Why are we so negative with respect to
our own time? Why are we prone to
generalize about the shortcomings of the world in which we are so blessed to
live? No one in the past ever felt entitled? The aristocrats of 18th century France come to mind, and they paid a very heavy price. Were people not
impolite in the past? Socrates thought they were. He complained about the youth of his time: "The children now love
luxury. They have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for
elders and love chatter in place of exercise." It seems that both rudeness and
entitlement were problems in the fourth century BCE.
What would happen if, instead, we used the phrase,
“in today’s world” to list the gifts of our own time? Let’s try it.
·
In today’s world, society is making progress against
crime. The homicide rate in Canada
has fallen to 1.44 victims per 100, 000 population, the lowest rate since 1966,
according to Statistics Canada.
·
In today’s world, a political
party can win an election against all odds without using attack ads (see
Liberal Party of Canada, 2015 general election campaign).
·
In today’s world, I can stay in touch with friends more
easily because of technology.
·
In today’s world, ordinary
people give hundreds of dollars to help people they don’t even know.
·
In today’s world, poverty rates are falling. The UN's latest development report states
that poverty reduction drives in the developing world are exceeding all
expectations. It says: "The world is witnessing a epochal 'global
rebalancing' with higher growth in at least 40 poor countries helping lift
hundreds of millions out of poverty and into a new 'global middle class'. Never
in history have the living conditions and prospects of so many people changed
so dramatically and so fast."
·
In today’s world, wars kill fewer people, slightly up from 2005, but down from the early 1970’s, and way
down from the 1940’s.
·
In today’s world, it is no
longer a crime to be a homosexual.
·
In today’s world, 86% of children in the world are immunized from polio and diphtheria.
·
In today’s world, First Nations
people can vote (only since 1960!).
·
In today’s world, more women have
control over their own lives than ever before.
·
In today’s world, thanks to
Internet and Smartboards, a teacher can bring the world to the classroom. No more ordering films six months in
advance, or ordering books for a classroom project from the provincial library
to supplement the school library collection.
Are there issues in our world that need work? Of course. There have always been. The question is, why are we so nostalgic for a past that seems better to us, maybe even ideal, a golden age.
I’ve often wondered what golden age people would want for their own
lifetime? How would it possible to
avoid genocide, famine, war, assassinations, dictatorships, apartheid, economic
depressions, natural disasters, disease, witch hunts of all kinds, revolution,
inquisitions, bad government, discrimination, forced marriages, religious persecution, poor houses, child labour? As
for me and my house, we will take our own era, with all its challenges and its blessings.
That’s why, although I never make New
Year’s resolutions, I think 2016 is a great year to break my resolve. This year, I propose to use the phrase “in today’s world” to praise and publicize the good in our world rather than to denigrate any of its inhabitants or
conditions.
New Year’s resolution for 2016:
Use the phrase “in today’s world” to point
out the good and the goodness of our era.
