Employing the Entrepreneurial Mindset.
Ali discusses the importance and massive benefit of employing the entrepreneurial mindset. Do you agree that this is an effective method to prevent or avoid terrorism? Why? Are there any other solutions? How does this relate to the employment situation in the US with specific reference to gang attraction? Are there any organizations that work along the lines that Ali has described?
As I was watching the TED Talk, I couldn't help but be impressed by the level of logic and planning Mohamed was using while articulating his viewpoint on how poverty and a lack of opportunity can directly lead to terrorism; it's evident to me that he clearly put a great amount of consideration into every aspect of his argument. And in the end I think he brings up a very good point.
ReplyDeleteBy nurturing an entrepreneurial mindset, a society is endorsing innovation and perseverance rather than defeatism. In this way it is providing hope through the possibility of eventual success or reward. While this is all well and good, I believe it is unfortunately this same hope that drives people to gangs and terrorist groups. As Mohamed displayed through his example of a "small town kid just trying to make it big in the city," terrorism, especially when it has a religious or pseudo-religious backing, can be incredibly enticing to people who have never known--or believe themselves to have never known--relief or success. Just like a society that endorses entrepreneurship, terrorist groups, as well as gangs, offer hope through the possibility of eventual success or reward--in this life or the next--while also offering an equally alluring feeling of camaraderie and belonging. It is through this feeling of belonging within a brotherhood that gangs and terrorist groups are able to attract members; they prey on those who feel hopeless and/or as if they don't belong. If a society is unable to create an alternative method for those hopeless people, it will inevitably give way under the strain of terrorism and gang warfare. Thankfully, there is a solution to this issue as well--one that can also be reached through an entrepreneurial mindset.
To put it simply: a strong business--one that is capable of quelling the rise of terrorism--cannot run itself. A strong business requires workers--people who will run all of the things that a single person cannot run by themself. By hiring workers, a business is not only providing hope through the possibility of success, but is also establishing a community--a place where people feel they belong.
So yes, a society that endorses innovation and perseverance is absolutely capable of quelling the rise of terrorism and gangs. All you really need is critical thinking and a cardboard box. (And maybe some duct-tape too; every good business needs duct-tape.)
- Alex Williams
After watching Mr. Mohamed Ali’s speech I 100% agree with his ideas. Terrorist and gang problems around the world have long been and problem and the problems are only getting worse. This is because few people attempt to solve the problem,they only try to contain it. The government throws these terrorist and gang members in jail but all this does is suppress the problem. These individuals need a way to avoid getting involved with these groups in the first place.
ReplyDeleteLarge corporations around the world create new business locations all the time that help employ thousands of people. But this is not enough. Within the U.S. the government should work harder to give kids a better chance of becoming financially successful and or stable. Within the schooling system, required courses should be designed to help promote more financially stable students and graduates.
My last point I will make is that adults and parents need to live for there kids. Many young adults who get involved with gangs within the U.S. join these gangs because there parents do not keep an eye on them or give them the parenting they need. My solution is for parents to take a class or watch a video that helps them learn how to give their kids the best chance at being successful even if they aren’t in the best financial state. In conclusions I believe that Mr Ali’s solution would be the only effective solution to the gang and terrorist problem but now we just need to figure out how to execute it.
Jerrell Webster
Mr.Mohamed Ali pinned the issue of what stems terrorism. The way he is able to view the issue as a whole world issue and not an individual problem is amazing. He speaks of the lack of opportunities in the world that is not always the individuals fault. Poverty throughout the world restricts children from pursuing what they would like to as well as warping their idea of what they want to do. This is where terrorism comes into place as the "best" option children with very little lean towards and rely on.
ReplyDeleteMohamed proves the point that the lack of resources that are given to poor areas throughout the world pushes children towards negative ways such as terrorism. Like Alex said "a society that endorses innovation and perseverance is capable of quelling terrorism..." which is a very true point. By giving children an opportunity to pursue a dream rather than be driven down a path of only know terrorism and negative ways of life due to the lack of resources can be changed.
