April 05, 2004
By Brian Goodman

OK, so I'm young. I have so much freaking energy that I'm trying to do everything at once. So innocent (read: ignorant) that I think that I'll change the world. That I'm right now in the process of writing the article that will begin the revolution that is going to cure all of society's ills.

Maybe I should do what most young people do and go get wasted (actually, I like to do that too) and not think about things. Or maybe, as with everything else in life, the key is in finding the middle ground. To be involved but not consumed.

It is so difficult to live in this world and not pass judgement on things that are going on. Not to become self-righteous and think that you have all of the answers. But nobody does. Not me, not you, not George Bush, not Koffi Annan.

I think that this is the hardest thing to accept. That there are no easy answers.

So what then? What role can we play in a society as complex as this one?

How about we do our part? If you're funny, make people laugh. If you're pretty, bat your eyelashes. If you're fun, go party. If you're political, go run for office. But let's do these things with good intentions. Let's do these things with one goal in mind: advancement of the species.

Obvious, you say? Then where does this criticism come from? This insistence on competition with everyone around us? This jealousy and small-mindedness?

Why not respect and, dare I say, admire other people's success and not resent it?

"If you want to bring the cynics out of the woodwork, just succeed..at anything." (Ben Harper) How about allowing and encouraging people to be successful?

So, is there hope for the world? That depends. Are we ready to work together to find a solution? Are we prepared to contribute to society rather than dump on those that live by its rules or try to improve it? We shall see.

As for writing the article that is going to cure all of society's ills, I can admit that this may not be it. That my contribution is still a work in progress and that in fact, it may not be me that is going to play the pivotal role in the end. All that I can do is hope that I will have the good sense to lend my support when that time comes. And as for finding a balance between life and all this saving-the-world nonsense, all I know is that I'm more than ready for a beer.