posted on Jul, 2 2010 @ 03:49 AM
Hello everyone. My name is Sid and I'm an average Engineering student. I've just completed my second year at University. In this time, I've met all
sorts of people, I've made some friends and I've had the opportunity to observe the students around me ; their behavior, the things they talk about,
and in general I've got the opportunity to experience the psychi of my peers.
In and outside University, the question of our future often pops up. The question of why we study and get our degrees is one that comes up implicitly
and explicitly from time to time. The focus nowadays seems to be about our careers, making money and living a comfortable life. But for me, the
question has always been, not what career I'm building up to, but what purpose. Our generation has a great task upon itself ; oil is running low and
the switch to alternative energy is not just essential to the survival of mankind but the planet as a whole, transistors are soon to reach a critical
size limit and if we are to continue to progress technologically a fundamental redesign of this basic building block will be essential, the population
of the world continues to grow exponentially and with it the strain on basic resources and the need for ever faster technological and social
"jumps". These are some of the more urgent matters we need to tend to, but there are other exciting developments like nanotechnology, stem cells,
increased understanding of the human brain and the fundamental truths of our Universe, that promise to propel us into a new age.
But where is that enthusiasm we need ? I find comfort in believing that there is something greater than myself. In believing that the knowledge I gain
is an asset to be used for the betterment of mankind. That my life has a purpose, and that we may together build a great future. I know there are
others out there, searching for a purpose greater than their own comfort, who are open to the world and not closed into the shell of their material
desires. In fact I'm sure every one of us has a yearning for such a purpose, but sometimes it just gets lost and trampled upon. I want to meet those
people, I want us to be a team. Great ideas need stimulation from others. Einstein when working at the swiss patent office used to discuss his ideas
with a small group of his friends and this kept him going. This is the kind of thing I envisioned having at University, a group that discussed and
searched for solutions and ways to improve the world. I am still searching for such a group.
I want people to believe that they have a purpose and discuss it and make it happen.
I don't know how I can rally people into a group. It is awkward talking to my peers about this motive. Some don't understand it, and some will
probably think I've gone all emo lol . But I just want us to think about how we are going to overcome some of the challenges that face us, just like
a business would devise a strategy to overcome its challenges and be successful.
So the questions to ask yourself are ; do you want to live a purposeful life ? What are your assets ? Do you believe that we can rally others like us
? How do we do it ? How do we sustain it, and make it work ?