est. 2007

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Thinking Outside the Box: The New order of Doing Things

Submitted by Roslyn Shepherd Post Covid 19, we need to look at matters from a different perspective rather than rehash and complain about the scary economic and financial reality.  Big business is all about profit, not about the outlay of money without a future gain.  Against the contraction in business, banks will continue to sell off shares…

Submitted by Roslyn Shepherd

Post Covid 19, we need to look at matters from a different perspective rather than rehash and complain about the scary economic and financial reality.  Big business is all about profit, not about the outlay of money without a future gain.  Against the contraction in business, banks will continue to sell off shares and/or downsize and move most of their business to automated platforms.  More than likely, unemployment will continue to increase while wages contract.  We need to bring a different approach to acquiring skills as well as the work world. 

It is all about attitude and developing passion as well as looking for your niche; so said a technical guy I know.  He expands this thoughts, saying I believe in layering a foundation of base skills that interlace and allow the fluidity of moving between disciplines as well as the cross borrowing of ideas with the benefit of seeing broader possibilities for solutions.  To this end he decided to conquer six (6) skills, all of which he started at the same time.  The aim was to get a feel of them as well as to determine whether the selection suited his skill set. It was accepted that all could not be done at once.  His approach was supported by the fact that the first curriculum for the first degree was done by someone without a degree and that his non-traditional approach of charting a different pathway might not lead to work but could be of help to those who needed it. Covid interrupted the order of things so he switched to learning programming and electronics especially manufacturers preferred program language and combined that knowledge with what he had previously learnt about sensors, actuators and building devices to help in agriculture.  He continues to incorporate electronics into different agricultural methods.

Wanting to help, he reached out to Barbados representatives in the prior government to ascertain how he could partner with 4-H programs.  No one responded.  His focus is now on helping his country of residence provide food for a food bank.  

He concluded that we do not know how to evaluate talent and this will be part of Barbados’s down fall.  My suggestion is that we must fast track the acquisition of that skill quickly.    

189 responses to “Thinking Outside the Box: The New order of Doing Things”

  1. Lest we forget Avatar
    Lest we forget

    Taking down nelson or not a new massa in town.The new colonizers are back at taking the plantations and using black labour for the production of weed.Where is Prescott that was given a fancy stop talking post of enfranchisement envoy

  2. David Avatar
    David

    @Bajanabroad

    Thanks, will have a review of your comment.

  3. BAJE Avatar
    BAJE

    Taking down nelson or not a new massa in town.The new colonizers are back at taking the plantations and using black labour for the production of weed.Where is Prescott that was given a fancy stop talking post of enfranchisement envoy

    xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

    I AM ALSO AMAZED HOW LOCAL PEOPLE SUPPOSED TO BE CHAMPIONS OF THEIR UNDER PRIVILEGED BLACK BRETHREN HOW QUICK THEY FORGET THEIR FELLOW MAN AND WOMAN SUFFERING ONCE THEY HAVE BEEN SILENCED WITH A PICK, TITLE AND A FAT WALLET.

    SEEMS THE MYSTERIOUS WHITE SHADOWS HAS NOW DISAPPEARED IN A PUFF OF SMOKE.

    ONE CAN SEE HOW EASILY SOME LOCALLY ARE SILENCED SIMILAR TO COMRADE DAVID COMMISSONG.

  4. WURA-War-on-U Avatar
    WURA-War-on-U

    “BIG MIKE is a Gangster with a legal means of making money. He has close to 100 Countries where is making $100 Millions annually, and those we ELECT, invites millionaires to BUY up our land, get RICHER………not offer that opportunity to those who ELECTED them, but instead, places a non criminal penalty on those who ELECTED them if caught with 1 gram of Cannabis.
    And Barbadians just talking and not swinging.”

    So who is surprised, lock up and disenfranchise black people for marijuana, but bring in the white and other minority gangsters as usual. It’s time the people stand up for their right to have access to opportunities that are rightfully theirs and their children/future generatioin…this is so insulting and disrespectful, it overshadows all the previous insults and disrespect directed at the African population as soon as they elect these pedigree clowns from DBLP>

    Indeed, where is Trevor Prescod who is sucking on taxpayer’s tits, where is all the information he has about “white shadows” and the “Bajans are one step away from slavery” and was going to reveal all, before taxpayer’s money was shoved down his throat and silenced him, they truly have no shame and no respect for their ancestors, their own people or themselves…

  5. WURA-War-on-U Avatar
    WURA-War-on-U

    We always knew this is the main reason they kept the plant from us, criminalized us and now the black faces are doing it too.

