See people how you would write them a job reference

Okay, we all have strengths and weaknesses, good points, bad points and inclination. But people improve themselves more by learning from others' positives. Some of us have been hard-wired to judge others by their wrongs so it isn't easy to rewire and try to see people in an objective light and look for the best in them. One technique I have been trying to use is to try to see people how you would write them a job reference.

You would highlight their strengths and make a connection between these and their aspirations. You would be kind enough as not to paint a false rosy picture that creates complacency. You would tactfully give an honest opinion that doesn't necessary make your referee feel insufficient.

Where there are deficiencies that they might benefit from addressing, you would try to offer constructive solicited suggestions or directions.

And then you will learn from their positives and be involved less in conflicts. And if everybody is taught to do so from a young age, then we would have a more agreeable society to live in.

Welsh mine tragedy

It is such a tragedy when men are sent to risk their lives for the consumption of man kind. Should we not have self restraint to prevent us from consuming at the expense of others' lives? The Gleision coal mine's loss of four men cannot be justified. We need energy from the coal but we shouldn't do at the costs of lives. Surely we are civilised enough to be able to limit our consumption. If these men were our own family members, we would have certainly done so.

The law should not allow such jobs to be taken by human anymore with the level of technology that we have nowadays. Robots are sent to work in inhospitable environments all over the place and even in the space. It is only economic reasons why they are not in mines - cost saving by mine operators using primitive technologies - miners need jobs to feed their family - energy companies save costs by suppressing their supply price.

Energy companies win, consumers win, mine owners probably do too. But at the cost of fellow human beings. Is it worth the pennies and pounds saved?

Being charitable

We all want to do something worthwhile. Some of us aspire to do it for a living. I want to do something I truly care about, not just do work for existence, such as being in a charitable organisation's workforce but it seems to me that one should practice what one believes. People working for the good of others, should be generous, kind and charitable. Charitable in a sense that you don't choose the recipients of your charity, regardless of how undeserving they may appear to be. If people cannot be charitable to those around them, should they still be part of organisations whose goal is to help others?

Peace and Justice - to be decided by answers from psychological science?

The Economist online debate forum posts:

"Punishing wrongdoers is fundamental to securing lasting peace"

The vote is currently 80% but can psychologists devise scientifically rigorous experiment to give a definite answer as to whether wrongdoing is deterred by punishment or otherwise?

Are our actions guided by fear of punitive measures rather than moral obligations?