Giving every child an opportunity in the world is very hard but making a change in the right direction can help. An organization named KIVA is an organization where they take donation give the money to a small village or group of people who wish to pursue a business but don't have the financial support to start it. They're given the money and once the business is started the money is reimbursed and all that money is given to another organization. This an organization that can help, even if it sounds like a long shot from ending terrorism. Like Mohammed the right step in the right direction will end terrorism in due time.
http://www.kiva.org
-Katie Casey
I think entrepreneurship is one of the most effective methods to prevent young people from making bad decisions whether it be preventing a teen in the Middle East from joining a terrorist group or preventing boy in a bad part of town from joining a gang. I really agree with the point Alex Williams brings up that when society rewards innovators and people that persevere it helps the common good of society. I also like the point Alex brings up that when business establishes itself and hires employees, its not just hiring employees but creating a community and creating stability for those people in the community. As I mentioned in my last blog post I really think one of the main reasons people join jihad is the lack of opportunity and employment.
ReplyDeleteA solution I have that coincides with employing people to prevent them from joining jihad is deregulation of the market. If you allow people to prosper and keep more of what they earn they will hire more people adding huge roadblocks only prevents small business from starting and expanding. The countries with some of the highest regulation like Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan and Syria (According to doingbusiness.org) have significant issues with Islamic extremism. When people have an incentive to create, innovate and build everyone prospers in that country.
-Danny
Collin Titus
ReplyDeleteAs I watched his speech I kept noticing how he exaggerated that he feels the entrepreneurship can be the key for young people to not look towards terrorism. The use of it gives young people a chance to start their own business, they can use their passion and interests to give the people of their community to appreciate and enjoy. Its a tool that can teach them how to create new ideas and give other people a chance to work in their passions to. http://www.gew.co/blog/teaching-somali-youth-to-create-employment-opportunities
This organization, GEW gives the people in Somalia an inspiration to become employed amongst other entrepreneurs. Somalia has a 67% unemployment rate, one of the highest in the world and is especially bad when most of the people are under 30 years old. GEW however brings business leaders, academic leaders and other major people of business’s. They host workshops that allow eager young people of the areas to go about their passion for business and entrepreneurship. I feel the same way Mohamad does, entrepreneurship is an amazing way to bring the youth towards a life that won’t physical damage and hatred.
I agree with you that what Mohamed Ali is preaching is one of the best ways to help kids in poverty to stay out of the taliban and other terrorist organizations. When we are young we are more susceptible to suggestions and ideas. So when a terrorist organization approaches people they target the younger kids. In order to prevent this our efforts to push and promote entrepreneurship needs to be greater than the terrorists. In the case of America these same principles can be applied to benefit us all.
DeleteEntrepreneur talks in depthly about the many benefits of teaching entrepreneurship in schools in America. The website tells the story of a few people who have fought through difficulties in their life and then when they were at their lowest point they find a mentor. This mentor helped them turn their bad habits around and used those same traits for good. Entrepreneurship can change lives of the poverty stricken people of america but also the students in America. The article talks about how a kid might not be book smart but when it comes to being creative and making a company they thrive. It also states that it is very rarely the kid who exceeds in one class who becomes an entrepreneur but it is the kids who get Bs in all of their classes because they are good at a variety of things and able to think broadly. In conclusion you can see that entrepreneurship should be promoted not only in Mohamed Ali’s hometown but all over the world as well.
http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/245038
Before I watched the Ted talk, I never really thought about how important entrepreneurship is. I didn't realize it could prevent terrorism. So yes, I do agree that providing the youth with true jobs and and opportunities will help prevent terrorism. It will make them way less desperate for money, and they won't end up getting dragged into terrorist groups and being trained to do such terrible things without even realizing it. It's so sad that these children are so desperate for money, and they obviously don't know any better because they are young, they will take any opportunity possible even though it leads them to suicide bombing.
ReplyDeleteThis relates to US employment because there are women out there who need to make money to provide for their families, prostitution for example, and it's sad because they are so desperate, and deep down they know it's not the right thing to do and can be very dangerous. But when it comes down to it, it's their only option.
I found and read this article: http://preventwmd.org/entrepreneurship which was also about how entrepreneurship can prevent terrorism, and I read and found it to be very true that the terrorist groups search for people who are in misery, poverty and ignorance. Every single day they wish for food and to help their family and their self survive. These terrorist groups know how ignorant they will be, and it makes me sick that they will trick them to do such terrible things. But these people living in poverty really don't know any better. And once they become a terrorist and end up killing themselves, it is too late to learn from their mistakes.
I agree with Danny that entrepreneurship is one of the most effective things to prevent terrorism. Not only is it a great thing to start your own business, but to prevent yourself from getting caught up in these terrorist groups and letting them have you in the palm of their hands.
