I'm in my mid twentys, and I'm just beginning to see a larger picture when it comes to the direction I want my life to take(wierd right?). A big part of this is where I want to live. I know that I want a place full of oppertunity; a place full of coffee shops and bars that I can go an d meet people, and full of people I can go and learn a skill from(guitar, ballroom dancing, anything). I grew up in a small town In South Carolina, and never had this. It's an easy thought to move to a place that has this; a lot of people in my town do move out for more oppertunity, but is that what a "responsible citizen" does? Does a "responsible citizen" leave their home to get a better community, or do they figure how to make there home an ideal community for them, and others? For example I love comics; people like Jeff Lemire, Scott Snyder, and Alan Moore, to name a few, write brilliant stories with talented artist that I get a lot enjoyment reading . So my ideal community is one near a legit Comic store, but also it occurs to me to open a comic store near my home, or encourage a comic retailer to take interest In that area. Why not bring a new business to my home community to create revenue, a place to meet people, and make the community more appealing to others? This is just an example, and not I'm necessarily looking for an excuse or support to have my own comic store, but bringing up the point of trying to bring attention to what a citizens responsibility of where they choose live is. So hubski, any thoughts?
I think everyone should try living somewhere new at least once in their life. There are many things you don't know about yourself and won't get to know if you don't throw yourself into a new environment and new experiences. Moving could make you realize that what you really value is the place your grew up, in a way you would never understand if you didn't leave. Alternately you might realize that the place you grew up in is a place you would never choose to be once you see what else the world has to offer you. You're young, take some chances, make some mistakes, find out who you are by running up against more of the world.
1. Wherever you are, wherever you go, you will be in the process of creating or co-creating your ideal community. 2. Hubski can argue with me, but I find that It takes one person to have an idea, but you need two to form a committee and call a meeting. "Community," ideal or not, involves others. Are there others around with shared dreams? Can your community support your dreams? 3. From the beginnings of time, young people went out into the world to seek their fortune, learn new things, and sometimes bring the new visions home. 4. Home has many advantages if you have supportive family and friends. 5. A big part of this is narrowing down and specifying your dreams, skills, talents, and having something to give the community. Good luck.
this gets really hairy though, doesn't it? Any dedicated reformer is trying to "impose his will and desires on his fellow citizens" even if one defines that as trying improve lives and general well-being. Are those who who fight, for example, for racial equality in racially-divided and racist communities irresponsible citizens? I have trouble with that idea. It kind of sounds similar to the old "If you don't like it then you can get out" mantra, which I think is narrow-minded and counterproductive to progress. I might even go as far as to say that a responsible citizen has an obligation to try to improve his community and surroundings as he sees fit. Your city doesn't have any sustainable urban gardens and few local grocers? Start an urban garden, educate your peers, and support the local grocers, even if all the Walmart employees and big-business fans in the area don't like it. Does your city have air that's dangerous to breathe because of smog? Fight for stricter emissions laws in your state. Is that imposing will and being irresponsible?A responsible citizen doesn't impose his will and desires on fellow citizens.
Torquemada was a dedicated reformer. Ted Cruz is a dedicated reformer. David Duke is a dedicated reformer. Rosa parks "imposed her will on fellow citizens" as did Gandhi. However, in both cases they were less than citizens because they were prohibited from doing things that others could. If I want to marry a man, I'm not "imposing my will" on other citizens - they won't even know I'm married to a man unless they ask me. However, if I want to pass a law saying men can't marry men, then I'm "imposing my will on other citizens." What on earth does "impove his community and surroundings" have to do with "impose his will on other citizens?" Particularly in the context of comic stores - someone can love the hell out of a comic store but there's a big difference between loving comics and deciding that opening a comic store will make the neighborhood love comics. What if instead of a comic store he wanted to open a strip club? Or a kennel? Or a supercross track? Or a marijuana dispensary? Or a methadone clinic? To which I say Let's be clear - I'm not advocating "never change things." I'm not advocating "don't rock the boat." I'm pointing out that if you like comics, go to a comics store. If you want to open a comics store, open a comics store. But don't open a comics store because you want to buy comics. Stores are a lot of work. And believe it or not, there might be people in the neighborhood that don't like comics and should you open a store, you're likely to meet them. I dunno. I'm frankly appalled that a flippant three sentence comment in response to the question "should you move or create your ideal community" has me painted as some sort of jim crow apologist. Feelin' awfully mutey this morning.Any dedicated reformer is trying to "impose his will and desires on his fellow citizens" even if one defines that as trying improve lives and general well-being.
