The most radical political act there is

The other day I posted about turning New York into “one big vacation” by reducing the traffic that make our streets dangerous and our air filthy, making the rivers swimable, building more parks and planting more trees. A couple of commenters responded by saying that I should be realistic.

I am not realistic. I never want to be realistic. God save us all from realism, especially if it means we have to limit our vision for the world.

Most of us love our children and want to be polite to our neighbors. Most of us, unless we are diseased by terrible living conditions or alcohol or drugs, would rather give than steal. Most of us, in our hearts, want peace and harmony for ourselves and for the rest of the world. Most of us, too, believe that we should take good care of the planet, just because it is the right thing to do. In other words, in the depths of our hearts, most of us are not “realistic.”

When I was child, and I first heard of war, I was appalled. My mother had taught me hitting was wrong. I categorically understood that people should not hurt each other. Then I grew up and I became realistic. Peace, feeding the hungry, a healthy planet, an end to war, these things just aren’t realistically possible, a mature mind understands. Well, when it comes to these things, I’ve been both an idealistic child and a realistic grownup, and I think I was a better person when I was an idealistic child.

I believe in the goodness of human nature. I believe we can get distracted by many things, but that, ultimately, we all want to do what is best. Because that is true of people, I believe we can make the planet better for all of us, that we can have peace, feed the hungry and end war.

I believe too that every action each of us takes makes a difference. Every time each of us rejects a disposable bag brings the world one step closer to being the kind of place where sea turtles don’t die from eating plastic. Every time each of us sacrifices a car ride brings us the world one step closer to being the kind of place where there is no global warming. Every time one of us tithes our income brings us one step closer to ending world poverty. Every time one of us calls a member of congress brings our representatives one step closer to caring more about voters than campaign contributors.

Perhaps people will think I’m too optimistic. But this is for certain: these things can’t be true if no one takes the chance of believing they’re true. Because if we don’t believe they are true, we won’t act as though they’re true. And if we don’t act as though they’re true, they can’t come true. That’s why realism does little but protect the status quo.

Being optimistic, on the other hand, is the most radical political act there is.

Comments

[Joe]

Beautiful. The true soul of grassroots political and social action.

Have you ever read the book "ecotopia"? It protrays a vision of what I think you wish New York would be like. Might be something to look into.

To be honest, with the rise in information technology that we are seeing, and telecommunications as well, more and more people will be able to work from home. Or from a park. When the idea of the "office" becomes a thing of the past, New Yorkers may just retourn to their eco roots just a little bit and perhaps put more thought into their public spaces.

Again, love the blog.

[Sara]

This reminded me of the Ani DiFranco song Subdivision...where she sings:

"I remember the first time I saw someone
lying on the cold street...
I thought: I can't just walk past here,
this can't just be true.
But I learned by example
to just keep moving my feet
it's amazing the things that we all learn to do..."

Where would this world be without people who are unreasonably passionate about their causes? You are a shining light in the darkness...keep it up!

Sara
www.livelightlytour.com

[Carl of PseudoPower]

Well said! You took the words out of my mouth!

It's rare to find people like you around. Maybe I'm in the wrong place (houston, texas).

Everything that a realist believes came from an idealist at one point.

[willow]

"We should act as if the effect of everything we do lasts a thousand years -because it does!"

I can't remember where I first heard this but I often repeat it to myself. Every action that we take has some effect on somebody or something even if it is so small as to be unmeasurable. We must make the small changes and be optimistic that others will too.

[becky]

hear, hear! beautifully said!

[One Eyed Daruma]

I will never forget the time I had to take a "personality" test for a management position. They asked questions about how we'd handle certain situations and how we'd feel about certain events. I scored as "naive," mainly because, in most cases, I chose the answer that showed a basic trust in humanity. From that point forward, I've worn my "naivete" as a badge. If all the doubters and realists just did instead of denied, things would be different. I will not succumb to the belief that things cannot change.

[Jrod]

The reality is, you'd be eaten by a lion if we lived in the utopia you dream of. Though I suppose you could idealize the act before you lost consciousness as just being part of the food chain. Optimistically, the lion wouldn't eat your spouse, because it'd be full for a while.

[Anonymous]

I recall Jeff Tweedy from Wilco once saying something to the effect of 'all art is inherently political in that the artist chooses to create rather than destroy.'

[Kerren]

If we were all "realistic" we never would have reached the moon. Most of our inventions and innovations would never have come to fruition.

[Becca]

Thanks for your optimism and your stringent defense of doing what we believe in even if it seems to make no difference; we do it because we believe that one day, if we and others do it enough, it will. This is the essense of trying to live a good life, knowing that we are just a drop of water in a vast (and often polluted) ocean, but that if enough of us catch on to an idea, we can--to totally flog a metaphor to death--make some waves.

[Least Footprint]

Is there not some realism to the fact that everyone, self included, has a selfish nature, at least in part? That is not to say that everyone is selfish all the time, but it does take a conscious determined effort to be selfless. It is why advertising is so effective. It speaks to our selfish desire, manufactures a previously unknown void, and then shows us how we can fill that void with the latest greatest stuff. Only those who deliberately put down the selfish nature will pause and reflect on the consequences of the purchase. Most just mindlessly consume.

