WinterABC2021 Archives - Lutgard Musiime

How positioned are you for the revolution?

June 14, 2021

Right from the 18th century the world has been experiencing industrial revolutions that impact the world’s economic status in a very profound way. Towards the end of the 18th century in 1784, the world received it’s very first industrial revolution with the emergence of steam powered factories. The second industrial revolution happened in the 19th century in 1870 where we got to see the application of science to mass production and manufacturing. Things like an assembly line was invented and the industrial sector speeded up exponentially. The third industrial revolution came in the 20th century in 1969 with advances in computing that led to machine programming. This opened the door to progressive automation. Now the 21st century has seen the emergence of the fourth industrial revolution in 2016 which is building on the third, comes with the fusion of these technologies and their interaction across the physical, digital and biological domains. The Fourth Industrial Revolution’s technologies, such as artificial intelligence, genome editing, augmented reality, robotics, and 3-D printing, are rapidly changing the way we create, exchange, and distribute value.

The technologies of the fourth industrial revolution include the following;

Artificial intelligence – this is the combination of algorithms formulated with the purpose of creating machines that have the same skills as a human being. Although this technology still seems to be distant and mysterious, there is a sure constant presence in our day-to-day lives for some years now. Look at robots, facial recognition features in phones now, virtual voice assistants like Siri to mention but a few. A.I is slowly but surely taking shape.

Internet of things – Studies show that more than 8 billion devices are connected to the Internet of Things (IoT) and this figure is set to triple in the coming years. With this we are already seeing new technologies making possible traffic flow analysis, programmable signaling, car park sensors; connected appliances, voice assistants, remote surveillance via mobile in homes all made possible by Internet of Things.

Cobots – We are increasingly seeing that robots and humans can work together like colleagues thanks to the boom in collaborative robots. The use of cobots in industry is changing production processes because unlike industrial robots, they work efficiently, safely and skillfully with other employees on all types of tasks. Experts tell us that cobots share jobs with operators, collaborating, manoeuvring and interacting with them. They are not intended to replace humans, rather become their bodyguards. These machines release operators from dangerous, repetitive and burdensome tasks, reducing absence due to illness and occupational illnesses which has always affected work and production. They also have sensors that detect human presence and react, for example by slowing down to protect humans from injury. We all know countless people who have lost body parts and even lives trying to get their work done. I believe there is a sigh of relief in that area.

Augmented reality and virtual reality – This is a technology that allows virtual elements to be superimposed onto our vision of reality. Through this technology surgery now can be done in detail, you may yourself how? Through tablets or holographic glasses, doctors can visualise organs in 3D or consult the patient’s history before or during a surgical intervention. Runners, cyclists, mountaineers, and hiking enthusiasts can now explore their routes in 3D by projecting them into any surface allowing them to plan their next adventures and share their activities. In architecture, companies can now use artificial reality to enable clients check in real time how their house will look once the work is completed or how their furniture will fit in with the rest of the decor. From trying on clothes virtually to watching an interactive campaign on a wall in the middle of the street, the sales and promotion potential offered by artificial reality to brands is incalculable. Are you seeing how to position your business already?

Big data – Nowadays, over 6,500 million connected devices share information over the Internet and now with the COVID pandemic forcing everyone to work more from home, this figure has most definitely shot up. So big data analyses this “sea of data” to convert it into the information that is transforming our world. Big data is the set of technologies created to store, analyse and manage this bulk data. To break down this a little further, I will give some examples; GPS systems can detect traffic jams in the area checked by a user and suggest alternatives; a subscription streaming TV channel has created the characters and plot of its most successful series by analysing the contents its viewers consume and prefer to watch; smart watches monitor the heart rate of millions of users and identify patterns that can anticipate to and prevent cardiovascular diseases; humidity sensors in crop fields plan the irrigation frequency, combining their data with the weather forecasts, should I continue? Is this something you can make use of? How are you dealing with data at your disposal? Are you still piling box files in your stores?

3D and 4D printing – 4D printing uses 3D printers to create live three dimensional objects without wires or circuits. It does so by using intelligent materials, which can be programmed to change shape, colour or size when they receive an external stimulus. Intelligent designs that adapt to the environment and transform over time is the highlight of this technology. Clothes that adapt to weather conditions, furniture that assembles itself when taken out of the box, pipes that regulate their width according to the flow, prostheses that adapt to growth and disintegrate once they are no longer needed are just some of the present and future applications of 4D printing. 4D printing makes it possible for an object, to bend, repair, assemble or even disintegrate itself. It acquires a new shape or functionality on its own by reacting with the environment. How interesting can the fourth Industrial revolution get!!!!

