The Relationship between Individuals and Institutionsre

A partnership manifests itself in the ability of two or more individuals, institutions and people, or institutions and institutions to work together for the greater good. People are bound by what they can do as a group, rather than distinctions based on gender, age, religious beliefs, or even class differences. It is critical to recognize that organizations cannot function effectively until they have proper relationships with persons. To grow in all ways, all organizations need the participation of citizens. However, the majority of them are dysfunctional due to the manner in which they are enacted and carried out. Susan Faludi in the Naked Citadel focuses on how the military camp, a men-based institution, becomes a place where women get empowerment. I look at this as a great revolution since it utilizes the abilities women have, notwithstanding the idea that only men can participate in military activities. The fact that the citadel is allowing the admittance of a female trainee shows that institutions have opened an eye to every individual in the society, unlike previously whereby the society allocated responsibilities to individuals basing on their gender. As such, the awakening of this female trainee who wants to be a pioneer for the women to join the military is a great development for the society and the military institution. Having a gender-balanced institution is a positive progress all together. The harsh conditions that men are subjected to in certain jobs should not be used as a hindrance to deter women from progressing. In fact, it is the existing male chauvinism in the society that gives them the right to look at women as weak and fragile and cannot handle the pressures involved in certain areas of work. Rather, it should be noted that women can also endure challenges. After all, it is not a guarantee that men are the only beings created to manage hardships. The imagination that women cannot give required output has no base as evidenced by the citadel’s move against these odds by admitting a woman into the camp, in a bid to ensure that they are in a position to explore their hidden abilities. In light to this, the citadel acted as an institution for change and a center where individuals, regardless of their sex were are able to shine. Thus, it is vital that other institutions use this as an example to eradicate the existing gender discrimination.
The Myth of the Ant Queen
The piece talks about the nature of intelligence. Precisely, it elucidates how the ant colonies develop. As individuals, this aspect of the ants developing together without leaving one of them out is an indicator of how individuals in an institution should behave. Precisely, it is evident that working together for the common good produces results that cannot be seen when there is a division of any kind. The fact that the colonies are so held together is impressive. What we can learn from here regards collective intelligence, which argues that those who isolate themselves from a team are likely to find it hard to survive compared to those who unite and work together for a common objective. What is the essence of this argument in relation to the institution-individual relationship? When people in an institution work together, they produce a positive lifestyle. By overlooking their differences and holding on together, they end up with good results. A fundamental aspect to understand is that intelligence is not a thing for an individual, but something that comes out of a system of working together as a whole. No one in any institution sidelines him/herself and succeeds. Cooperation makes everything a success.
From the operation of ant colonies, the intelligence of the whole system emerges in the absence of any convenient form of leadership or authority and follows some set of rules. You do not require someone to monitor the move that you make to cooperate. Self-motivation works well in enhancing stable relationships in an institution. Institutions that uphold such virtues always outshine others that fail to strengthen togetherness. A consequence of such a relationship is, worthwhile, given that its results are positive. Nobody needs to struggle singlehandedly. In a case where there is a problem amongst individuals in an institution, every member should come in to sort it out immediately to demonstrate the unity emulated from ant colonies. “They have to stick together to survive. They discovered how many ants were jammed into a small area, which at first, looked like dirt. The whole colony is wonderfully alive, with the cluster of ants steadily moving.” An institution with this aspect never fails. It raises all ranks without hindrances or stumbling blocks along the way. The author compares this cluster with the crumpled conditions of the New York subway system during rush hour. The tubing and cramped conditions and surging crowds bring one thought immediately to mind; the New York subway system, rush hour (Johnson n.p).
Apparently, no one needs to be forced into upholding togetherness. The benefits that come with it play the role. Besides, it is just part of the nature human being require to succeed in their daily endeavors. The ants can only survive if they all work together in the system. Accordingly, no one succeeds alone. Individuals rely on others subconsciously to survive. There is no single person in charge of the world to tell everyone what to do. The harvester ants carry the queen to the escape hatch, not because she is superior or has been asked to do so, but because of their consent to show gratitude since the queen begot them all. In the same regard, individuals need to respect their institutional leaders for the good they receive from them.
The Mind’s Eye
The literature discusses the collective intelligence correlated with individual group members in institution’s ability to reason about the mental state of others. It focuses on the idea that in a group of individuals forming a particular institution, one should be able to understand the other person’s mental status so as not to interfere with them. Also, it speaks about how we are responsible for all the experiences we go through because our brain and senses determine them. We are the ones vested with the responsibility to make choices in any situation we are in. Any experience that comes in our way is in our hands to handle it responsibly. An experience can affect us either positively or negatively, depending on how we handle it. Experiences shape our minds. In this regard, it becomes valuable to ask ourselves certain questions such as; to what extent are we the authors of our own experiences? How much are these predetermined by the thoughts or senses we are born with, and to what extent do we shape our brains through involvement?" In different circumstances, we need to adjust our brains to adapt to them, for example, a person who goes blind has to adjust to new experiences. It applies to the relationships between individuals and institutions. People need to mend ties by adjusting to the ways of the institution. No change in an institution should inflict a person’s life negatively. In fact, a good relationship is realized when both individuals and institutions try to understand the needs of each other.
Hull adapts to his state of blindness until he looks like someone who had been born blind. His new experience changes him into a different person, but he embraces it. It applies to us when we are faced with challenges we cannot avoid. Learning to cope with them positively help one to grow. He seeks new freedom, a new identity and eradicates nostalgia. "Blindness became for him a dark paradoxical gift; this was not just compensation he emphasized, but a whole new order, a new mode of human being. The experience shaped him into a better person; hence, it applies well in relationships between individuals and institutions. In this context, it is worth to note that encountering unavoidable circumstances, managing them and adapting with ease helps build a stronger relationship. It is not our place to blame anyone or anything for a situation we face. Notably, it brings a substantial ground needed for growth.
The brain can adjust to different situations, given that it has nerves that perform these functions. In an individual-institution relationship, no one is supposed to limit him/herself from what he/she can do. The mentality of a person has everything to do with his/her success. Even though Hull was blind, he managed to picture everything he did mentally, without limitations. "Even though I am blind, I consider myself a visual person. I still see objects in front of me. As I am typing now, I can see my hands on my keyboard.” (Fuladi 33). He could visualize everything he did with his mind. Therefore, it is of the essence to ensure we do not limit what we can achieve in our individual-institution relationships.
Works Cited
Fuladi, Susan. "The Naked Citadel." Three Penny Review (1989): 33
Johnson, Steven. The Myth of the Ant Queen. Chicago: Scribner Publishing Group, 2001.
Sacks, Oliver. The Mind's Eye. New York: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 2010.