How would I change the world for the better? That's a fine question presenting an almost intangible challenge. Should I dream hard and be idealistic—or try to be realistic? Considering the seriousness of the endeavor the question posits, I'd lean toward realism, myself. Most of us are aware of the old adage, which I've taken the liberty to polish to "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink, and you can lead a man to knowledge but you can't make him think." This begs the question, how to first lead others to necessary information while at the same time make them thirsty for it? We all know how often communication tends to go in one ear and out the other. People are going to think what they think, and do what they do, regardless of how cannily they might be informed of crucial matters concerning the harmony and survival of our species.
Ever since I was a teenager, I've been interested in both environmentalism and humanitarianism. Are we as a species co-existing with each other and the ecology of earth in a sustainable manner? Taking a look at humanity amid the history of wars in our culture, it seems apparent the answer is no; at least not without the painful price of eliminating each other in conflicts over the centuries. As for how we're affecting the ecology, both global warming and the various methods by which we have poisoned the oceans and skies and water supplies seems to indicate the answer to be "negatively" in that regard. It doesn't appear as if we're prioritizing our self-sustainability at all. From where I sit as a 49 year old new father of a bright and promising sixteen month old child, it should be a concern for me what sort of world my son will inherit.
It is already understood by many of us that all the life on earth, every last plant, bacteria, fungi, insect, reptile, bird, fish, mammal and all humans on the planet comprise what appears to be one single vast interdependent organism. Each varied form of life shares 99% identical DNA, or so we're led to believe—only differentiating from each other by the slightest margin in that respect (despite appearing as a dizzying array of different manifestations). All components of this family tree seem to be subject to the process of life which inevitably leads toward death. In fact, expiration appears to be the shared destiny of every life form on the planet. One reason our view of life gets so limited is because through our subjective perceptions we separate ourselves from the entire organism. If we instead acknowledge that the tapestry of life on earth continues to survive despite the inevitable demise of a certain percentage of its various species, we might accept that there exists a sort of immortality considering the whole of the human race—and indeed the entirety of this living ecology—continuing to survive for untold generations.
My point is that we all suffer and enjoy the isolated and subjective experience of being alive in this continuum of space and time. Scientific research has revealed over the past century alone the existence of our universe so gigantic and complex as to defy mortal comprehension. It is a blessing to live out our lives without fear and just enjoy this existence which has been granted to each and every one of us despite our mutual misapprehension of how on earth we were created in the first place or what may be in store for us over the long term. Why should we worry about these questions as a species when it is apparent that we have survived after having gone forth and multiplied over the uncountable years of history?
My answer to "how would I change the world for the better?" is to continue focusing on playing my small part and just being myself. Considering death seems to be a natural part of the cycle of all existence, I must conclude that to most effectively change the world for the better, I must first and foremost appreciate the bigger picture. I will keep on loving my wife, helping to raise our child to the best of my ability. I will do my best to love my family and friends, and respect our neighbors. I will continue working my full time job to remain a contributing member of society. The reason I believe this is the best answer, is because I think if we were all to play our parts and follow our hearts to the best of our abilities, the sum result would better influence the world to carry on doing what it has been doing, which is managing to survive as a shelter to harbor life for untold eons. As for dreaming, I can only have a little more faith that others throughout the world could feel as I do and allow the fear to dissolve from their minds and openly accept each other for the extended family we happen to be.
