Motivational Books Abound

Visit a bookstore today, and you will find a self-help section filled with books, all claiming to offer ways to help you with your productivity, love life, finances, and everything else under the sun (well, stuff “under” the sun would probably be in the Astronomy section…)

The Motivation Niche Blogs

Go online, and you will find a multitude of websites and blogs who offer information to similar effects, including the excellent Zen Habits, the inspiration for this one.

But Who’s First?

I’ve been wondering who was the first motivational speaker?

“Influencers” on Today

Last century we had Napoleon Hill, Dale Carnegie and others whose books are still popular today (I’m currently working my way through a Napoleon Hill book). This site features an article that suggests that Ralph Waldo Emerson was the first motivational speaker of modern times.

Historic Figures

Of course, I have not read every single historical book out there, but with my somewhat typical college-level education, I would wager that some of the better known historical figures with whom people are familiar were actually the first motivational speakers:

• Shakespeare – perhaps he spoke more through his “players” than himself, but can anyone argue against all the life lessons found in his plays?
• Socrates – going back further, I would have to say many of the principles espoused by today’s great motivational speakers were explored in ancient Greco-Roman times
• Confucious – the Chinese philosopher and scholar to whom we usually attribute the Golden Rule offered principles a hundred years earlier

Of course, there are lots of other notables, including religious and political ones, that we can consider motivational speakers, for they truly did motivate people to do things (good or bad things, that’s up for debate).

We will never find out who was truly the very first motivational speaker (most likely, it was probably a caveperson who wanted his/her clan to move to a new spot where there were unpicked wild berries.)

What Really Matters

In the end, it doesn’t really matter. Today there are tons of motivational speakers, life coaches and other pundits. As long as the principles they put forth are constantly explored, analyzed, questioned and tested, and those that “make the cut” for the critical thinker are practiced in a way to better all of humankind, that’s all that really matters.

Why We Should Like Corporations

Simply put, corporations allow for massive economies of scale. That’s how we can buy a reasonably good car for $13K. That’s how we can buy groceries at the local supermarket. And that’s how we can get our new-fangled technologies (on which to write and read blogs).

Why We Should Hate Corporations

Again, simply put, corporations usually answer to shareholders, and what the shareholders want may not be in the best interest of the non-shareholders (see my post on smoking). Since there are fewer shareholders than non-shareholders, the few have power over the many.

What Can or Should We Do?

• As consumers, use critical thinking to be aware and not be taken advantage of.
• As shareholders, employ the same insight to see beyond short-term gains.

Think About It

A corporation is legally considered an entity, but in the end, a corporation is really made up of people. As people all living on this planet, shouldn’t we think beyond us-versus-them, and instead use the power of corporations to find a way to live in a peaceful, sustainable world, one that will endure for future generations, long after you and I are gone?

Since we’re observing the birth of Dr. Martin Luthor King, Jr. today, I thought I’d list a few of my favorite quotes from this influential man.

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

– I see this as a universal truth on how we should deal with setbacks and failures, when the going gets rough, when we feel overwhelmed and stress.

Rarely do we find men who willingly engage in hard, solid thinking. There is an almost universal quest for easy answers and half-baked solutions. Nothing pains some people more than having to think.”

– this one hits home, and is one of the underlying reasons for this blog, and why I chose to focus this blog’s theme on Critical Thinking.

“One who breaks an unjust law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for law.”

– Inspiring. Of course, Dr. King must have been referring to Rosa Parks.

If you’re interested in more quotes, check out Brainyquote.