. . .what would it be?

I remembered this question from an essay test I took for a school that I was applying to. For me, the answer was simple. And when I had my first interview, I found out that this was exactly the answer they were looking for.

Our answers may vary, but I think that one's answer to this question reveals one's ultimate values and one's perception of one's locus of control. In my case, my answer was compatible with the philosophy of the school and the primary locus of control of a teacher in their school.

What would you change?

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This is really hard.. To change one thing has the potential to radically alter everything else, for ultimate good or bad, it would be difficult to calculate the outcome. Like travelling back in time could create a whole new future.

So we could be talking alternative universe creating stuff here >_>

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~I'll think of a witty comment later, or not. Maybe something to do with clouds?!~

Probably won't come as a surprise to hear that I'd change the education system. I just think that if, instead of trying to teach our kids how to be Fact Regurgitation Machines, we allow them the freedom to learn how to be People, the result would be a happier, more mature society.

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What would the world be, once bereft
Of wet and of wildness? Let them be left,
O let them be left, wildness and wet;
Long live the weeds and the wilderness yet. - Gerard Manley Hopkins

In my opening post, I didn't really mention what I wanted to change. But the school I was applying to was a Montessori school, and my answer to the essay question was that if I could change anything in the world, I'd change myself. And it was an answer that appealed to them, because they believed that children develop not as a result of our filling them up with learning, but by handing them the keys to the cosmos so to speak. So we offer them motives for learning, and the tools for inquiry and self-correction in a condusive learning environment, but the desire for positive change must come from within to effect true change. So Montessori parents, teachers and cooperators do not seek to change the child per se, but equip and motivate them to change and develop at their own pace. It's all about proactive learning - and that's an attitude that only the learner can choose to adapt for himself.

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I guess I would change myself too, for fear of changing something in the wrong way and doing catastrophic damage to the world. For the change itself, I would want to be able to express my love and good feelings. If you don't share that stuff it dies like a smothered flame.

Uhm. Do you really think you can cause that much damage?



I have to agree with your last statement. Positive feelings when shared can have a domino effect. Best not to waste all that good energy. Even just smiling more often can move people to do good things.

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Every decision creates an alternative reality though! BILLIONS AND BILLIONS!

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~I'll think of a witty comment later, or not. Maybe something to do with clouds?!~

So you wouldn't change anything at all?

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if i could really change anything, i would make it so that everyone starts out on a level playing field. equal access to education, opportunities, etc.

seems impossible though lol.

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Isn't it pretty to think so?

Impossible or not, that's why some idealistic persons enter politics.

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Well, buy agreeing whether or not to make a change has already made a change, I guess

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~I'll think of a witty comment later, or not. Maybe something to do with clouds?!~

The last two posts have given me food for thought. That was thought-provoking, Alchemiss.

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This is a great question, and a hard one, there have been some interesting ideas so far There are a lot of things I would change about the world, but I think I would do away with the concept of land ownership. Without land ownership, there would be no occupations and wars over territory, no land-grabbing by exploitative plantation owners, no resource-based massacres and genocides. It would fundamentally change the way we live and the way we interact. I think we would have a more healthy relationship with our earth, perceiving ourselves more as custodians than owners.

I read somewhere that in Russia, or some place in Russia, there is no such thing as permanent land ownership. But you'd need very strict laws to enforce this sort of human behavior, while I think it's instinctive to be territorial. It's an interesting concept. (I suddenly have this visioin of giving the face of the planet a radical makeover or even plastic surgery.) I'd never thought of changing that, but you're right that if it could be done worldwide, profound geo-political, geo-economic and geo-spiritual changes would occur.

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insta-karma. like within a week or month. you'll reap what you sow.

Things are getting quite interesting in here, IMO.

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Would it be cool you think to make it so that everyone loves everybody?? Would our civilization go to hell in fact from such a change or not? If everyone would just be lovin' everyone for what we all are, a world where there's no place for hate and killing another human thing would be no longer there? Like in good ole sixties but without a group ecstasy therapy? Or is it more of an 80s thing.. Not sure.

If I can go holistic for a moment, I think I would make is so everyone could have a rewarding life that last until elderdom (rewarding in like experiencing much and get the most out of life, not a problem-free go-happy life, althought without starvation and serious illness).

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Is the cup half-full or half-empty? Neither, the cup is the rightful domain of air,
and water are the imperialistic invader that must be fought by all means neccesary.
Drink it.

That is the ultimate ideal. But it is tricky as to how this can be accomplished. I think though that part of the answer is in Alchemiss's post -



You'd have to feel the infinite richness of love inside you first before you realize how much of it you can share with others. That way, you'd feel that you were enough, and had enough, and had nothing to lose by giving all your love to everyone. But just how is it possible to tap into such infinite spiritual wealth?



That is interesting - no waving of magic wands for you that would make all problems go away - but the chance to experience the richness of human life with its rewards and challenges.

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