On the whole, there are four main effects that the Fourth Industrial Revolution has on business; that is, on customer expectations, on product enhancement, on collaborative innovation, and on organizational forms. Whether consumers or businesses, customers are increasingly at the epicenter of the economy, which is all about improving how customers are served. Physical products and services, moreover, can now be enhanced with digital capabilities that increase their value. New technologies make assets more durable and resilient, while data and analytics are transforming how they are maintained. A world of customer experiences, data-based services, and asset performance through analytics, meanwhile, requires new forms of collaboration, particularly given the speed at which innovation and disruption are taking place. And the emergence of global platforms and other new business models, finally, means that talent, culture, and organizational forms will have to be rethought. The onus is now on everyone to see how to position oneself appropriately for this revolution in whatever sector of life you are in, be it business, product or service provision. Do not be left behind, it might be too late to catch up.

Lifestyle

Parents & Guardians of children living with disabilities

June 8, 2021

Yesterday we looked at the challenges that persons with disabilities face . We got to appreciate that we as the larger community may not be doing enough to support these persons, more so the children to cope with the world in the best way possible. But I want to ask who advocates for the parents and guardians of persons living with disabilities who share this with their children on a daily basis?

It is very common for parents to cycle between one emotion to another, depending on the seriousness of the disability, their coping skills, and their support system. Some reactions we see that parents and or guardians of children living with disabilities go through include the following;

Denial

Denial is refusing to acknowledge or accept that your child has a disability. This is usually the first reaction to finding out about one’s child’s disability or deformity. Every parent faced with this challenge will first blame themselves for their child’s disability. Some pregnant women even become very depressed about carrying a child with a disability and the thoughts of not giving birth to these children or allow the children to live increase. This, unfortunately, is where some doctors table the absurd option of abortion.

When a woman is in denial of carrying a child who is or may be deformed, she also carries with herself the other probability that the doctor who discovered the disability was wrong about their prognosis of the child. As the pregnancy progresses to term, she may even still be in denial of being pregnant with a child with a deformity or possibility of one until she gives birth, and the child exhibits the signs of deformity!

Some parents get stuck at this stage and there is only one person at a loss here: the child. However, if one finds themselves in this situation, the only way to go past this stage is to discover why they are finding such a hard time accepting the news and working through all the emotions. Eventually, hard as it may seem, sometimes times with the help of a counsellor, they come to terms with it, know that their child is struggling (or will) for a reason or a while, will struggle through some life’s activities; and then equip themselves with the best tools on how to react to the changes that will exhibit as the child grows.

Anger

Anger and denial usually run side by side. Parents who receive the news of a deformity of their child become angry: always questioning why it had to be them. They blame themselves for not having done enough or not doing enough to guarantee a healthy life for their children. When the stress becomes too much, it boils into anger. This anger can be shown outwardly in form of rage or they become withdrawn because of the immense feelings of guilt and shame. Displacement of anger is one of the common occurrences we see among these parents. It expresses itself through verbal attacks on anyone who may blame the parents for their ‘unfortunate’ circumstance. It is very sad to note that during such a time, many marriages become strained and regrettably, some even result in divorce.

In as much as anger is normal and purely understandable as a way of acknowledging the injustice on your child, one should find some balance not to be carried away by this emotion. Instead, channel this emotion into advocacy for children living with disabilities’ rights, and becoming a motivation to other parents who are yet to face the same experience. Motivation should also be the source through which you become the number one advocate for your child. This may not happen naturally, however, but it does eventually. It may require you to join or form support groups.

Fear

The Advanced Learner’s Dictionary defines fear as an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain or harm. Among parents of children living with disabilities, the biggest fear arises from the uncertainty of what to expect in future as their children grow. The anxiety of how to protect one’s child who may not easily protect himself or herself sets in. It burdens a parent to know that they are their child’s only defense and protection and when they are away from the child, despite the child having grown into an adult, the child will be vulnerable to attack, mockery, ridicule and difficulty in living. Parents will imagine society’s rejections towards their children and the fear may yield them health problems, thus shortening their own lifespans.

This stage comes along with bargain. Parents begin the unending journey of hoping that perhaps they will find a permanent cure for their child(ren) and return normalcy to the family. They often involve prayer or any higher power seeking for some miracle. “Just let my child be like other children and I will do everything you want”, is an example of what that prayer may look like.

Recognising the special ability that your child has is one of the best ways to calm your fears: because, beyond the therapies and endless hospital check-ins, there is a something special in your differently abled child.

Grief

There is such a tremendous sense of loss that parents encounter when they learn of their children’s disability. This feeling is normal. When parents learn of such news about their child, they almost give up all those dreams they had for their child and this is so heartbreaking. Just like the rest of the emotions above, grief is another form of emotion that parents have to allow themselves to go through. It is best overcome when one gets a support group to journey with.

Guilt and depression

This is another emotion that I hinted on in the beginning, which parents feel and will feel in life throughout the child’s life. This, however, falls more on the mothers who often feel guilty about some wrongdoing they did for their child to be born that way. The blame on oneself can be so grave that it leads to depression.

