2024-04-14 What what with me
Back To: Suzanne Taylor
Stan – I appreciate your observation that no one is calling for anything that would make anything change in the near future. When I say it, people are dubious, where they are sure there must be others.
So, here I am trying to get people engaged in doing things to deal with the danger we are in, where even human extinction is on the table. You might call me an internet pest if you saw how much poking I do in trying to get people to think. Then, lo and behold, the essay contest -- writing from 2050, when the world is working, to say how we got there, starting with something the essay writer did -- produced a new game.
So, now there is a playing field buzzing with intelligence and with interest in doing what can help. It must be that we are so imploded in opposition that individuals feel helpless, so they do nothing. Who would have thought that people being listened to would activate them to think about what we can do?
This has given me the idea of writing essays becoming a fad. How to get the internet flooded with How We Can Save the World essays is in my sights now!
To see what I’m talking about regarding people getting activated, here’s a sampling:
- I am deeply grateful to Suzanne for initiating this essay contest, as it brought me to describe my vision starting from 2050 — a truly brilliant idea.
- I was truly inspired by some of the other essays. I think you've catalyzed some real movement here.
- Thank you for the opportunity. The essay I wrote for your contest has me excited again to help "save our world."
- Congratulations to all the winners in this fabulously well-conceived essay competition. You have set the doves flying, Suzanne. Let's fly with the ideas to make them a reality.
- So glad that this is continuing into productive next steps. You should be very pleased that it is having great impacts.
- I think we're on the cusp of some real change. And you're contributing to that in a significant way!!
- I can envisage you will be invited to speak in great halls around this troubled world. I could happily find some time to escort you during your impending European tour. My Dutch is good, and I can get by in French and German.
And this is longer report from the winner who wrote one of my favorites:
I really appreciated several things: 1) the chance to dream of a solution, or a part of the solution, and not just complain about what was wrong. (2) The focus on *what did you do*. Several essays didn't get my vote because I wanted something actionable in a situation that feels so overwhelmingly intractable. (3) That you yourself did a thing that could have been the thing at the heart of an essay for the contest (4) the potential this has to create both community and action (5) the common threads. Reading the essays really showed some significant patterns and helped me feel less alone. Yes, dammit, I do want to save the world. Feeling less alone kickstarted something in my head and I had an idea for something else to work on (accessible housing lending) in addition. Also, last night I fell asleep wondering how I might implement my own plan at my own (rental) house. Next thing I knew I was researching large potted trees since we already have a paved extension of the driveway where we could put some chairs. Thank you thank you! I look forward to what this has begun. I needed the hope. I think we all did.
Suzanne
Suzanne Taylor
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