CLIMBING AN ENDLESS LADDER
You start of with the premise that you want to somehow make a difference in this world. You know there is something seriously wrong and you want to fix it.
Practicality tells you that in order to do something you need to change the system from the inside. Work in an industry that you can really make a difference. Here is how it will probably work out:
-Get an education
-Get some work experience in the area that you are heading in
-Buy a suit
-Write a professional CV.
-Say the right things at the interview
-Get given an entry level position
-Work your way up slowly, expecting the next position to give you more freedom and a chance to express yourself. It doesn’t. just more responsibility and complications.
-Become a manager with people under you, who you need to look after, and a board above you who you need to keep happy.
-Have annual holidays and travel to watered down cultural extravaganzas.
-Move to different companies doing basically the same thing because you are type cast and too old with two many responsibilities to do any more training.
-Have kids and pay for all their expenses.
-Retire.
-Loose your loved one.
-Loose control of your bowels.
-Loose your mind.
-Die.
I am training to be a journalist. Not because I think it is a great career choice, but because I think it will help me get closer to making a difference in this world. It won’t. If I continue like this I will end up living the list above. There is a hegemonic ideology in this society that we make a difference by plugging into the system and then finding a little space and working it out from there. It does not work like that. The idea of ‘Paying your dues’ before you make a change is flawed.
The people that have really chiseled a place for themselves in history and aided
Humanity, are people who have not tried to climb a ladder and ease themselves in. They have seen a need and a gap and done something about it, regardless of experience, education and their place in the queue. They have offended because they have worked outside of the system. They have refused to wear a suit; they have rejected pretentious words and societal expectations. Role models such as Gandhi, Mother Teresa and Nelsen Mandela should inspire us not only because they helped the helpless but because they defied the system and were not respecters of position.
Mother Teresa began her work by picking a sick, homeless man up from the streets of Calcutta taking him up to her room and taking care of him when a society stated that you cannot touch those who are ‘unclean’. There was no process; there was no getting comfortable and in the right position before being able to help. There was a need and a desire. That was it. If we are not doing it now, we will never do it.
well said.
Have you read the story of the founder of the Quakers?
Posted by
Dayle |
2/09/2006 10:42:00 pm
Hey bro,
no i haven't. I dont really know much about Quakers. what do they have to say?
Posted by
Chris |
2/09/2006 11:43:00 pm
The list.
-Get an education
-Get some work experience in the area that you are heading in
-Buy a suit
-Write a professional CV.
-Say the right things at the interview
-Get given an entry level position-Work your way up slowly, expecting the next position to give you more freedom and a chance to express yourself. It doesn’t. just more responsibility and complications.
-Become a manager with people under you, who you need to look after, and a board above you who you need to keep happy.
-Have annual holidays and travel to watered down cultural extravaganzas.
-Move to different companies doing basically the same thing because you are type cast and too old with two many responsibilities to do any more training.
-Have kids and pay for all their expenses.
-Retire.
-Loose your loved one.
-Loose control of your bowels.
-Loose your mind.
-Die.
To me this is the classic post-modern list.
Many films, bands + artist talk+paint+film+write about this, This list makes movements like punk or films like Taxi driver or Fight club + mean streets - and the interesting thing about this list is it aiming at people who know they don't wanna do it - but not sure what fuck else to do... It's like a artist who has not found its medium yet.
This question will always be asked 'what the hell is it all for', but you have to beware I think - as this kind of thinking is also a big waste of time - its a tricky balance. But fuck giving up that choice to a god+government+army - I think thats just something we all have answer in out own way.
Posted by
Anonymous |
2/10/2006 04:46:00 am
It’s frustrating. An idea that is constantly moving, that we can’t quite focus on, and when we try focus we lose the point, and time philosophizing over it.
I don’t want to do that. –maybe I am
I know that there is something seriously wrong with this world and to change it there will need to be practical discussion and action.
Posted by
Chris |
2/10/2006 10:19:00 am
Hey man,
I think you could relate to the Quakers.
This quote is quite interesting; I reckon it does a nice job of painting the picture of Quaker practice.
"It's hard to love the questions when you live in a society obsessed with answers. A believer takes a great risk in affirming the questions and doubts of others because to be a good Christian is to have all the answers and to never admit you have any questions. Consequently, we have a lot of people living out a spirituality they can hardly claim to be their own. On the surface they look good. They can sing all the right hymns and say all the right prayers. They quote all the right verses and support all the appropriate groups. They have even overcome great tragedy and despair and give claim to a testimony of great victory. But deep within their being, they are torn apart by this 'spiritual schizophrenia.' They have doubts....But the Christian culture 'code of silence' has forced them on a journey of 'Jesus is the answer' without ever having been allowed to ask the questions." Scott Waggoner, (1993).
http://www.religioustolerance.org/quaker2.htm
Posted by
Dayle |
2/12/2006 10:24:00 pm
Nice quote. Thanks bro. I'll order a book and read about them.
Posted by
Chris |
2/13/2006 11:01:00 pm