Lessons

The Courageous Apology of South Africa's Apartheid Era
South Africa's dark chapter of apartheid, a system of racial segregation and discrimination, left a legacy of suffering and division. Yet, in 1997, a significant turning point occurred when South African President F.W. de Klerk, in a courageous act of confession, acknowledged the government's role in perpetuating racial inequality. This apology played a pivotal role in the country's healing process and the eventual dismantling of apartheid.
By Moses Mukuka3 years ago in History
How to overcome your mistakes
In a 2019 study, over 400 participants were enlisted to learn a mysterious, invented language. Individuals were asked about three pairs of runes— for example, which of these two characters represents an animal? Then, after a brief break, they were asked about the same rune pairs with questions flipped, as in, which of these two runes represents a non-living object? But this game had a secret— The subjects’ answers in round one determined the runes’ meanings in round two. In the first round, participants either had all their answers marked as correct no matter what, or they were forced to fail every question. This meant that at the break, every participant had the same amount of information, and in round two they were playing for real. But despite this even playing field, the successful participants from round one rose to the top of the ranks, while those cast as failures kept, well, failing. People often describe failure as a teachable moment— a necessary stumble on our way to improvement. But learning from our mistakes isn't always easy, especially when those failures are demoralizing, overwhelming, or just downright confusing. So what exactly prevents us from turning our mistakes into mastery? Perhaps the most obvious hurdle to learning from failure is how painful it can be. People generally want to think of themselves as capable and competent, and experiencing failure threatens that self-image. In a survey following a replication of the rune study, participants in the failure group indicated much lower levels of self-confidence after participating. It’s tempting to dismiss this pain as a temporary setback. But some studies have found that when people feel demoralized or incompetent, their brains often stop processing new information. This suggests that if a threat to your self-esteem is large enough, it can undermine your ability to learn. However, your tolerance for failure also depends on your relationship with the task at hand. In a study from 2011, researchers surveyed a group of American students enrolled in introductory and advanced French courses. These students completed a questionnaire asking what kind of teacher they preferred— one who emphasized their strengths and successes, or one who highlighted their mistakes and corrected their weaknesses. In general, responses showed that while beginner students sought positive reinforcement, advanced students were more eager for critical feedback. Researchers have theorized a handful of explanations for these results. Having just started out, beginners are still determining if they enjoy learning French and if they want to continue studying, so they might crave praise as a way to stay motivated. On the other hand, the advanced students are already invested, so they may want to improve their skills as efficiently as possible. The process of gaining expertise also comes with its fair share of failure, so the advanced students may have built a higher tolerance for making mistakes. But whether you're an expert or a novice, it’s usually much more straightforward to learn from your successes than your failures. For example, imagine getting your grade back on an exam. If you aced it, you could reasonably assume you made good choices around when, what, and how much to study, and you can replicate those decisions for the next test. But if you failed, it could be for any number of reasons. Maybe you didn’t study enough, maybe you studied the wrong information, or maybe you did everything right and the test covered things you shouldn't have been expected to know. In cases like this, it’s unclear exactly what went wrong, making it difficult to learn how to improve. Wanting to learn from our failures is completely natural, and there’s a lot to gain by being resilient and cultivating a growth mindset. But fixating on your failures can make it easy to forget all your successes. And building on what you’re doing right can be more effective than focusing on what you did wrong.
By purpose3 years ago in History
Whether or Not You Support Israel, You Should Condemn Hamas
I'm writing this on October 9th, 2023, while Israel is still counting bodies and idenifying remains, and there are already marches around the world demanding that the Israeli Army get out of Gaza, already trying to reframe the narrative, as if guards on border checkpoints are an invasion force.
By Natasja Rose3 years ago in History
Beneath the Olive Trees: A Tale of Palestine and Israel
Once upon a time, in the land where history and conflict intertwined like the roots of ancient olive trees, there lived two families, the Al-Mansours and the Rosenbergs. In the heart of the West Bank, the Al-Mansours cultivated olives for generations, while the Rosenbergs, Jewish immigrants, had settled in the bustling streets of Tel Aviv.
By Job Kabuchwa3 years ago in History
ROLLS ROYCE
Established in 1904 by Charles Rolls and Henry Royce, Rolls-Royce is recognized for its maturity, superior engineering, and inventiveness. Known for producing luxurious cars, the firm has consistently improved its offerings, establishing higher standards for engineering and the automotive industry. This one-page brief digs into significant achievements and insights.
By Reslin Reslin3 years ago in History
The History of Bangladesh . Content Warning.
The historical backdrop of Bangladesh is a rich embroidery of old civilizations, pilgrim rule, battles for freedom, and the improvement of a dynamic and socially different country. This story traverses millennia and has seen the district go through various changes. To give a complete outline, I will separate the historical backdrop of Bangladesh into a few key periods.
By MD Hasan3 years ago in History
"DIA DE LOS MUERTES"
"The Day of the Dead (el Dia de los Muertos) is a Mexican holiday where families welcome back the souls of their deceased relatives for a brief reunion that includes food, drink and celebration.
By Vicki Lawana Trusselli 3 years ago in History
From Caesar to Colosseum:
1. The Rise of Julius Caesar Julius Caesar, a name synonymous with power and ambition, played a pivotal role in shaping the Roman Empire. He rose from a humble background to become one of Rome's most influential leaders. His military conquests, political acumen, and legendary crossing of the Rubicon River changed the course of history. But his rise to power wasn't without its share of controversies and conspiracies.
By Jan Hopper3 years ago in History
The History Of Bangladesh . Content Warning.
The historical backdrop of Bangladesh is a rich embroidery of old civilizations, frontier rule, battles for freedom, and the improvement of a dynamic and socially different country. This account traverses millennia and has seen the district go through various changes. To give an extensive outline, I will separate the historical backdrop of Bangladesh into a few key periods.
By Md Hasan3 years ago in History
The Capture of Osama Bin Laden
In the annals of history, certain events leave an indelible mark, forever etching their names in the collective memory of a nation. One such momentous event was the operation that led to the capture of the infamous Osama Bin Laden, the mastermind behind the 9/11 terrorist attacks that shook the United States and the world. In this article, we delve deep into the intricacies of how the USA executed this mission that would ultimately bring the world's most wanted man to justice.
By Jan Hopper3 years ago in History
A Christian Legacy.
December 25, a day valued by Christians all over the planet, holds a significant importance throughout the entire existence of Christianity. It is on this day that the introduction of Jesus Christ, the focal figure of the Christian confidence, is recognized. The festival of Christmas on December 25 has a rich and entrancing history, traversing north of two centuries, including a mix of strict, social, and verifiable components. This article digs into the astounding history of why Christians overall observe December 25.
By sheiley kate3 years ago in History
Chichen Itza
One of Mexico's most famous historical sites, Chichen Itza, serves as a reminder of the extraordinary accomplishments of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization. This historical and cultural marvel, which can be found in the Yucatan Peninsula, invites tourists and historians to investigate its intricate architecture, enigmatic astronomical alignments, and the cultural significance that has captured the interest of people all over the world. We will explore Chichen Itza's historical setting, stunning architecture, cultural significance, and enduring legacy in this essay.
By The Knowledge 3 years ago in History