Let's ignore it and hope it goes way. Does not work Part 1

Let’s ignore it and hope it goes away.

It is human nature to procrastinate, to wait for things to calm down before making a decision either way. Couple that with the inertia of, we’ve always done it this way, and you have a recipe for dither and confusion. It’s natural, we all do it to some extent.

But, and it’s a huge but, sometimes decisions have to start to be made, big important ones, and right now. Sometimes we simply can’t wait and see, we must act.

We are living through one of those moments of action, in three important ways. One political, one environmental, and one for society. All are important, all are intertwined and the outcome of each will affect all our and our children’s lives.?

This is the first of three articles that explore the idea that we can not ignore it and hope it goes away, that action needs to be taken, and that ultimately you, or I nor anyone else can “win” unless everyone does.

It is said that Earthrise, the photo of Earth rising over the moon, taken by Bill Anders on Apollo 8 in 1969 kick-started the environmental movement. It showed us all how delicate, how precious the Earth is. Its beauty showed us all that this is the only home we live ever know, and that is to be treasured.

I believe it also showed us another thing. That we are all in this together. The actions of people in one place affect those in another. People have of course always affected other people, for good or ill it’s what civilizations have always done, but now we do it unwittingly, thoughtlessly. There may be no malicious or forethought, but our individual actions affect people half a world away, and their actions us.

Firstly politically. Once again, like the 1930’s we live in an era of unprecedented change, one where a way of life is being threatened. Understandably people fear change, and as a result often retreat to an older way of thinking, a time when there was a certainty. People who are in fear are often looking for a strong leader, with simple answers. The people with the cleanest and simplest answers are extremists. They don’t need to bother with compromise, or democracy, or rules, they can simply live by edict, they can play king, who does everything by royal decree. Those who disagree with them are simply ridiculed, removed or rubbished.

Today we see the rise of fascism in America, China, Hungary, Iran, among many other countries. Places where a minority is seeing their power and influence wain, where they see a future they don’t like. To stop this feared future they are prepared to give away their own democracy and the rights of many others simply to maintain their own privilege. And just like the 1930s, cynical strongmen are prepared to pander to this and promise whatever it takes to ensure they are the ones in power when the dust settles.

And just like the 1930s those forces need to be fought as hard as possible. Because history demonstrates time and again how disastrous it is for those societies that embrace that path.

What we can not do is ignore it and hope it goes away. It won’t. Evil thrives when good men stand by and do nothing.?

We must act, and the most important single thing we can do is to vote. Not only to show the strongmen that we will resist them, but also to prove to everyone the power of democracy, that compromise is worth it, that nuance is important, that changing your mind when the facts change is not only possible, but vital, that there are no simple solutions, but thought, fairness and facts, reason and science will prevail. That you are completely welcome to have your own opinion on the facts, but you can’t have your own facts. That repeating a lie often enough does not make it become true.

That all men are created equal, that we the people does not mean just a few people, or only men, or property owners, or only one religion, or a certain race of people, it means all of us.

The American constitution starts with one of the most important statements ever made. That no King or Emperor, Priest or Prime Minister, is in charge. That “We the people” believe it to be self-evident that we should run our own lives.?

The idea of us and them, is pointless and divisive, whatever your creed, color, country, religion or ideology we are all in this together. As we are forced to face an uncertain future we need to make decisions based on that premise. I believe it will serve us well.

In the next 2 articles, I will explore how our environmental and societal issues will be a lot more manageable if we look through that lens.

About the Author

This article like all of my articles is my personal view.

Simon Dudley is a chump. A man who believes in paying taxes, waiting his turn, the rule of law, being a decent human being. He writes a lot about technology, society, education, business, Excession Events and science. He is also the, Senior Director of Analyst Relations & Sales Enablement. Logitech Video Collaboration.