This year I have been reminded of one of my first essays "The ostrich effect" where I described how when a problem gets too big many people in the world just look away. Now I believe there is an even more dangerous phenomena. 2016 has been a year where we can see potentially dangerous things about to happen and still not do anything about it. I am reminded of the quote "All it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."
There are three things which I think illustrate my point. I recently saw the film "Snowden" where I learnt more about the NSA spy activities. I'm the first one to agree with security measures. If I could I would be in Australia's military. But we must always be vigilant to protect our freedom. I think the best way to make the world secure and safe is by becoming more globally connected, not building walls.
This year people are giving in to fear, fear only breeds fear. Maybe because I spend so much time sitting in my wheelchair, I am able to see the good in the world.
We need to see the world as a whole, see ourselves as part of one human family and see the human family as part of one earthly planet.
I am not stupid, there are big problems in the world. There are many people living in poverty. There is war. And there is environmental sustainability issues, so let's stop thinking in terms of right wing and left wing politics and start thinking about right thing politics.
Unity is the way forward. Let's join all the great thinkers, inventors and spiritual teachers throughout history together and create not a Utopia but a future for all.
If we do not make unity and keep liberal democracy a core value in our society then we will become that simmering frog in the pot. And we all know what happens when the pot gets too hot.
By Chris Van Ingen
There are three things which I think illustrate my point. I recently saw the film "Snowden" where I learnt more about the NSA spy activities. I'm the first one to agree with security measures. If I could I would be in Australia's military. But we must always be vigilant to protect our freedom. I think the best way to make the world secure and safe is by becoming more globally connected, not building walls.
This year people are giving in to fear, fear only breeds fear. Maybe because I spend so much time sitting in my wheelchair, I am able to see the good in the world.
We need to see the world as a whole, see ourselves as part of one human family and see the human family as part of one earthly planet.
I am not stupid, there are big problems in the world. There are many people living in poverty. There is war. And there is environmental sustainability issues, so let's stop thinking in terms of right wing and left wing politics and start thinking about right thing politics.
Unity is the way forward. Let's join all the great thinkers, inventors and spiritual teachers throughout history together and create not a Utopia but a future for all.
If we do not make unity and keep liberal democracy a core value in our society then we will become that simmering frog in the pot. And we all know what happens when the pot gets too hot.
By Chris Van Ingen
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