I might even go as far as to say that a responsible citizen has an obligation to try to improve his community and surroundings as he sees fit.
Your city doesn't have any sustainable urban gardens and few local grocers? Start an urban garden, educate your peers, and support the local grocers, even if all the Walmart employees and big-business fans in the area don't like it.
Finding it is a lot less work than building it. Bonus: you get to discover new things.
Ok I see the distinction you're making between being a reformer and imposing will on others. That makes a lot of sense.
Huh. I was just looking for some clarity there. Racial division was the first example that came to mind, I had no intention of painting you as a "Jim Crow apologist..." Mute away I suppose if I've so terribly offended, and you've taken it so personally, but that was not what I had in mind. I'm pointing out that if you like comics, go to a comics store. If you want to open a comics store, open a comics store. But don't open a comics store because you want to buy comics. Stores are a lot of work.
Alright I get that. Stores certainly are a lot of work, and finding what you're looking for is certainly easier than trying to create it. Let's be clear - I'm not advocating "never change things."
Well surely not. I was having some trouble understanding exactly what you were advocating for, that's all. I dunno. I'm frankly appalled that a flippant three sentence comment in response to the question "should you move or create your ideal community" has me painted as some sort of jim crow apologist. Feelin' awfully mutey this morning.
I would advise moving to a community that interests you. You can always come back. That other place will bring you new perspectives and experiences that you cannot find where you are at. If you do decide to transform the place you are from, then these experiences will inform you and help you to do that. Your mid-twenties is a great time to be thinking on these things.
I was just listening to NPR and heard this and thought about your post. It's quite interesting, but not really worthy of it's own post. It talks about Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh and his attempts to create some community in Vegas for locals beyond the casinos and cheap rooms.
But the people who live in your town? Did they move there because their ideal community was something without the things you want? Everyone has a diffrent ideal comminity and maybe by trying to create your own you're ruining someone elses? I'm not saying it's wrong, I live in a small town that is known for it's heavy drinking and youth with a scary alchool tolerance. And here the legal drinking age is 18. I'm a wallflower, like I was the person who knew a lot about people, the person that had deep conversations with many diffrent people who all though they were the only one. I was invited to a party with alchool, with parents who were there in the beginning and left out SO MUCH ALCOHOL. Like, a lot. Like not beer and wine. Vodka and tequila and "Oh I read about this drink on the internet lets try it" I didn't drink because I know what alcohol does to a 14 year old brain. In my town there is a tradation for a really big party at the compulsory school ending age (e.g. they can't force you to go to school) that is 16. We were taught cpr and what to do if someone gets alchool poisoning because every year someone does. And that is all horrible and I have friends who are very smart and very motivated who are trying to change it. BUT every year almost everyone goes on to higher education (still not very high, but higher the "high-school") and leaves this town. Everyone goes to another town, everyone finds a new community. And every day when I go home, every time I meet someone from my old class we look at eachother, maybe wave. Everyone has realized it was fucked up. But it was still a community, one time I was having a REALLY hard time and started crying, Uncontrollably - I couldn't stop. For like an hour. And then no-one talked to me about it. No-one accused me or spread rumours. At first I though it was because they honesty didn't care. Then I heard some people talk about me. And they were talking about me, but not unkindly. And they had made damn good sure that I didn't hear it. And by god teenagers are obvious, so they must have been trying, at least a bit. And maybe they did tease me, or call me a nerd - but they respected me. They would compliment me on my schoolwork, and listen to me when I was done with my math and my teacher had told me to walk around and help others instead. And that didn't translate to getting invited to parties - but that wasn't what I wanted. I thought rhey were stupid. But I tried to encourage them and tell them that I wasn't much smarter- I just tried a lot more. that I would sit and study a lot more and that the fact they could pass without even trying meant they were smart and that they were succesful. And seeing them actually listen and feel better - at least temporarily - was what I wanted from them socially. And they thought I was a jerk who couldn't pick up on social cues. But they - they would let me sit with them if I wanted - they wouldn't ignore me. And when I did hang out with them at school events they would give me makeup tips. When we were in france they all did my hair and makeup until I looked like them. And I didn't want that every day - I prefered my books. But today i'm pretty good at makeup too. What I'm saying is - both ar probably responsible - and maybe try living somewhere else before you try and change your hometown - it will make you realize what you want to keep.
I grew up in small rural town, similar situation. Moved to a medium city, then a large one. I feel some of the same guilt, but at the same time, I doubt you'll be happy where you are. There will always be things you want to learn and do, and can't. You're also rather unlikely to effect change. Is it really worth sacrificing your own life and well-being to bail water out of the ocean?