Thanks, everyone, for all the great responses. I'm going to save this Thread for posterity when it winds down.
I saw a new party emerging, mainly consisting of nerds who are terribly amateurish but also incapable of the petty games normally associated with politics, who believe that substance is more important than style, who believe that reason should rule in politics. It's beautiful.
I like this.
And it's great to see younger generations caring about and fighting for the ideal of a better world. The 60s generation was
not too idealistic, but was too optimistic in hindsight; maybe we can't perfect the world in our lifetimes, but we can contribute to the building of that world. Keep flying the flags of discontent!
I really wonder if he did. I tried for years to find out his name. I remember watching when Tiananmen Square happened and thinking 'this is going to be big, really big, scary big, whole world war ~ I thought it would be the start of the 3rd' and China squashed it like an annoying ant with ease and much distain. As a nation they scare me most.
I don't think he has made a difference sadly, anyone that wants to do it now hides behind a mask.
I think the fact that we're talking about him proves he made a difference. If we admire him here, imagine how the people who live in China, who want something better for their country, feel? Do we remember the names of the victims of the Boston Massacre? No, but their deaths inspired others to act and snowballed into the greatest Revolution in history (which, perhaps not coincidentally, we celebrate today).
Man, you really couldn't have picked a better moment for this. I feel high on optimism and it's groovy.
But because (supposedly) you or (very likely) I or any of the other millions of people might not - whether voluntarily or involuntarily - be able to act this way doesn't mean we don't contribute as well. It just has to be in the little ways then, like you said.
Right. Most of us will never be called upon to face down a tank, but we can voice our ideals and, more importantly,
live up to them. Even if it just means getting out to Vote in the face of overwhelming odds or not keeping silent when you're the only voice of compassion in the room.
And facing down tanks does not always result in failure. Remember Moscow.
my goal is to get down to 200 pounds by the end of the summer which I think is an achieveable goal.
Good luck. And remember that any progress you make is more than you would have made if you didn't try.
We can't change others, only ourselves, so you're doing exactly the right thing. "Be the change you want to see in the world" and all that.
Exactly. Live the way you want the world to be.
All things considered. I would say I am probably functioning within normal parameters.
Well, that sure beats the alternative.
Hmm. Maybe it's the end of the world as we know it....
Though I should say that world is the world of human society, it is not the universe or any objective reality. It annoys me when people say thats just the way the world is. Hmmm, the world is the world of human affairs and if anything it evolves so theres nothing silly about trying to fix irrational parts within it.
Human civilization arises from the Human mind which arises from biology and evolution which are governed by natural forces; so Human civilization is just as much the way the world is as anything else.
Btw we are entering the age of aquarius according the ancient mayans and native american tribes as sea levels are rising.
Very true; the 60s Generation jumped the gun a bit on that.
That's just too idealistic. There are always going to be shits to take advantage.
There's no such thing as too idealistic. "The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible." - Arthur C Clarke.
Count Zero, I believe we can change others. You've got to keep the faith.
I believe that, too.
I just can't see how you win against people sometimes. I hate the fact that confrontations are inevitable. And I have a fear that if I do stand up and look behind the others will have run and hid.
Sometimes you don't win. Sometimes your friends cut and run. Sometimes your allies aren't all they're cracked up to be. Sometimes you eat the bear and sometimes the bear eats you. If we want a better world, it's very important that we don't let certain death deter us.
I'm at my aunt's house this weekend. She was a second mother to me as a kid and a friend all at once. Without her I don't think I'd have ever gotten into sci-fi. She lives alone now and I like to visit her and give her some company. We'll have fun.
That's excellent. I wish I had somebody in my family who shared my interests.
I
was an optimist, until I discovered I'm too damn passive and depressed to accomplish anything. So now I'm just sad.
Aw, c'mon, you're a good guy. You're also funny, talented and intelligent. You're an asset to the world, so let yourself be inspired.
Okay at the moment. Thinking about having some lunch soon, before doing some more bike riding on a sunny winter day here in Newcastle.
You should take lunch with you and stop somewhere nice.
I have always journeyed with optimism, always, and I continue to do so.
This is one of the things I like about you,
Australis; you never give up. I wish you all the best.
RJ, you should prep your post to be entered in a certain online mag of our acquaintance.
One step ahead of you. Check it out.
)
