises important questions about language, identity, and practicality in a globalized world. While english proficiency can be beneficial for international trade, mandating it raises concerns about inclusivity and the potential marginalization of diverse linguistic backgrounds. The evolution of translation technology also plays a significant role in this discussion.
Well, English is the most global language after all - talking about countries where it's taught, and that it's accepted as the common ground for most negotiations and such. Other languages are spoken by more people, true, but at least there's some point in it.
About driving - here in Ecuador, you have to pass all tests in Spanish, no matter where you're from. They do accept foreign drivers licenses for up to 6 months - after that you, have to get the local one. Europe has a unified license system, so you're license is accepted anywhere - because it's a standard. People here drive very differently than in Europe. It's taught differently. The whole perception of driving is different. If someone doesn't speak either the native language or the common ground language (english), how to make sure they understood everything in the license test? How should they be expected to communicate in emergencies? With police? There are many ridiculous decisions made by the POTUS, but based on the little I know, I can see a reason for this one. Although it's probably just fishing for xenophobia.
A person is to consider "good" when acting coherent with the predominant set of values in the culture/society that they live in - judged by society. A person can consider themselves good when they are coherent with their own, intrinsic set of values.
Happiness. If we act coherent with our values, our subconscious is not nagging us all the time about working against what we are. The more coherent we are, the happier we are.
When I was in Portugal recently luckily English was widely spread and there was zero problems conversing. I do think you need to know the basics if you are going to live there though and why we have all been slowly picking up certain words even though it may not necessarily be necessary.
I especially liked the part about how technology is breaking down language barriers....so true in today’s world. It made me think: we often judge people by the languages they speak, but maybe what really matters is how we treat others and contribute to our communities. Learning a language is great, but being kind and responsible feels even more important. Thanks for sharing your ideas.....it has given me a lot to consider
This is what I wonder. Everyone wants "good people" but then put a host of irrelevant modifiers on what is considered good.
Only if you look at the very best of humans. On average, most people are less capable in narrow areas than the AIs.