    https://scontent.fbgi3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/130241878_201767004817811_1656383232461776506_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=2&_nc_sid=825194&_nc_ohc=0s7joUDkTaMAX9Sn41K&_nc_ht=scontent.fbgi3-1.fna&oh=2798a4e4296d9a56922c7ae288d2af7b&oe=5FF336F0

  6. David Avatar
    David

    https://youtu.be/dDD1yfvekxg

  7. David Avatar
    David

    The youth, the youth, the youth…

    PM lauds youth link with US
    BARBADOS has a bright future, based on the possibilities of the conversations and connections between young Barbadians at home and first generation Barbadians abroad.
    This view was expressed by Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, who was the special guest of the first youth conference between Barbados and Newark, held on Zoom, which also included young descendants of other Caribbean nations. The session was a partnership between the Barbados Independence Committee of Newark, Caribbean Commission in the Office of the Mayor, the St Patrick’s Heritage and Community Association, and the Barbados Consulate General at New York.
    The two-hour event focused on the topic, Living In The Age Of The Pandemic – How Has It Affected Self, Colleagues, Churches, School and Community?, but the discussion also touched on future job prospects and the Black Lives Matter environment.
    Newark
    It featured five young people from Newark and five from Barbados.
    The Newark five were Dara Broadnax (graduate of Pittsburgh University, law student at Temple University, first generation Barbadian); Monet Ottey (graduate of Pittsburgh University and first generation Jamaican); Tatiana Dundas (student at Seton Hall University and first generation Guyanese); Michael Walker (student at Essex County College and first generation Barbadian); and Seon Layne (graduate of Syracuse University, pursuing Masters at Rutgers, first generation Antiguan and Grenadian).
    The Barbados five were Shannon Edwards (student at Cave Hill Campus, UWI); Theo Franklyn (currently studying at Hugh Wooding law school, UWI, St Augustine); Erin Boyce (fourth-year science stream student at The St Michael School); Kevon Henry, marketing executive; and Jamilia Burgess, attorney at law and small businesswoman.
    Moderators were first generation Barbadians Janelle Harding (graduate of Temple University, pursuing a masters at Drew University and Jovia Radix (attorney and first generation Barbadian and Grenadian).
    The Prime Minister, who was only expected to deliver opening remarks because of her schedule, said she was happy to stay for the duration of the discussion. She added that she was so impressed with the observations made that they would colour some presentations she would be making shortly.
    In praising all participants, Mottley singled out seven-yearold Michelle Bonds of Newark, who opened the session with prayer and introduced the Prime Minister, and 14-yearold resident Barbadian Erin Boyce for their participation.
    Declaring there is a lot of shared history between Barbados and the United States, she referenced the movement of people from Barbados to the United States, the fact that Barbados was the only country the US’ first President George Washington visited and that Shirley Chisholm, a first generation Barbadian, was the first black woman to be elected to the US Congress and the first to contest the Democratic presidential nomination.
    Common ground
    Mottley added there is a lot of common ground among Barbadians at home and overseas and urged participants to continue to use the technology to get closer together.
    Consul General of Barbados at New York, Mackie Holder, said the initiative between Barbados and Newark would add more young people to the outreach started by the consulate with the Conversations & Connections
    programme, three of which were held in 2019.
    In thanking the Caribbean Commission for their partnership, he said discussions were ongoing with Commissioner Reverend Garvey Ince, a Barbadian who brought the teams together, on collaborating on several other projects, including a twin cities partnership.
    The session was also attended by Jennifer Robinson, chair of the St Patrick’s Heritage Committee and Deputy Mayor Ligia Defreitas.
    (PR)

  8. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    David,

    Open your mind! I can see that you have deliberately closed it, just as you have with homosexuality. You do not wish to contemplate any evidence that might challenge your position. It makes you uncomfortable.

    Believe me, life is much easier when you do not stubbornly resist against reason.

    Last week I had to wash my hair urgently. Never smoked a spliff but I was standing next to a Rasta who was. Did not even think about it. This Rasta is one of the most genuine, calm and helpful people you could ever meet. I am not going to miss out on that because of some spliff.

    The way to deal with marijuana is through education and regulation. Children should be protected and those who do not wish to inhale second hand smoke.

    Time to stop locking up and messing up poor black boys lives more than the spliff does!

    Meanwhile the rich people are smoking and getting off.

    The minorities are getting richer off the sales.

    Time and taxes are being wasted.

    Think, David. Don’t just feel! Think! Resistance in this matter is futile.

  9. David Avatar
    David

    @Donna

    Was the law changed (or proposed) to make possession a misdemeanor? To be honest the blogmaster has no position on this matter. It is important to explore the best options.

