Ideas That Matter

If you sat chimpanzees down at 1000 typewriters (excuse me, computer word processors!), in time wouldn’t we get all the ideas we need? Wouldn't you think that eventually every idea ever written would be written again? How many solitary ideas are there, anyway? Is there s finite number?

Well, rather than worrying about that, let’s look at some old ideas, those pulled from years ago by people you probably haven’t thought much about lately.

First, Albert Einstein:

“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.”

Would you have thought Einstein would have said something like this? I didn’t. I picture him as a scientist, mad maybe, certainly nerdy, with wisps of hair protruding everywhere without a care. I see him solving a math problem. An enigma of physics. Something grabbing his attention so much that he spurns food, water and other basics. Just to concentrate on the primary puzzles of mankind.

Well, he did, didn’t he? Even the quote above demonstrates that. We got ourselves into this mess, what do we have to do to get ourselves out of it? Using the same old thoughts didn’t get us to a good place, how about trying some new ideas? Indeed!

Second, John F. Kennedy:

“Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.”

I think it is amazing that people work so hard to avoid change. The moment is with us for an instant or a series of instants. Then it is gone. The past can be studied for help in understanding today, or the past. But the future will happen no matter what. The question remains how we will deal with it, or make it happen as best as possible. How do we do that? I suggest embracing change so we understand it better and can use it to our best advantage; not my advantage, our advantage. Let’s find ways to avoid pitfalls, or at least understand them better if and when they occur. Change ~ past and present ~ will pave our way to the future. Adopt it for the ride of our lives!

Third, from Carl Sagan:

            “I don’t know where I’m going but I’m on my way.”

Sounds like a lot of us! But the central point is ~ although it is better to pull the map out before we set out on the journey, we are already in motion so best we get out the map now! The future is not waiting on us. It is happening. Now. And it will unfold with or without us. Adopt that idea and embracing change will come naturally. And sooner!

Fourth, Franklin Delano Roosevelt:

“A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people.”

Remember those national forests and parks? Those wonders of nature so grand and majestic? Those places where the ‘purple mountains majesty’ reside and reign? Well, it turns out they breath in the junk we pump into the air, and clean it up well, and then release fresh new oxygen into the atmosphere. Basic biology. Basic physics. Protect them and they will protect us. Waste them and they will waste us.

And finally, a quote from an unknown source, but surely an old one:

            “When you judge another, you do not define them; you define yourself.”

So if we say all Muslims are terrorists because a few have proven to be such, we show ourselves openly as flawed human beings. And yes there are many making the statement. They are our cowering brothers and sisters who don’t get it. Help them understand the fundamental value of reaching out to understand those who are different from us.

We are strong people with good minds and creative talents. We can do much good. Much good is needed in this world. Together we can do it. When do we get started?

July 17, 2012