Brenton
Generations Dying is Change
July 2nd 2007 01:23
What causes social change? Popular views suggest that new ideas are promoted by radicals. However, do these promoted ideas actually become the reality? Not really. They may appeal to a lot of folk, but generally, the majority will feel most comfortable playing it safe.
I read a quote the other day… and of course I never wrote it down. Gahhhh. Anyway, the quote basically said that change doesn’t come from shifts in perception. They come when the Generation that held the previous set of values, off and dies.
So what does that then mean for young revolutionaries? It’s a question that carries a lot of weight if the proposal is true.
Let’s presume that the suggestion is indeed, entirely true. This would then mean that all attempts to effect the feelings and values of individuals in power are entirely useless. You cannot change the views of enough individuals in positions of power for this to be a worthwhile quest.
So what is worthwhile? You really only have two options. One – try to teach the younger upcoming generations the need for change. Of course, that’s risky, as the further down you go on the age scale, the more it becomes like brainwashing.
Secondly, you can recognize that power isn’t in the hands of the majority. You can focus on influencing the influential members of society, gaining what traction you need to see laws passed. However any law or change that does not hold the support of the greater majority of citizens is doomed to failure.
There is a final option though. Maybe you can just accept that it is impossible to change the world at large. Then you can go about gathering like minded people to create your own vision of a progressive society on a small scale – and enjoy the festivities while you wait for the rest of the world to catch up.
I read a quote the other day… and of course I never wrote it down. Gahhhh. Anyway, the quote basically said that change doesn’t come from shifts in perception. They come when the Generation that held the previous set of values, off and dies.
So what does that then mean for young revolutionaries? It’s a question that carries a lot of weight if the proposal is true.
Let’s presume that the suggestion is indeed, entirely true. This would then mean that all attempts to effect the feelings and values of individuals in power are entirely useless. You cannot change the views of enough individuals in positions of power for this to be a worthwhile quest.
Maybe is we run over other generations we can speed the process? (No, Bad idea.)
So what is worthwhile? You really only have two options. One – try to teach the younger upcoming generations the need for change. Of course, that’s risky, as the further down you go on the age scale, the more it becomes like brainwashing.
Secondly, you can recognize that power isn’t in the hands of the majority. You can focus on influencing the influential members of society, gaining what traction you need to see laws passed. However any law or change that does not hold the support of the greater majority of citizens is doomed to failure.
There is a final option though. Maybe you can just accept that it is impossible to change the world at large. Then you can go about gathering like minded people to create your own vision of a progressive society on a small scale – and enjoy the festivities while you wait for the rest of the world to catch up.
| 42 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
subscribe to this blog
Activist Links: (Request one)
Vitamins are criminal?
Just say Know
Could Corporate Interests Destroy The Internet as we Know it?
