Week 18: Bettering the world — Part 1
It is tougher than I imagined it to be
I have a new-found admiration for innovators and entrepreneurs who create something from scratch and make lives better because they did just that.
I’ve been working on my Capstone project the last month or so. As I’m doing a MSc in Innovation, our Capstone requires us to come up with a new idea to solve an existing problem (no surprises there).
And, for now, my thoughts have mainly revolved around this — bettering the world is a lot more difficult than I’d thought it would be.
When I was younger, I have always felt compelled to make the world a better place, somehow. But I’m only starting to realise that feeling strongly compassionate about or empathising strongly with something, does not necessarily mean you can or will know how to DO something about it (at least, not alone).
Take this visual for example.
(“Scientific visualization of a blue whale’s movements in an area with a high level of boat traffic. The blue shape is a whale trying to feed while avoiding vessels in the Gulf of Ancud near Chile. (Image credit: Luis Bedriñana-Romano)”)
Do I feel for the whale? YES. Do I feel compelled to do something? YES. Do I know what to do? Sadly, no.
Working on this Capstone exposed me to all the behind the scenes of a seemingly simple idea that’s put out in the market. What problem am I solving? Is it really a problem worth solving? How would I contribute in a way that others have not already tried and succeeded, or failed, at?
Growing up listening to songs like Imagine and Man in the Mirror, most days I’d be hopeful that we have the power to enact change on a large scale.
“If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make that change.” — Michael Jackson
Now I’m starting to realise it’s a lot more complex than that. There is so much more to learn (hence, “Part 1” in the title of this story).
Whilst I don’t aspire to be the next Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, or Elon Musk (after all, how many of us can be?) I do still hope to create my little ripple in the world, some day. So, stay tuned for an update on this “Bettering the world” series. I’m sure I’ll have a lot more thoughts on it as the Capstone project progresses.
“You may say I’m a dreamer. But I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us. And the world will be as one.” — John Lennon
