What If

I often find myself wondering, what if? What if we didn't mold and shape this thing into an elitist domain? What if those who claimed to be working to make this thing more accessible for us actually did the job? What if they focused on their responsibilities instead of turning it into another superficial platform for showcasing themselves? And what if those who professed to be the voice of the voiceless genuinely took the time to understand their lived experiences? Can they truly become their voice, expressing their thoughts, hopes, fears, and aspirations? Is that even possible?

I don't have all the answers, but I can't help but ponder. What if we weren't all consumed by our egos? What if self-service wasn't our top priority? What if instant gratification didn't dictate our actions, and if community still held meaning for us? What if we considered the impact of our actions on others? Surely, there would be more harmony and peace, don't you think?

You know, the "thing" I kept referring to at the beginning of this conversation is sustainability. It occupies my thoughts, as I reflect on how far we've strayed from this profoundly significant concept. What if we prioritized sustainability, just as we do kindness, love, happiness, and our own well-being? Our world would be remarkably different. It's perplexing because at the core of sustainability lie noble values like respect, empathy, fairness, and kindness—virtues we often champion. Yet, here we are, failing to extend these virtues to what truly matters around us. Under the guise of activism and charity, we have engaged with nature and underserved communities without genuine empathy, kindness, or respect.

We should consider it a blessing that nature is "voiceless" (and I use that term loosely), as it would have chastised us out of our foolishness. Why else would we plunder nature and communities of their age-old treasures, only to erect billboards in distant cities, pretending to give them a voice? Oh, forgive me for my sarcasm, but why erect massive billboards when such an act has little bearing on the true reality of the voiceless? It becomes even murkier when we water down their distressing realities to fit our narrow scope of wrong, all to boost our messianic aspirations. Everyone wants to be at the pinnacle of the messianic pyramid, even if it means sacrificing any semblance of true hope for the voiceless. We hop from one stage to another, parading our band-aid solutions under the guise of sustainability and being the voice of the voice of the voiceless.

 

 

At its core, sustainability is premised on building a world that strives to be fair and healthy—a world with healthy people, a healthy environment, and a healthy planet. Sustainability requires us to ensure that the things we design today, be it products, services, or culture, have the potential to increase in value, especially as we look towards the future.

Imagine, if you will, that sustainability is akin to a good stock for an investor

 

I've got a good load of blames in me to throw here and there and at myself. We'll save that for another day. Or the next couple of posts. 

Coherently, I will lay them down. 

 

Enjoy this chaotic one for now. I gave it how it lives in my head.