About Us

Over the last four decades or so, we have witnessed a transition in the pace and substance of human activity that appears unprecedented in the recorded history of the human civilization. The impact of this transition is no longer constrained by cultural and geographical boundaries. In fact, the changes we have witnessed have made our world a global village that could very conceivably, in the near future, adopt a common language, a common currency of trade, and perhaps even common values.

I have often wondered about the triggers that have caused this revolution of sorts that we are witnessing. Some attribute it to the adoption of representative forms of government. Others attribute it to the free market economy and the associated ideas of capital investment to increase productivity. The advent of the information age may also take credit for these changes. It could also be attributed to the maturing of the industrial age. Or perhaps it is a combination of all of these and more.

If I were to think of a singular factor that has impacted us more than any other, it would have to be our ability to mass produce commodities for consumption and trade. This ability brings with it substantial opportunities as well as risks. A primary merit of mass production is the impact on cost. If a machine can produce in an hour what a thousand humans can produce in a year with fewer faults and greater precision, the savings in labor will naturally be reflected in the availability, affordability and quality of the product. The risks of mass production may be less obvious and more prone to that collective human weakness of being unable to regulate consumption at sustainable levels.

Irrespective of where we may stand philosophically on the merits or demerits of these tides of change, there is no stopping the momentum that has built up. As individuals, we will have to learn to adapt to these changes that will continue into the foreseeable future. Our forefathers lived off the land and spread far and wide in search of rich and valuable soil, raising their children with the security of inheriting the land and the skills to till it. Today, mass production brings people into densely populated neighborhoods that offer the comforts of city living, as well as factory jobs. These jobs are however highly specialized and limited in supply. This scarcity inherently introduces competition. To survive, the younger generation will not only require skills, but the ability to quickly grasp continually changing concepts in technology.

In the summer of 2004, I traveled to the less industrialized parts of our globe and came to the conclusion that large scale production has effectively all but eliminated the ability of individuals to survive, let alone compete, by engaging in the more traditional occupations such as small scale farming and animal husbandry. The number of people left without a productive and profitable form of occupation in this new environment is staggering. The problem is further compounded by the lack of skills in personal financial management and unabated corruption.

The Accelerated Learning Series is an attempt to address the need for inexpensive, easily accessible and conveniently paced training materials for the individuals who are either unable to afford the ever increasing costs of established educational institutions, or are looking for avenues to quickly acquire skills and knowledge by focusing only on subjects that are essential and relevant to their goals. The primary focus of this series will be to convey knowledge that is relevant to survival in our current business climate. There will be no attempt to gain accreditation from established educational bodies. However it is hoped that the knowledge thus acquired will help students to gain formal qualifications by privately taking examinations from accredited institutions.

The topics covered will fall under three broad categories – Career paths, Financial management and Spiritual philosophies. The Accelerated Learning Series Prospectus outlines the currently available training materials in these areas.

SKG,
July 2005.