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-- Thoughts on data analysis, software development and innovation management. Comments are welcome


Post 14

Ideas, values and attitudes

16-May-2009

With this title, the Most Honorable President of the Government of Catalonia (Generalitat de Catalunya) Dr. Jordi Pujol presented his speech at the VIII Student Conference at Blanquerna with the main topic of "Citizenship and Communication". Communication is a feature that we bloggers, and especially researchers, should develop proficiently, because regardless of how good a work can be it can unfortunately be ignored or even invalidated if the ideas that conveys don't get through.

But what I wanted to point out here is the citizenship aspect that Dr. Pujol remarked defining the difference between a citizen and a mere inhabitant. Let's say, for example, that if someone accepts the bargains in a grocery store without a worry of its commercial failure, since there are other markets to go, then this individual becomes a mere inhabitant. But if someone feels that he/she is indebted with the effort of the small business and accepts to pay a little more in order to contribute to the success of the store, then this person becomes a citizen. It is the conscience of the rights and responsibilities that makes a population prosper. JFK had put it this way: "Don't ask what America can do for you but what can you do for America". Bear in mind that this example should not argue against the free market ideal defended by Xavier Sala-i-Martin, it only reflects an ordinary activity that we all citizens and inhabitants are familiar with.

And since this belief served Dr. Pujol very well during his 23-year service for our nation, I think we researchers ought to consider it for our universities and research centers, in the end they are our link to the scientific community.



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