  10. NorthernObserver Avatar
    NorthernObserver

    Decriminalize.
    Make it a controlled substance.
    Possession or use below a threshold level is legal.
    Importation requires a license.
    Government has to monetize the opportunity.

  11. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    Miller,

    Yuh right! I got one here, don’t drink, don’t smoke, don’t womanise. Parties only occasionally but dances all night when he does. Works at his chosen gig first thing in the morning and last thing at night, takes care of children, wants to marry and put all his sperm in one basket. Does not want any other man raising his children. Thinks women are his equal. Counsels his girlfriends not to accept abuse. Saves money well but will spend when warranted. Is a people’s person. Generous and kind but nobody’s not a push over. Black conscious but not racist. Appreciates and communicates with old people. Not homosexual but not homophobic. Spiritual but not dogmatic.

    Damn! I gotta ease off that boy! My job is done! Who cares if he can be a little messy and plenty mouthy?

    Women can raise decent men. If we want to see better men we must start when they are on the breast. That’s where I started. No daddy can breast feed. That connection must be exploited.

  12. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    “Government has to monetize the opportunity.”

    Holy Herb is not a drug it is a plant that can be freely grown in abundant sunshine. Government should not be allowed to gain tax from a substance our God gave us but “they” outlawed and jailed users for because whites did not want blacks and brown to use and become outspoken liberated minds and think they are equal and would rather criminalise them.

    People are supposed to know their place and stay in their little box or ghetto part of town. A weed can make people get boxed and also think out of their box. It has medicinal and spiritual value and heals mind body and soul.

    Get high and fly in the sky and reach cloud 9 up in the firmament where the God’s and Rastas dwell.
    All you ☐s (squares) who don’t partake and puff puff pass to party hearty can remain caterpillars while others transform to butterflies

    Mindful Exercise/Practicing Blood Cleanse Qigong

  13. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    sorry chaps there was a HTML typo up above

    Mindful Exercise/Practicing Blood Cleanse Qigong

  14. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    Further clarification and disambiguation with an addendum and a couple of songs to meditate on to penultimate comment above

    Government should not be allowed to gain tax from a substance our God gave us but “they” outlawed

    ◄ Genesis 1:29 ►
    Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food

    Free up the Brain Food and Feed Your Mind
    Free your mind and your ass will follow
    the Kingdom of Heaven is within
    open up your funky mind and you can fly
    Freedom is free of the need to be free

    Barbados needs a Funkadelic Parliament

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LC-xanlM1Fo

  15. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    Just imagine.

  16. Bajeabroad Avatar
    Bajeabroad

    https://www.420intel.net/ca/articles/2020/12/07/study-finds-no-evidence-cannabis-legalization-increases-cannabis-use-teens

  17. WURA-War-on-U Avatar
    WURA-War-on-U

    Can’t for the life of me figure out why Professor Reparations and all the other educators in Barbados and in and around the Caribbean….seem not to know any of this, that many conscious people have known for decades and decades…i have posted on here more than once about genetic memory..

    “Africans must know their own history, for it is needed to correctly read the language of their own MIND, a language that is still expressing unconscious ideas in Ancient African Tongue. African History is essential for African Mental Health and the transformation of African Mental Slaves into AFRICAN MASTERS. ~ Dr. Richard King, M.D.”

  18. Willie Avatar
    Willie

    The below is interesting in the present scheme of things. The big players are making the necessary adjustments. Any lessons from others’ experiences can be instructive.

    https://www.msn.com/en-ca/money/topstories/canopy-growth-to-close-five-facilities-across-canada-lay-off-220-workers/ar-BB1bMojw?ocid=spartandhp

  19. Enuff Avatar
    Enuff

    “Ah can’t even see Fowl Enuff running out to defend this and cuss everybody, and where is BIG LIPS Lorenza……😂🤣”

    Salemite I clearly live rent free in you and Milluh’s heads. Unlike you, I don’t delve into duppies, fantasy and other imaginary things. You’ve been gathering around the fire too long.

  20. WURA-War-on-U Avatar
    WURA-War-on-U

    “Unlike you, I don’t delve into duppies, fantasy and other imaginary things. ”

    but ya love to delve into my bedroom though, that seems to be the only thing living in YOUR HEAD….

  21. Enuff Avatar
    Enuff

    Haha, you drink too much talk nuff then forget what you say.

  22. Miller Avatar
    Miller

    @ Enuff December 9, 2020 3:58 PM

    The “Milluh” has no room in his ’empty’ head for liars like you.