I believe entrepreneurship is in fact one of the best methods in preventing terrorism. Entrepreneurship provides hope, promise, and happiness. Take that away and all you're left with is misery. In the article title Entrepreneurship Can Fight Terrorism, the first sentence tells how "...terrorism is driven by misery." With the happiness and promise created by entrepreneurship, there is no room for misery. The misery is also an effect of poverty. With entrepreneurs making jobs for other people, the unemployment goes down with the misery. Not only could entrepreneurs create businesses and jobs, but companies from other countries could come in and employ workers.
ReplyDeleteIslamic terrorist groups like Al Qaeda promise a life after death in Paradise. For those who believe in that religion and are impoverished, an afterlife in Paradise is much more enticing than a shameful, miserable life in poverty. It almost requires no thought for them. "Terrorism promises a perfect life, with money, with happiness, and respect, a life with no enemies alive, when a man can walk tall in the street while other people are scared and envy him." For someone with no money, the promise of money, power, happiness, and respect are fairly persuading. With no hope of a real job, terrorism may seem like the best possible option for some people. This is where entrepreneurship can step in and conquer terrorism.
-Nick Herbert
The topic of recruiting young adults and children to become terrorist and suicide bombers is saddening. There are so many students and adolescents living in impoverished cities in search for a way “out”. Recruiters draw their prospects in by providing false hope. These young people are desperate to get out of their current situation which makes it that much harder to stop the process. Mr. Mohamed Ali’s ideas are a great start.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jerrell with the fact that there needs to be a plan in order to execute this idea. There are many organizations such as kiva.org who encourage entrepreneurship in these countries. I found a website called The Guardian, the Guardian money organization has come up with a microloan scheme run by lendwithcare.org. This organization has backing from Care International UK. The way it works is, individuals can pick a young entrepreneur from third world countries and help them out by lending them money. Once the entrepreneur starts up their business, the original investor gets their money paid back in increments, and can then “reinvest” in another entrepreneur. The charity explains it as “the gift that keeps on giving”.
http://www.theguardian.com
I agree with Alex when he points out that he was very impressed by Ali. I read a little bit of his bio on the TED talk website and it’s inspiring what he’s trying to do for young kids. He sees a future and every single one of them, but they just need motivation to succeed. But that motivation doesn’t just happen, like Jarrell said, they need an outside source pushing them to do better things and become something bigger than what they are. Ali wants to channel his energy into something good, and something that is going to do more good than harm. I think his ideas are perfect honestly. I personally think that if his foundation gets bigger than it already is that he could change the lives of not only children, but parents as well. Parents, who are struggling financially, or just having a rough go of it in general “don’t have time” to watch their kids, or check up on their kids. Especially in a bad neighborhood a child that is neglected of attention or doesn’t have anything better to do will get themselves in a lot of trouble. At least if a child has a job, or some type of activity to occupy their attention they wouldn’t get themselves into too much trouble. I think this is not only benefitting families, but if Ali’s foundation is going to help kids get real jobs it will eventually help the economy.
ReplyDelete--Olivia Cerra
When dealing with poverty, people will do virtually anything to get out. In this case, the boy that was taken in by the terrorist organization was ready to become a suicide bomber because his dreams were crushed when he did not find a job in the big city. The lack of jobs makes these terrorist groups look more appealing to this population of impoverished people because they are willing to provide for them. It’s absolutely awful someone could turn to such a drastic measure simply because there aren’t any jobs on the market.
ReplyDeleteEven in America we deal with this problem. Generally, in any type of big city we see that young boys (mostly) are recruited into gangs, convincing them to drop out of high school and sometimes stay for life. To agree with Alex, a society that provides entrepreneurial opportunities will see a decline in gang and terrorist recruitment. People are attracted to success. The reason these terrorist groups and gangs get so much attention is because they make these young people, most of which never ‘belonging’ anywhere, feel as if they are apart of something bigger and important, even if it is something negative.
Like Jerrell said, most of the members of these organizations will end up in jail at some point (in most gang cases) and then after they serve their time, they are released back into the public and relapse into the same lifestyle as before. But if while they were serving their time they learned important business skills, it would help break the cycle.