Taking about depression, parents face continuous challenges ranging from social isolation, financial strain, outright exhaustion, difficulty in finding resources, feelings of confusion, etc. Over time, if these feelings remain and the person does not find relief, parents may fall into a deeper depression which manifests in form of insomnia, fatigue, low self-esteem, social isolation, changes in appetite, etc.

Acceptance

From the above stages of emotions, I prefer calling this stage the happy phase. At this stage, parents begin to dream again. They have gone through lots of emotions and have tasted the grief and fear; and they have processed them well enough to even start seeing beautiful attributes in their child(ren).

They will also be involved wholly in their children’s activities; they have fully grasped their communication traits and can easily understand their emotions. Life becomes as normal as it can get because the parents, the child living with the disability and their other siblings understand how things go about in and out of their homes.

So the next time you meet a parent or guardian of a child living with a disability, no that there is an unseen battle of emotions going on within that the world may never get to know about, and if you won’t make it easier for them, do not say anything to them. We are the support that these parents need to stay afloat.

To the parents that go through this daily we are sorry for not understanding where you are coming from, for the unkind words we may have said to your children forgive us. You are doing an amazing job already and my prayer is that we may eventually appreciate your efforts and be empathetic enough to make your lives little easier. May God bless you and increase your resolve to looking after these beautiful solves

Creativity and life purpose

June 2, 2021

Creatives week; Day 2

I was determined to be early this time for my class. It was the only thing on my mind the previous day and I made sure I had everything I needed ready. My clothes of choice were pressed, my school bag packed, alarm set and my breakfast tucked away in the fridge awaiting warming in the morning. It was my first class in leadership school. All went according to plan and the whole time as I made my journey to school I kept peering intently at my watch just incase I had read the time wrong and find myself in trouble. It must have been the nerves now come to think about it. I do not do very well with new things, thanks to my fear for the unknown. I was at school in time with 20 minutes to spare. The very first person who I met was a young wiry fellow with sparsely distributed facial hair and a minimal sense of fashion. He seemed to put very little effort in what he chose to wear. To him clothes were for just one primary function, to cover his naked body and that was more than enough. With earphones dangling from his ears like spaghetti he leaned over with a wide smile and welcomed me into class.

In no time we were settled in having performed all the pleasantries and the tutor came in and talked about life purpose. Mark you this was the first time I was probably interacting with this term in detail and if you are thinking this was a long time ago, no you are wrong. This was at the beginning of the year 2020. You see the brain is one little hypocrite, at one moment you are buddies and the very next moment it is accusing you of something you should have done a long time ago. I remember getting out of that class looking back at the gamble of life I had lived for so long. I was a blindfolded pilot of my own plane and I knew this had to change as soon as yesterday. It was time to identify my life purpose and make necessary strides to living that already. Do you know what a life purpose is anyway? Or are you like me then, hearing it for the first time.

A life purpose is simply that motivating aim of your life. The reason you get up every morning to do what you do. Have you given it thought? Why you do what you do? The reason for stressing about it? Experts say having a purpose in life is one of the fundamental factors of happiness for without it, you’ll live your life less focused, less efficient and you’ll often feel restless and stressed because you don’t feel aligned with the things you do. You can read more about it here. Being day 2 of the creatives week, I will talk about the need to be a creative in line with your life purpose. Like we reflected yesterday about the past year and how all of a sudden very many people have become creatives over night, I think it is important to have a focus right from the start to reduce on frustration, stagnation and or burn out in your creative journey. Find out what I talked about on day 1 for context.

My life purpose is to improve livelihoods by promoting better lifestyle through informed healthy nutrition practices. If you don’t already know, you will find nutrition insights on this site and everything that I do on a daily is in line with my life purpose. What I am trying to say is that as a creative you need to figure out what your life purpose is and create things in that line. When I was starting out on this site I jumped on anything and everything to write and soon or latter I discovered that people would get confused. Someone needs to come to your sight knowing what they are picking from there. For lack of a better word you may call it specialization. What value are people getting from your creation? When you are allover the place you will lose people because they do not know what to come looking for.

2021 is the International year of creative economy for sustainable development. This was declared by the 74th session of the UN General assembly in 2019 and this proposal recognized the need to promote sustained and inclusive economic growth, foster innovation and provide opportunities, benefits and empowerment for all and respect for all human rights. This is an opportunity for all of us as creatives to join in this cause. Identify your life purpose and make creations that foster all the above. It could be a product or a service that you create, it could be an awareness that you raise, the opportunities are infinite and inexhaustible. Tap into the very things around you and or within you and let us make this year a better year than the last one. Remember a journey of 1000 miles starts with one step. I for one, for the next 5 years my focus is mainly on children below the age of 5 years and differently abled children with disabilities that affect feeding. I will continue to raise awareness in this regard and who knows, their lives and the lives of those round them could get better.

If you should leave with anything today, please remember as a creative, it is important to identify your life purpose, make creations inline with it and lastly participate in this year’s theme; International year of creative economy for sustainable development.