Change happens. Today is not the same as yesterday, and both are far different from a few decades ago. Nevertheless, most of us look at the troubles of the world and feel more or less hopeless than any social change will ever lessen the suffering and degradation of more than a small handful of any given populace. But change does occur. Legalized slavery was abolished in the United States. Citizens stopped hunting for witches. Democratic movements swept over the Ukraine, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon. Gandhi and King preached non-violence, and with non-violence achieved at least the first vital steps toward realizing their dreams. How this change comes about is the topic of an excellent essay, albeit one in need of some tightening, called The Six or Seven Axioms of Social Change.
July 2005 Archives
Mass Social Change
Whirling
[No. 158; 31 May 2001, en route to Salt Lake City]
Are those devils or dervishes dancing on my wingtips? I can't deny a certain... Beauty... To it all; Grace is not found in riveted Planes of steel— Even the birds register disaproval, But perhaps its in a lonely red dot Awash amidst gray and white, Or maybe, yes, certainly In the majesty of suspension while Earth rolls 'round and 'round.
Observations of Seoul
Reviewing the small amount of time I spent in the city of Seoul as a tourist, here are a few random observations on... greenery, cleanliness, motorcycles, westernization, age, TV screens, heels, coffee, and soul (not a pun).
Jet Lag; Virginity Pledges; Lab Grown Meat
I'm painfully aware that I've not wrapped up, even in my own mind, my trip to Korea. Let me tell you, jet lag is for real. My sleep has been disturbed all week and there has been plenty to distract me from spending more than a few minutes on the computer in the evening. But I promise I'll soon finish that story.