Many people view the unemployed as ‘lazy’ but it is not necessarily their fault if job opportunities are not being created. The first step in fixing this problem is creating a job environment in which individuals can successfully thrive. Through Mr. Ali’s speech, he shows us that the lack of jobs is the reason young minds are being enticed into such negative organizations. Obviously we cannot create jobs out of thin air, but like Katie touched upon we could start with organizations like Kiva. Many people, especially in the middle east, need some type of funding to get their ideas to skyrocket since there aren’t many opportunities like Mr. Ali said. Though it is easier said than done, if entrepreneurial mindsets are more common, more people are likely to thrive.
-Rhiannon King
After watching Mohamed Ali’s presentation on the the Ted talk I felt inspired. Ali has such a passion for the youth and their success. I fully agree that entrepreneurship is an outstanding way to keep young adults busy and out of trouble as well as pave a path for success in their future. I agree with Alex Williams point that established businesses not only give citizens jobs and money to provide for themselves and their family, but it creates a community and a sense of safety to those in the community. Guiding children and young adults into being entrepreneurs will also keep them out of joining gangs or making bad decisions as well as keeping children in the middle east from potentially joining terrorist groups and taking other peoples lives.
ReplyDeleteRaising children to be problem entrepreneurs helps the community as well. I researched an organization called the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) located in Gaza, the West Bank, and east Jerusalem. This committee was created on May 1st, 1950 and has been expanding ever since. This committee helps young people and their communities in tough times as well as moving them in the right direction to being able to provide for their people. The AFSC takes children to help lift communities off their feet after disasters as well as putting people in need in the position to better their life and provide for themselves. AFSC promotes lasting peace and gives children a brighter path as well as helps communities in time of desperation.
http://www.afsc.org/about
-Mike Mancini
There is a word that Mr. Ali talked about, and I cannot get it out of my head. Waithood. I have never heard of it before, and yet, it holds so much meaning. Alcinda Honwana said in her lecture (http://africanarguments.org/2013/08/12/youth-waithood-and-protest-movements-in-africa-by-alcinda-honwana/) that waithood is “a prolonged period of suspension between childhood and adulthood.” Isn’t that what we are going through now? Kids our age, 16, 17, 18? We are not children. We don’t have playdates, go trick-or-treating, or eat cake with our hands. We grew out of that; we know more. But we are not necessarily adults. We cant drink, we dont have careers, we are not married. We are stuck in waithood, waiting for something to happen just like every other person our age. We dont know what is going to come at us next.
ReplyDelete“Focus our attention on the lives of young Africans struggling with unemployment, the difficulty of finding sustainable livelihoods... Political instability, bad governance, and failed neo-liberal social and economic policies have exacerbated longstanding societal problems and diminished young people’s ability to support themselves and their families. Many are unable to attain the prerequisites of full adulthood and take their place as fully-fledged members of society. The recent wave of youth protests can best be understood in the context of this generation’s struggles for economic, social, and political emancipation.”(Alcinda Honwana)
Katie mentioned that “the issue [is] a whole world issue and not an individual problem.” This is true. It happens around the world, every day. Unemployment in youths can lead to riots and protest. They have trouble finding money, sustaining there families. Many people around the world cannot go to school, cannot find a job. It can leave them vulnerable and desperate to do anything. This is when terrorist organizations take advantage. They know when someone is looking for an answer, and they are an easy solution. Like in last weeks video, they can support the kids’ families, make them feel like they are doing something useful. If I were as desperate as these waithood kids are, I would do anything to support myself, to get a home, food, and money.
Waithood-A “Gateway to terrorism, to violence, to gangs”; a “perfect target”. (Mohamed Ali)
Emma Johansen
Yes, I actually do think that having these young kids become entrepreneurs is a good idea. The initial target of the Taliban is recruiting young people who do not have jobs, who have no income, who are waiting for an opportunity to succeed. I think that it is so sad that these children have it so bad that they see joining the Taliban and being suicide bombers is the best they can do and the best opportunity. If these kids began a new culture by creating jobs and surfacing innovative ideas then the Taliban would no longer have a group of people to try and recruit. I think that all these people really need is a good opportunity but they need something better than the Taliban.
ReplyDeleteA lot of gangs in the US also see themselves as doing the best they can do in a gang. I think that everyone deserves a good opportunity to succeed, that is the only way live on earth will continue to grow and succeed. We have had times, in the US, where employment was really hard to find, and people need to supply for their families so they go to drastic measures, like going a gang or selling drugs. If these same people were awarded with a job or an opportunity to create a job then gangs and the Taliban would no longer survive.
