Ok, so I really should be writting an essay instead of posting here. But in truth, I am struggling to properly wake up and function academically. So I figured if I start some stream-of-conciousness style writing, I might be able to get the creative juices flowing. Or perhaps I just need to get this out of my system first.
I had a big, long discussion with Jim last night, as we often do, about life. It usually starts as a comment about TV or with a question which eventualy unfolds into a philiosophical and existential debate. Sometimes it is concerning politics, other times sociology. Sometimes music. There aren't really any boundaries.
Last night was a bit of everything; it started out with the Obama/McCain debate that we had watched on ABC, moved to offshore drilling, then went into climate change, capitalism, then into poverty and disease reduction. I asked the question that is so very often asked: how can we possibly help prevent 20,000 people in Africa a day dying from curable disease? What about the other thousands that die a day from war and HIV/AIDS? For some time I have wanted to 'save the world.' I know I am not the only one. I really do not need to sit and explain why I want to other than affirm the fact that it needs to be done.
As we were sitting there late at night discussing this, it suddenly became clear. I am not going to be able to save the world. It is just not going to happen.
But I can save somebody's world.
And that makes a difference to the world. So perhaps I sponsor a child, do aid work in Africa, or start a charity, or join the government and push for developmental policies. I may only directly afftect somewhere between 1 to 83 people in my lifetime. But I have changed the world for 83 people. And hopefully, those 83 people can use their second chance to help too. So 83 is quite potentially doubled.