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New Thoughts
Topic Started: Sep 25 2009, 01:12 PM (153 Views)
Sedulius
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Field Marshal
I've been thinking a lot lately. About the Order. About all these pipe dreams. About life in general.

I don't want to be a politician. I've said so many terrible things on here, many concerning matters of life and death, many concerning the personal rights of citizens. E is right, aggression by the state is wrong. I don't want to be the one responsible for oppression.

But my logic is circular. I am an honorable man. I am a naturally good leader. Many in government are horrible leaders and are corrupt. Would it not be better for me to use my good qualities for the better of at least one community? By my reckoning, even if I don't want it, politics is where I belong, because it's where I can most effectively help others. When it comes down to the tough decisions, I will be all the more cautious because of my wish not to oppress.

All I really want to do is settle down and have a family. If I do want to get an organization going, I would want it to be the honorable Order. Forget all that other stuff. I am abandoning that ambition.

But what I want to do doesn't solve what I'm going to do for the rest of my life. So I'm left thinking, what should I do with myself? I've confirmed that I want to live a life of honor and not of ambition, but where do I go from there?
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flumes
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CLEVELAND ROCKS!
Sedulius
Sep 25 2009, 01:12 PM
I've been thinking a lot lately. About the Order. About all these pipe dreams. About life in general.

I don't want to be a politician. I've said so many terrible things on here, many concerning matters of life and death, many concerning the personal rights of citizens. E is right, aggression by the state is wrong. I don't want to be the one responsible for oppression.

But my logic is circular. I am an honorable man. I am a naturally good leader. Many in government are horrible leaders and are corrupt. Would it not be better for me to use my good qualities for the better of at least one community? By my reckoning, even if I don't want it, politics is where I belong, because it's where I can most effectively help others. When it comes down to the tough decisions, I will be all the more cautious because of my wish not to oppress.

All I really want to do is settle down and have a family. If I do want to get an organization going, I would want it to be the honorable Order. Forget all that other stuff. I am abandoning that ambition.

But what I want to do doesn't solve what I'm going to do for the rest of my life. So I'm left thinking, what should I do with myself? I've confirmed that I want to live a life of honor and not of ambition, but where do I go from there?
Do something you love Sed... If you know you won't enjoy being a politician, don't do it. At least, don't start there... Why not be successful in something you love doing? After many years of success there, then you can examine the event's of the world you have witnessed, and try and change the world accordingly through public office.
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East Anarx
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Anarchitect

Glad to hear it, Sed.

There are many ways you can be a leader and make a real difference in your community, none of them involve violence, (whether directly or indirectly through the mechanism of the state.) The tool of the state cannot be used for good; at best it is superfluous and unnecessary, at worst it is destructive and tyrannical. Lead by example, not by force.

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." ~ Gandhi
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Union
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Pyrenees Republic
State coercion is a tool, Sed. Do not listen to extremists that decry it as universally bad, or idealists that claim it is universally good. State coercion is impartial. It can be used for good or evil. If you feel you can do good, do not abandon that dream because of what others say.
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Nag Ehgoeg
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The Devil's Advocate

Power must be wielded by those who do not want it. For those who crave power are those who would abuse it. Those who fear the corruption of power - those who would shun the hallowed halls of corruption with disdain - are those who are needed.

It's not about whether the State is right or wrong. It's about right or wrong. It's not about your happiness. It's about happiness.

Hmm... that started as a movie quote then went to a different place.

Meh. Most people abandon their dreams of changing the system: it's called growing up.

Most people also don't know what they want to do with their lives. That's what college is for. Take some elective classes, volunteer a little. Find something you like.
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Sedulius
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People have suggested I should cook. People have suggested I should go into computer science. I'd be good at both and I'd enjoy both.

I'd also like to get back into art and music, but though I'm talented, I know I'm not talented enough in those to make something of myself.

If I stay my current path, I'll rise through the ranks of society pretty quickly. It is also honorable to finish what I started.

It all comes down to honor. I put the people before myself. Perhaps I don't want to go into politics, but it's where I might do the most good.

I have time to think about it, I suppose.

There's just so much I want to do with my life, but so little time to do it in. I'd love to master all fields of study. I'd love to lead. I'd love to produce goods. I'd love to produce fine works. But there just isn't enough time.

I only have enough time to establish myself well that I may have a prosperous family, and then I may pass my lessons on to that family. I suppose that's also, in a way, why I originally founded the order. I was the leader. I was the philosopher. I was the Father. I passed on my knowledge, and it helped people. I wonder where I went wrong, but I think I know. I thought too much of myself, and rather than do my duty, I was absorbed into the luxuries of my life.

Now I have no such luxuries, and I am left alone with my thoughts. Perhaps it was for the best that I lost everything. It made me remember who I was.
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New Harumf
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Bloodthirsty Unicorn
It's a shame you are not at a school with a fencing team!
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Sedulius
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New Harumf
Sep 27 2009, 09:25 AM
It's a shame you are not at a school with a fencing team!
I do need a good fencing team.

Eisenhower High School has one, but I'm over two years past high school.
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