Mindsets, paradigms and advice I've encountered

(By no means comprehensive)

Negative mindsets & paradigms I've encountered:

Age/seniority equals wisdom
People with higher learning certificates (Diplomas, Degrees, etc) know more than you
The government knows what's best for you
Be suspecious of the suspecious looking person just because he looks suspecious
Don't stand out
You cannot possibly know more than the teacher
You cannot possibly know more than the book
You cannot possibly know more than your elders (any older person, any higher ranked military personnel, etc)
It's not my problem (to avoid doing the responsible thing)
It's not my problem (pushing blame)
It's not your problem (don't look for trouble)
It's not your problem (none of your business)
It's alright if it's not done to me but if it's is done to me, it's not alright
The one with better grades is more suitable for the job at hand
The one with better grades is smarter
The one with better grades is just plain better
The one with better grades knows more
If you enjoy unexpected wealth you should spread the joy
If you can afford an expensive purchese you must be able to afford more
Once a crook, always a crook
Always protect yourself first
The last person to touch a spoilt device is the person who spoilt it
Don't go near the weird guy
It's bad so it must be true
It's good so it must be true
You thought it up so you do it
Newer is better, older is worse
Experiments are an unecessary waste of time (and resource)
Do not do more than is necessary (you won't be compensated)
The end justify the means
A fool and his money is soon parted (retail strategy)
Be first (at everything)
If you've failed you're no-good/good-for-nothing/worthless/etc
If you've failed before you're not as good as the one who has never failed
A good deed must be rewarded (else the good deed won't be repeated)
The customer is always right
If you have no authority, your opinions have no weight


Positive mindsets & paradigms I've encountered:

Do not take things too seriously
Laugh with people not at people
Do unto others what you would have others do unto you
Watch, listen, learn, practice
Be nice, be kind, courtesy extended is courtesy returned
You can learn from your mistakes
Failure is not final unless you let it be final
You do not need to tell the world that you are good
What goes around comes around
Treat your employees well because if they all quit, you'll have to do all the work
Be open minded
Listen to kids, often they are unfettered by the chains of pride and image
Don't let others do your thinking for you
Treasure your friends
Watch the lazy ones, they may know how to get the most done with the least effort
Don't be obnoxious, it can come back and bite you in the ass


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At first I want to rant and list my peeves with what I saw to be the problems with the (primarily) Eastern and Western mindsets I've experienced. Within the first few lines it began to feel like another diatribe against the Singapore government so I deleted the whole thing (yes, I -can- get tired of hearing myself whine =P).

After another false start, I've managed to list some of the mindsets, paradigms or advice I've heard/encountered that I find negative or offensive (that I can remember or put my finger on anyway).

Then I ran into trouble trying to come up with positive examples. After a while I realised the reason I couldn't think up/remember any is because I find them positive. Because I agree with them (mostly) I don't see them as seperate mindsets/paradigm/advice. To some level I've assemilated them and call them all my own views. Because of that, in my mind they are all different facets of one mindset, one paradigm. In a sense I call them positive because I agree with them.

Objectively, this also means I cannot be objective in telling positive from negative (or vise vesa).

At the same time, it reflects what I think or feel are acceptable thoughts.

On the other hand, everything is subjected to interpretation of the reader.

To make this simpler, I could just label them as what I like and dislike. I could do it but then I'll have to change this rant to either reflect or explain that. Which will necessitate more effort (than I would expend) and time (than I can expend). =) As such, I shall leave it as it is.

I spend too much time arguing with myself. ^ ^

I've also been throwing the word 'paradigm' waaaay around too much. ^ ^

Maybe because it makes me sound smarter than I really am. =P