Is What We Write All In Vain?

[Ed. Note: I placed this comment on the Luminosity website, and after I read it, I felt that my readers would be interested on my feelings in general with respect to world issues. The original post is available here.]

I am still conducting research before I attempt to address the Israel situation in my weblog. I simply haven't had the time to read the history of the Isreal / Palestine conflict that you recommended.

Why should you care what other people think about your opinions on the matter? Because I believe that us, as individuals have the power to be heard and make a positive difference in world affiars. If we left politics to someone else, then it would be the ignorant, the bullies, the brash, the conceited, and the warlike who would be running the show -- and that scares me.

I care about what you think about the situation because we all have opinions. We all have beliefs, morals, and opinions, which may be different, but might allow me (the reader) to see the problem in a different light. Intelligence should be measured by the number of sides a person can view a problem.

A part of the reason why I started my weblog is that I felt powerless. I have seen the writings of famous bloggers open the eyes of readers, making them more passionate about the atrocities this world endures on a daily basis. In the developed world, this influences the opinions of voters and consumers, which can have an impact on politics and economics.

A friend once told me that he felt that the path to Heaven was through your efforts on this Earth while you were alive -- that you were admitted if you left the world in a better state than the wone you were given at birth. Heaven in this case can be arbitrary; it can be replaced with happiness, fulfilment, or accomplishment -- which can all be achieved if you do your part. It can be as simple as recycling, or working for an environmental company (like I do); it can happen if you join poitical action committees, volunteer for charities, or even writing in a blog where strangers and friends can read what's on your mind.

I can relate to feeling powerless or hopeless. I feel this way more often than not. I have just had to forget the odds that my writing would never be read. I felt that being ignorant was worse than trying. I believe, I care, and I am willing to fight for a more peaceful, healthy, tolerant world. I may not be able to single-handledly change the world, but I hope I could be part of a movement.

To quote one of my favorite bands, KMFDM: Does it really matter what you believe? Does it really matter if you belong? My answer is it shouldn't.