    Maybe a thief like some in the previous administration soon to be locked up in America or awaiting investigation and criminal charges as promised by your BOSS.

    But certainly not liars like you and your boss.
    For you can ‘conceal’ things from a thief but a liar will steal in order in order to ‘lie’ on you.

  23. David Avatar
    David

    @Miller

    You seem to be upset you did not get a pick?

  24. Miller Avatar
    Miller

    @ David December 9, 2020 4:51 PM

    You mean a “pick” like one as the Sales Director at the imaginary hotel to be driven around Beautiful Barbados in a luxury vehicle by a ghost called ‘The Hyatt’s Bajan White Chauffeur’?

    The miller is a decrepit fully retired old man who used to enjoy travelling the world but is now one foot in the Covid-19 grave.

    Have you received your pick since you seem to be performing rather well as the goalkeeper wearing the red jersey? (LOL!!)

  25. David Avatar
    David

    @Miller

    You have been around BU long enough to know barbs have been tossed from both sides of the fence through the years, This is an true indicator the blogmaster is on the right track.

  26. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    The stone that the builder refuse will always be the head cornerstone
    Acoustic Medley, Bob Marley

    00:00 Guava Jelly,
    00:42 This Train,
    02:28 Cornerstone,
    04:24 Comma Comma,
    05:46 Dew Drops,
    08:10 Stir It Up,
    10:14 I’m Hurting Inside

  27. Miller Avatar
    Miller

    @ David December 9, 2020 5:16 PM

    Then, ‘we’ should have said that it seems you are wearing a ‘red’ jersey for the 30-0 side this half of the political football game since there seems to be No forwards dressed in blue and attacking your goal during this half in order to protect the interests of the taxpayers and the ‘ordinary’ spectators called the naïve but deceived electorate.

    BTW, the “Milluh” has done “Enuff” under the SUN except political prostitution and bull(y)ing to qualify as an impartial observer aka referee of the Bajan political game.

  28. WURA-War-on-U Avatar
    WURA-War-on-U

    Miller….lot’s of jokes, they better get the rotten, thieving slave masters calling themselves business people, minority parasites out of Barbados with their modern day slavery….or every day will be another exposure, Fowl Enuff will have to grow more hands and fingers to plug up all the leaks…

  29. David Avatar
    David

    @Miller

    The cupboard is bare. Mia is towering over all present.

  30. WURA-War-on-U Avatar
    WURA-War-on-U

    https://youtu.be/ZMv22JEerQ4

  31. Enuff Avatar
    Enuff

    Milluh
    You certainly do because I am busy working and you on BU calling my name in your fascination with Hyatt. If I so liard put yuh money wey yuh verbose mout is or hush yuh cackahole and go gather around the fire and drink the brew wid Abigail de Salemite. 🤣🤣

  32. WURA-War-on-U Avatar
    WURA-War-on-U

    Still waiting for Fowl Enuff to start defending the Black population who were ROBBED BLIND of billions of dollars by minority wannabe slave masters and thieves both local and foreign for decades…..aided and abetted by DBLP…..every last one of them are black sellouts…

    ya can’t be so dead inside as a fowl that ya have no empathy for these vulnerable people and their families now reduced to poverty and suffering because of the liars and frauds in the parliament….but then again, burnt fowls have no feelings.

  33. David Avatar
    David

    Bajanabroad

    Read the links and as you know they paint a favourable perspective on the subject of legalizing the collie. However the articles include a caveat that long term trend analysis is a bit of an unknown which may explain why the government is moving in phases (cautiously).

  34. Bajeabroad Avatar
    Bajeabroad

    @ David,

    True – Additional research is needed but that can be said for almost anything. Additional research is always needed.

    Cancer has been with us for centuries but yet research is ongoing, so too diabetes, effects of alcohol, autism, even the new Covid vaccines.

    The lack of long term trend analysis should not be a reason we refuse to move forward on recreational cannabis legalisation, especially when so many other countries with deeper research budgets are doing so. The only one that loses would be us.The fact is the drug is already here and people are already using it, so legalising it would not open the flood gates. It’s already open as the illegal trade took care of that.

    What are we waiting for exactly?
    When will we have “enough” data? After all other countries have a developed mature market?
    Who are we waiting on to give us the proverbial “green light”?

