Start of some not so random musings...

So how do we go about eliciting the changes within our society and our world to move toward clean, dependable and independent power, and reverse the trend of increasing apathy and isolationism – not in terms of our politics – but in terms of our lives? How do we accomplish true success globally?

We cannot wait for the politicians – the political system makes real change almost impossible at the rate that change is currently necessary. We cannot wait for society as a whole – society is made up of individuals, many of whom feel powerless against the status quo. We must learn and lead by example. It is our responsibility – each and every one of us - to DO it, not wait for it. In the doing we will illicit the change in society. Individuals change society – not the other way around. If left to its own devices, “society” will strive only to maintain the current state of being. It is more comfortable. It is easier. It is less scary.

Collaboration is the key to success – how do you create a template for success that best utilizes all of the resources that the world has to offer. Just building a successful company is not enough. Thomas Freidman has many examples of companies, both in the US and abroad that have successfully integrated culturally and professionally. We have to do more than that. We have to do it in such a way, with such a vehicle so as to inspire. To show what is necessary to keep America at the top of the game…not because we deserve it, but because we earned it.

The complexity is enormous and the challenge is beyond the level of anything I’ve ever even contemplated, but it could be argued that it is our imperative, our patriotic duty to determine the direction. I know that I am neither smart enough nor experienced enough to do it on my own. So where does one begin? It must be a convergence of forces – of minds and skills that far outstrip any individual. But again, where does one start – is it with the idea or is it with the team? I would put forth that you begin with a group of people and a goal…not a product or a service, but with an idea of what you wish to attain and use the minds and wills of the right team to build it. It begins with the dream of proving that it is possible, not only to succeed, but foremost to inspire. It looks too big. It looks like it would never be possible for one person – or even a small group of people – to reverse the trend – to get America thinking, learning and working again. We need to help people understand the necessity of creative thought. The necessity of turning off the TV and the X-Box and expanding ourselves beyond ourselves. It is science, it is math, but it is also the arts, and humanities because without art and humanities, we loose our ability to relate to one another, and that is every bit as critical – if not more so.

It (whatever “it” is) must be a combination of education and commerce. We have to explain the dots before we can start to connect them. The biggest single challenge that I believe we face is the sense of entitlement that we have as a society. We don’t want to have to work for success, because we have come to simply expect it. That expectation will be the death of us because someone forgot to tell the rest of the world that we just “get” to stay on top. Military might and fear-mongering are antithetical to the goal of global success. I have to learn how to adapt quickly. I say “I” only because it is the only thing over which I have any real control. I have no say in what “we” do or what “they” do, but I can, with my actions, influence the “we” and the “they” and so it is my moral responsibility to do so.

Thomas Friedman talks about energy as being one of the prime possibilities for inspiring the nation to take a step forward. I agree that if we could generate excitement in and among society to reach a technological goal it would have huge long range ramifications. JFK had one, rather large, advantage when he announced that we were going to the moon…he was the President of the United States. So how does one person (because that is where it starts) build enough momentum and make enough noise to be heard by a nation when he or she does not have the resources of the Presidency at their disposal? Perhaps they don’t have to. Perhaps it is enough to start working toward a goal with the outcomes in mind – and with that sweep more people into the flow. Perhaps it starts with one, then it becomes two, then 10 then 100 then you gain enough momentum to pull more people along. Build excitement, build success, and then you will start getting people’s attention.