TheNoNamedOne
06-30-2007, 05:28 PM
When I was in college I considered myself to be a realist at odds with those who were idealists. I remember college kids organizing events and protests for some cause or against some cause, and all I could think was that they were wasting their time. I mean, did they really think their little demos were going to change the world? My view of them was almost disdainful to some measure.
I thought there were more important and pressing needs to devote youthful energy to, being -- girls, partying, and studying -- in that order. That left little room for marching, holding banners, petitioning, etc... -- for any other time I had between those major three, was what I considered to be "recovery time."
But now, older, I find myself becoming idealistic. Kind of strange, because I do think most people start out more idealistic in youth and little by little shed that and become what I was in college -- focusing on the pressing concerns of one's own personal life.
How about you? How has your view and actions concerning idealism and realism changed over the years?
I am kind of ashamed and regret that I wasted so much free time and energy in youth that could have been applied more productively then for change. I was wrong then. Change is possible and it was then, and even small dedicated groups can affect change, and where they do not, they can at least cause a dialogue on those points to be raised higher up in different parts and levels of society.
I thought there were more important and pressing needs to devote youthful energy to, being -- girls, partying, and studying -- in that order. That left little room for marching, holding banners, petitioning, etc... -- for any other time I had between those major three, was what I considered to be "recovery time."
But now, older, I find myself becoming idealistic. Kind of strange, because I do think most people start out more idealistic in youth and little by little shed that and become what I was in college -- focusing on the pressing concerns of one's own personal life.
How about you? How has your view and actions concerning idealism and realism changed over the years?
I am kind of ashamed and regret that I wasted so much free time and energy in youth that could have been applied more productively then for change. I was wrong then. Change is possible and it was then, and even small dedicated groups can affect change, and where they do not, they can at least cause a dialogue on those points to be raised higher up in different parts and levels of society.