    Our ever cautious, conservative, “British” approach is a significant development issue affecting Barbados. Not Covid and a global economic downturn. There is still money in the world and every crisis is an opportunity. As some one who was raised and educated in Barbados but works and lives abroad, I see the distinct difference in attitude and execution of new ideas, self-confidence and self belief in the USA, Canada and UK compared to Barbados on a daily basis. The issue is not intellect and mental capacity as evident in many Barbadians doing great things abroad. The issue is lack of belief in ourselves to develop and execute our own solutions largely because our social construct and colonially designed education system continues daily to put us in subservient lanes and mindsets that we accept and maintain. Intellectual curiousity, confidence and belief are trained out of us (our kids need to see more positive examples daily) more so than in the so-called developed world. That is our biggest development challenge and one of the reasons why we just can’t innovate but always want to study, form a committee or hire a foreign consultant / listen to an alphabet external agency

    54 years of Tourism but very few local owners, why?
    Decades of agriculture but no leading export industry, why?
    Thousands of University graduates but where are the patents are research papers, why?
    Thousands of school leavers but how many million $$ entrepreneurs result, why?
    Thousands of smartphone users but where are the millionaire app developers, why?

    Just the notion of waiting for more data is a symptom of our too conservative nature in capitalising opportunities. Cannabis in this case. The Covid vaccine, as an example, is fresh off the shelf and NO so-called developed country is waiting for more data. Sometimes you just have to MOVE

    Let’s go Barbados!

  35. BAJE Avatar
    BAJE

    54 years of Tourism but very few local owners, why?
    Decades of agriculture but no leading export industry, why?
    Thousands of University graduates but where are the patents are research papers, why?
    Thousands of school leavers but how many million $$ entrepreneurs result, why?
    Thousands of smartphone users but where are the millionaire app developers, why?

    xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

    WHEN ONE LIVES ON A 2 x 3 ISLAND AND IS USED TO REGURGITATE (repeat (information) without analyzing) THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS.

    THEY ARE TOO USE TO COPYING FROM OTHERS AND NOT BEING CREATIVE, THINKING OUTSIDE OF THE BOX.

    THIS NONSENSE IS THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE EDUCATION SYSTEM UP TO UWI LEVEL WHERE I HAVE SEEN FIRST HAND WHILST TUTORING.

  36. BAJE Avatar
    BAJE

    IT SHOULDN’T TAKE A CRISIS FOR THIS DISHONEST OVERWEIGHT INDIVIDUAL TO GIVE THE BLACK BAJAN MASSES THE MINIMUM WAGE PROMISED OVER 2 1/2 YEARS AGO.

    WHAT A HYPOCRITICAL INDIVIDUAL ALWAYS CRYING OUT OVER EVERYTHING BUT WHAT SHE SAID SHE WOULD DO

    XXXXXXXX

    It should not take a crisis before the Caribbean can see the level of cooperation as witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    This is the lament of Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, who was a panellist on the televised sixth Caribbean Economic Forum, hosted by the Central Bank of Barbados on Tuesday night.

    https://www.nationnews.com/2020/12/10/shouldnt-take-crisis-says-mottley/

  37. TheoGAzerts Avatar
    TheoGAzerts

    This COVID-19 issue bothers me.

    High unemployment, labor unrest, tourism not recovering as expected and payouts from stressed government resources.

  38. David Avatar
    David

    Digital literacy is ministry’s aim
    The Ministry of Education is getting more electronic devices to assist students in the virtual classroom setting as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
    Speaking during a presentation at the Ministry of Education on Friday, where the Ansa McAl Foundation donated 100 tablets, Minister of Education Santia Bradshaw encouraged students to become more digitally literal.
    “What this period has taught us is that we have to rely on technology. The fortunate thing for us is that most children are familiar with devices,” she said.
    “What we have to now transition them to is a better understanding of digital literacy, making sure we provide them with the tools to know how to sensibly use these devices, so that they don’t get up to negative activities but that they use them positively for education.
    “[We also need to] teach them the tools that allow them to become creators of content as opposed to consumers alone, and that they too, through the use of technology, can believe they can create apps for Barbados, for the region and indeed for the world,” Bradshaw added.
    Yesterday’s presentation was done following a special regional One Caribbean Future Fund concert, where donations will also go to Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, Jamaica and Guyana.
    “We are not where we want to be in having the full complement of devices, but I am very confident that over the course of the next few weeks and months we will get there,” Bradshaw said.
    She added more of the devices were on the way.
    “We have raised just over 8 500 devices to date, and this will add to the complement. While the corporate sector is contributing, Government is also committed to the provision of the device, and is in the process of finalising arrangements with Kenya to have over 21 000 devices on island, and so we continue as well to make the investment in education for our students,” she said. (RA)


    Source: Nation

  39. Wyatt Peck Avatar
    Wyatt Peck

    COVID has caused entire industries to come to a halt. So yes, everyone should now learn to think outside the box!

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