Posted by jeffkoz on Sunday, January 14, 2007 at 9:10:14 AM
Is there such a thing as the "I" World Generation? And if so, what are your feelings about it? I ask because today I was told that I was part of this type of world by a reader of my article published in the American Review Literary Journal (www.arlj.com/publication) which is titled, A Bold New Dream, America.
"Your writing sounds more like the world of "I" generation that I loathe but it is probably the world as it is now and it just hurts me too much to accept this."
I do not mind hearing other peoples opinions, in fact I welcome them with open ears, but something tells me that the reader did not read my entire essay and perhaps cut herself off from my real message. So tell me, is it selfish to focus on yourself and learn how to become a better person as I propose? I believe that bettering yourself serves to help society as a whole. Don't we show greater love and tolerance when we understand each others ideas, cultures, countries and beliefs? Can't the WE of our society be strengthened by the I when we use ourselves to promote kindess, caring and compassion? Weigh in, I'm interested in your perspectives.
Re: The "I" in We... Comment by Sara on Saturday, January 27, 2007 at 1:04:37 AM
The "I" is just as essential a part of "We" as "You" or "They." I must respect myself before I can ever respect others. Each and every member of society is a component of "We, the people," and change must ALWAYS begin from within.
Re: The "I" in We... Comment by flameinthesnow on Saturday, January 27, 2007 at 1:18:55 AM
The reader might be objecting to a part of Western culture which wasn't specifically in your article. Compared to some other cultures, we do seem to be missing that feeling of being a part of a whole, or "we".
But the answer to becoming "we" lies in healing the "I", first, I believe. In my experience, especially here in America, most of us live a life in which we are cut off from our own bodies, our own feelings, and from the people around us. It is as if all of these disembodied brains are walking around, with confused bodies attached to them by a leash. When we learn how to face our fears, ourselves, our feelings, and our own bodies, then and only then can we interact in a meaningful way with the personalities surrounding us.
It may be that communities such as this online one will help to create the sense of community that we all crave and need.
Re: The "I" in We... Comment by Sara on Saturday, January 27, 2007 at 1:37:25 AM
And now that I have read your essay, I must wonder if your quoted reader has actually read the essay at all, as her assessment of your meaning appears to be diabolically opposite to my understanding of it.
I agree with you that a melding of belief systems is necessary, but I must also caution that some belief systems will not be melded, but appear to require a complete bending, even to obeyance. And that makes me fear most especially for my daughters and granddaughters. What you are advocating appears to be the only answer, and I am not by nature a naysayer, but I am looking at reality as I percieve it. I am most interested to read your thoughts.
Re: The "I" in We... Comment by Aerie on Friday, February 2, 2007 at 2:32:25 PM
I read A Bold New Dream, America. Bravo!
Most people in our system today - do not read, in fact, I believe your (reviewer) if you want to call them that, did not. If indeed the article was read, it was with an inability to comprehend written response. If articles do not pander to the simplest thought of conformity - it seems they are lost in the noise of 6pm news.
I commend you on your response to life and your ability to accept that all our lives begin with change in ourselves and our ideals - not in looking to change others. If we are to undertake the challenge of our world situation, we must first look to our personal addiction to blame. Making others responsible for happenings in our world is about as equitable as asking a fruit fly to watch bananas while we got out to purchase a new HumV. How many times has it been said; change begins at home! AND that is not about "WE" but about "I" More people should consider what "We The People" actually means. I wonder if your dear "reviewer" knows the Constitution "I" refer to.
Re: The "I" in We... Comment by Nicholas Cameron on Sunday, April 15, 2007 at 2:18:36 AM
What a wonderful topic.
I prefer to live in a reality that is balanced. I am not saying that it truly is (although I personally believe so), what I am saying is that I perceive a perfectly balanced universe, thereby the more selfish I want to be, the more selfless I will require myself to be/act.
I get up in the morning for me (unless there is a friend/family emergancy) and I go to bed for others (if were up to me, I don't think I would sleep---I have so much energy to share).
Re: The "I" in We... Comment by wordmiester on Wednesday, April 18, 2007 at 1:27:14 AM
Whether one considers himself/herself religious or not Jesus made a profound point in what he considered a commandment. He called it the second most important commandment. 'Love your neighbor as you do yourself'. Similar to what Nicholas said above a healthy view and honest effort to care for oneself will ultimately become manifest in our treatment of others. It does not have to be that of ego or self absorption.
Wordmiester aka ANDY
Re: The "I" in We... Comment by Nicholas Cameron on Thursday, April 19, 2007 at 9:48:57 AM
It does not have to be that of ego or self absorption.
Wordmiester aka ANDY
I agree that you believe this.
In a universe of infinite possibility I am not argue with this. (For entertainment purposes only).
I am not going to deny that egos create societies, and absorption creates the need for release. (Vacuum Effect----75% of the material of this universe.)
Healthy? What is healthy? "Everything healthy can be medicated." (cited) n.c.
I like what Jesus said "Be as superficial as your society demands, just be centered within first."
Re: The "I" in We... Comment by amawitch on Thursday, April 19, 2007 at 12:44:07 PM
Nicholas Cameron wrote:
What a wonderful topic.
I prefer to live in a reality that is balanced. I am not saying that it truly is (although I personally believe so), what I am saying is that I perceive a perfectly balanced universe, thereby the more selfish I want to be, the more selfless I will require myself to be/act.
I get up in the morning for me (unless there is a friend/family emergancy) and I go to bed for others (if were up to me, I don't think I would sleep---I have so much energy to share).
Thank you for your great words.
Blessings
I like what you said about "thereby the more selfish I want to be, the more selfless I will require myself to be/act.
This reminds me of my thoughts daily. Except I call it cause and effect. An example might be easier than trying to explain what I mean.
I had five dollars, thats it, only five dollars, that had to last me a week. I past a man who really looked like he needed that five dollars more than I did. I kissed it, and gave it to him, and went home broke.
Every day for an entire month I recieved at least five dollars a DAY from someone for something. It was an experience that has remained with me to this day. I call it Karma, but it it fits in with what you said, on the surface anyway, about being selfless. Am I making sense?
christa
Re: The "I" in We... Comment by Nicholas Cameron on Thursday, April 19, 2007 at 12:59:30 PM
That is exactly what I am talking about. I would rather stay old school with the Law of Cause and Effect, then start living in some new age Law of Attraction.
Law of Attraction says to me---we'll since we can't wake people up, since the majority fail to recognize accountability already, why don't we appease them and tell them that the universe is a big Genie in a lamp.-----at the same time, the Law of Attraction DOES open people up to the idea of how amazing this universe is. (So I'm not arguing it: IT's BALANCED).
I am just saying that if I live by basic fundamental principles like "you get what you give", karma, cause and effect, it becomes MY RESPONSIBILITY from this moment forward----TO LIVE MY BEST LIFE!
Here's something I've written before:
"At the moment my wildest dreams are as tangible, and worthy as every other element in my reality, that is when materializing my wildest dreams becomes seconded nature."
Re: The "I" in We... Comment by wordmiester on Thursday, April 19, 2007 at 8:39:06 PM
I have enjoyed the input on this topic.
When I used the word healthy I meant it in a simplistic sense. As in balance. Over indulgence in anything usually is not good for you. I guess to be clear I would have been better served by referring to the Apostle Paul's words when he said 'not to think more of ourselves then is necessary'.
Nonetheless a person like this will also naturally look out for the interest of others.
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