Learn, Unlearn and Relearn

Every time I ignored falling in a trap of new technology or any materialistic upgrade, I regret thereafter that something had been missing in my life. Before upgrading to Samsung Galaxy, I have been using my old mobile ‘Nokia’ with features life long life, durable, battery life and so on and I always assumed that the sole purpose of mobile was to talk which was solved. Technology did not fascinate me very easily, but the so called ‘status’ issue proliferated me for the upgrade. Experiencing the new technology dragged me from my conventional assessment towards ever changing world of technology.

The similar scenario applies to our Solar system studies. I have always learnt that Solar System consists of nine planets until I learnt recently that Pluto does not satisfy the criteria of being a planet. In twenty sixth International General Assembly of International Astronomical Union, the astronomers voted for aligning the definition of a ‘Planet’. Three criterias were shortlisted – 1. Planet need to be in orbit around the sun, 2. It needs to have enough gravitational force (It should be round), and 3. It has cleared the neighborhood around its orbit. Pluto, as a planet, satisfies first two criteria; however had a problem with the third one. Thus, Pluto along with other similar surrounding masses has been re-designated as dwarf planets. The idea behind explaining this example is the continuous process of learning, unlearning and relearning.

Alvin Toffler, thus, rightly explained that ‘The illiterate of the 21^st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.’ The 21^st century legion is more knowledge centric. One day my parents were wondering that my husband, me and my son all three of us were busy studying. Every profession calls for upgrading ones skills, and project modern state of the art with innovative ideas which is possible with amassing more knowledge, researching and staying contemporary.

But what to unlearn and how to unlearn is the relevant question here. Does it means forgetting everything, all concepts, conjectures, values that we learnt from our gurus, parents, and society? No, the researchers pronounced that it’s not about forgetting everything. Unlearning has more to do with challenging a formerly apprehended conviction and readiness to acknowledge new developments. Sometimes, we make an illusionary boundary and procrastinates any subsequent discoveries. The very typical examples are the generation gap, old management, and other scenarios where we use the word ‘traditional’. Thus, ‘unlearning’ projects and provides opportunities for an open exploration, research and innovation. Are you ready for learning, unlearning and relearning?