Abby Fitzgerald
As a young high-schooler I find myself joining many clubs and teams, but my goal isn't to join, but to participate. There is no better feeling than having a role, being told you are good at something, getting the encouragement and praise that you believe you deserve. It feels amazing to be given the chance to work towards that title of captain or president. This translates not only to other high schoolers, but to all young people who are trying to achieve something. Ali tells the story of a potential consequence of not being given a role in society, of what may happen when you have do not have anywhere to go, when no one to gives you that pat on the back or no one to gives you any opportunities to show your talents. I do believe waithood is a very real subject where the first time you may be given a job or your role, might be with a terrorist organization. And for some people after years of depression, this is the first time they feel recognized and they feel that they are making that difference. It is only human nature to have the want to feel appreciated. Entrepreneurship can make a change because it has the power to save creative minds from being trapped in a bad cause. Not only can entrepreneurship save lives but it can enhance an economy and bring joy to a town or city.
ReplyDeleteErnesto Sirolli is a man in Africa who is trying to make this difference. He believes that misery and lack of opportunity causes terrorism so he created a program called FAIL. This program runs on listening to problems rather than just trying to teach when you don't really know what's going on. This program was created to save all the intelligent minds wasted on using their powers for evil. Terrorist organizations would love to get their hands on brilliant people with creative thinking to cause destruction, and FAIL is a program that is trying to make sure that never happens by introducing the topic of entrepreneurship.
“We don’t have to tell poor populations that they have to be all farmers, doctors and economist. Entrepreneurship is what they have to do. They know their countries more than us, so among them are already hidden their Steve Jobs or their Richard Branson with great ideas.”
http://preventwmd.org/entrepreneurship-can-fight-terrorism/
-Ibaad Nazeer
I believe that entrepreneurship is absolutely an effective method to prevent and avoid terrorism. By showing people other potential life paths, they can see that there’s more to life than killing other people or yourself for a cause. Terrorist groups reach toward kids and young people who look as though they are emotionally lost. When they are at their lowest points, these groups come around to try and “save” them. The word “save” is a relative term due to the fact that this is what the groups tell people they’re doing, however, this is not actually what is happening. These groups just want people to think this and yet all they do it brainwash them. As a way of attempting to try and help these people getting brainwashed, we can show them better outlets in life. When you show them these alternative paths, you provide them with a little more hope. They can see that they can live a more productive life away from terrorism. By doing such as opening a new business, you manage to gain a large amount of money while increasing your safety. When you have more money, it makes it easier to either live a more expensive life style or move somewhere else to live in a safer location. Regardless of which people choose, using entrepreneurship as a way to have a better life is a very strong attempt to break free of terroristic ways and beliefs.
ReplyDeleteWhile researching this topic, I discovered a website called entrepreneurmiddleeast.com. This website provides up to date information regarding new businesses individuals have started. People can use these ideas and inventions as motivation to have a more rewarding life and life style. Websites like these can make all the difference when it comes to saving someone’s life involving terrorism.
I think that Mohamed Ali’s idea that entrepreneurship is the answer to preventing terrorism is absolutely genius. He first identifies what he believes to be the main cause of terrorism, and then explains how to prevent that cause. In this case, the main cause is something he calls “waithood”. This is the idea that people fall into terrorist groups or organizations after a period of attempting to create a different or better life for themselves and ultimately, being unsuccessful. However, if one was to stay motivated through starting their own business or maintaining hope through their own passions, this period of “waithood” would be significantly decreased or completely eradicated.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many examples of children in large cities becoming affiliated with gangs at a young age. If more people and organizations were to employ this technique, we could potentially decrease the amount of children affected by gangs or gang violence. If kids had something else to be passionate about, or the opportunity to be a part of something bigger, they would be less inclined to search for other outlets or means of fitting in.
Several towns and Universities, such as Florida State University, have established community outreach programs that focus on helping children or families in need and supplying them with other outlets or projects that allow them to focus their feelings of frustration elsewhere, or eliminate the period of “waithood” described by Mohamed Ali. Alex’s comment about business’s providing hope through the possibility of success as well as establishing a community, sums it up perfectly. I believe that this idea is a key part of helping kids, as well as adults, worldwide.
Rachel Gagliuso
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ReplyDeleteThese tips are so true
that?
obst und gemüsereiniger