[jason]

Optimism is fine and good, but only so long as it doesn't interfere with reality. I'd much rather have a pessimistic realist putting their efforts into something that actually works than some optimistic idealist wasting time and resources because they don't realize that some things just don't work that way.

[Rebekah]

I think the challenge is to be both idealistic AND realistic. That is, to keep sight of our ideals and continually strive toward them, but also to periodically take note of the impact of our actions and be flexible in our thinking. Are our well-intended deeds having some inadvertent detrimental effect (and can we remedy it)? Is our pacifism allowing someone else to be victimized (and is there a way to intervene without resorting to violence)? Are we spending vast amounts of one resource in order to conserve another? Have we become self-satisfied with our idealism and gone "back to sleep"? It is difficult to constantly evaluate this way and not give in to "fear, uncertainty, doubt", but it is crucial if we are to actually make a difference.

That said, in general I think the world could use more idealism, and this post is a great start!

[f. lynd]

Optimism is fine and good, but only so long as it doesn't interfere with reality. I'd much rather have a pessimistic realist putting their efforts into something that actually works than some optimistic idealist wasting time and resources because they don't realize that some things just don't work that way

I agree, Jason. And thank you.

[Anne]

I sometimes think that the only thing that gets in the way of a clean environment, an end to war, hunger, and poverty, is the belief that we can't do it. Because as long as we believe we can't -- it isn't realistic, other people won't buy into it, one person can't do it all -- we can justify getting back on the treadmill of making sure we have it a little bit better than the Jones' next door.

[jessica]

amen! i don't think being optimistic means being naive or just sitting around dreaming, as some commenters have insinuated, but instead believing in what you imagine enough to be motivated to live in such a way that will bring it about. i often think about bike riding in this way. sure, it can be dangerous, but if everyone says "bicycling on the road is dangerous" and doesn't do it, then cars will continue to rule. the more people get out there and bike, the more others will feel comfortable joining them, the more visibility will raise, the more auto-drivers will become aware of their right to be there, the more the government will respond with programming, etc. an optimistic attitude can bring the dream into reality! i'm a strong believer in self-fulfilling prophesy.

[syd]

"wasting time and resources" I think the point of no impact man is not to waste resources, so problem solved his optimism pass the criteria.

Seriously, reality is we are made up of millions of tiny electrons whizzing around in space. The only reason my chair hold me up is because of my belief in the reality of it.

Sounds kooky, it is, reality is things just work that way. So, what if everyone decided to change their thinking? Folks will say they can't change. It's unrealistic. Maybe maybe, but I can and that's a start.

[Alex]

"Seriously, reality is we are made up of millions of tiny electrons whizzing around in space." Syd

True in spirit.

"The only reason my chair hold me up is because of my belief in the reality of it."

Yeah... No, no, no a thousand times no. If you want to make a difference in the world, the first step is to live in the world rather than some ridiculous make-believe fantasy-land.

"Sounds kooky, it is, reality is things just work that way."

No, they don't. Stop reading The Secret and try a textbook. Try doing something - change your actions, not just your thinking.

[donthewanderer]

All of you are crazy. Some of you in a good way and some of you in a bad way.

I am optomistic that this movement will become a reality. Progressive older people and younger people will make it happen. It will just be a matter of time.

If you can believe for a minute that change can happen, and you can pass that belief on to someone else, if only you do it to one other person, then you have accomplished something great.

[Darcy]

This post needs to be on the NIM greatest hits album. I love it. Thank you!!

[Lorena]

"But this is for certain: these things can’t be true if no one takes the chance of believing they’re true. Because if we don’t believe they are true, we won’t act as though they’re true. And if we don’t act as though they’re true, they can’t come true. That’s why realism does little but protect the status quo."

Colin, I've never really gone in for "hero worship", but this is exactly why I admire you and am so happy that you are sharing your thoughts, beliefs and actions with us here.

I think we all could benefit from getting back in touch with the innocent, idealistic child within. When we ignore that child, and base our decisions on anything else, we lose our way, causing more harm to ourselves and others.

[tony]

Colin- I know my life isn't as noimpact as yours. Maybe that's not the point. But you inspire me to try new things; to see myself as a person who by making ecologically responsible decisions is a better american and a better citizen of the world. I say embrace idealism!

[Jenette]

There is a new movie coming out that is a great over view of what has been done to the planet and how we have a selfish nature but if we put our minds together and vote with our $ we can make it better.
See the preview http://wip.warnerbros.com/11thhour/ meet the people http://www.11thhouraction.com/people.

[sara]

you and your family are inspiring! I have read your typepad for quite awhile and have not left any messages. you are right we need to realize that every small step we as an individual take makes a great impact on the whole. i think that people have (including myself) just sat back and thought what difference could i make. me being so small. i will buy what i want and it will not make any difference. i hope we as a whole we wake up and understand we all can make a difference. where we shop, what we eat, how we carry item out of a store, and where are money goes. this is the only earth we have. may we take care of it. if not for ourselves, but for all our children. I wish you and your family the best on this adventure your are all on. you only live once enjoy all that you will gain.

[Erin]

Amen, No Impact Man. You rock.