I didn’t mean to imply that human agency should only apply to small scale change; I absolutely agree that large scale change is, and should be, possible. In fact, I personally most often think on a systems level.
But having just spent two years in a peace studies program where I was immursed in large scale human catastrophe and felt completely overwhelmed by the enormity of the problem at hand, I find it helpful to be reminded of my limits. Yes, I should be mindful of major political events and initiatives around the world; however, even while doing my part (whatever that might be: writing a letter, signing a petition, etc), I shouldn’t expect that they are necessarily my responsibility. It seems that we often overlook the things we actually have control over—small scale changes—when we focus so intently on larger issues.
As Heidi mentioned: "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." (Mahatma Gandhi)
laurencer
Apr 10 2006
10:29 am
I didn’t mean to imply that human agency should only apply to small scale change; I absolutely agree that large scale change is, and should be, possible. In fact, I personally most often think on a systems level.
But having just spent two years in a peace studies program where I was immursed in large scale human catastrophe and felt completely overwhelmed by the enormity of the problem at hand, I find it helpful to be reminded of my limits. Yes, I should be mindful of major political events and initiatives around the world; however, even while doing my part (whatever that might be: writing a letter, signing a petition, etc), I shouldn’t expect that they are necessarily my responsibility. It seems that we often overlook the things we actually have control over—small scale changes—when we focus so intently on larger issues.
As Heidi mentioned: "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." (Mahatma Gandhi)