Realistically speaking…

My generation – especially youth who are for whatever reason attracted to the activist lifestyle; especially those coming from a North American perspective – are often taught that we have the potential to change the world. To make an impact. To save the earth and humanity from an apocalypse. Throughout my high school and university years, I was also fed a steady diet of such propaganda. (I’m using propaganda here without a negative connotation.) I don’t disagree, nor do I regret believing such words. In fact, I still do. I often think that I was actually born an idealist and an optimist; the propaganda simply confirmed my beliefs and helped me find compatriots.

While I wouldn’t say that I’ve become more cynical over the years (I wish I never do, at least not too much), I’ve certainly become more realistic. The fundamental systems of the world were built up over centuries, if not millenniums. They were built up to adhere to the most stable power structure, which isn’t always the most equitable. They were built by countless deliberate actors and by countless unintended consequences. Where is the evidence that we can dismantle such deep-rooted systems within a decade? Or, if more recent social media hype is to be believed (*cough* KONY2012 *cough*), with the click of a mouse?

I was having a good, long, interesting chat (my favourite kind) with a friend recently. We touched on the topic of people who declare they want to save the world. I would never shy away from saying that my ultimate goal is to help save the world. I would also probably always want to be friends with people who say so. At the same time, however, I do believe that, statistically speaking, I never will. At least not alone. At least not in the way that is so popular with Hollywood movies or best-selling books. And I’m content with that. Content in being one of the clogs that refused to help the conventional world function. Content in working my hardest for little direct result. Content in being the utmost prepared for the day where I could be in a position of power to affect change, yet might never get there. Life is afterall a chance, but a chance which you must be ready to grab. Maybe this is one occasion where I’m thankful for my natural irrational ability to be hypocritical and contradictory.