You sure you want to know?
Anyway, it is a mix of idealism backed up with a strong dose of
realism, cynicism and skepticism.
Before NS, it was more of idealism. Coming from a so-called "top
school", I believed that people were inherently good, would work
together towards a common goal, and generally will co-operate with
each other. That's what we did, we studied and worked hard to get
good results not only for ourselves, but which also counted towards
the rankings of the class, and eventually the school.
During NS, I realised that such idealism was more of a lost cause
out in the real world.
In the past year (2003), I have begun to figure out why.
The answers may be too frightening to share with anyone except
thinking people who can accept the reality of the situation.
I now firmly believe that we are in the midst of a global decline
in world civilization and that short of a miracle there is nothing
to be done about it.
The part of me who remains an idealist hopes that there may be a
way out, a soft landing.
The realist part disagrees.
