Is "Be the part of the change you want to see in the world!" bullshit?

[Belacqua]

This is how I interpret the meaning of "Be the change you wish to see in the world." If you think the world is cruel and greedy, you have to make yourself as kind and generous as possible. If the world is evil, you make yourself good. And you do this knowing it will have no impact on society at all. 

I would agree with this, though I also recognize that leading by example is a thing, and that others might follow - though I have no expectation that they will.

I think that's exactly right. We can hope that setting an example helps -- though in the end who knows. I hope that good parents, good teachers, etc. still have an effect, even if Hollywood usually teaches the opposite. 

I'm pretty sure that everything I'm saying here was modeled for me by my parents.

[Jackalope]

I would agree with this, though I also recognize that leading by example is a thing, and that others might follow - though I have no expectation that they will.

I think that's exactly right. We can hope that setting an example helps -- though in the end who knows. I hope that good parents, good teachers, etc. still have an effect, even if Hollywood usually teaches the opposite. 

I'm pretty sure that everything I'm saying here was modeled for me by my parents.

My parents were not good role models, I came by it the hard way.

[Ahriman]

I would agree with this, though I also recognize that leading by example is a thing, and that others might follow - though I have no expectation that they will.

I think that's exactly right. We can hope that setting an example helps -- though in the end who knows. I hope that good parents, good teachers, etc. still have an effect, even if Hollywood usually teaches the opposite. 

I'm pretty sure that everything I'm saying here was modeled for me by my parents.

They don't. Hollywood is right. It's a disgusting reality, but there you go.

[Belacqua]

I think that's exactly right. We can hope that setting an example helps -- though in the end who knows. I hope that good parents, good teachers, etc. still have an effect, even if Hollywood usually teaches the opposite. 

I'm pretty sure that everything I'm saying here was modeled for me by my parents.

They don't. Hollywood is right. It's a disgusting reality, but there you go.

Admiral at Earth HQ: Handsome Spaceship Captain! The Alien is too strong! Retreat and return to Earth immediately! This is a direct order!

Handsome Spaceship Captain: No can do Admiral! [switches off radio] OK, crew, I'm going after that alien! Who's with me?

Crew: Yeah!

[Handsome Spaceship Captain meets alien, has a fistfight, defeats alien through superior use of violence]

Admiral at Earth HQ: You've done it, Handsome Spaceship Captain! You're a hero! Here's a medal!

8-Year-Old Boy watching at home: I have learned that we succeed by disobedience and the use of violence.

[Thumpalumpacus]

The powers that be made all of the legal decisions that made civil rights, abolition, women's right to vote, and all that other stuff, into reality. It had nothing to do with any kind of social movement.

And why did they make those laws? Do you think pols don't pay attention, if for no other reason than to stay in power?

[Ravenshire]

This is how I interpret the meaning of "Be the change you wish to see in the world." If you think the world is cruel and greedy, you have to make yourself as kind and generous as possible. If the world is evil, you make yourself good. And you do this knowing it will have no impact on society at all. 

I would agree with this, though I also recognize that leading by example is a thing, and that others might follow - though I have no expectation that they will.

If there's no example to follow, it's guaranteed they won't!

[Belacqua]

I would agree with this, though I also recognize that leading by example is a thing, and that others might follow - though I have no expectation that they will.

If there's no example to follow, it's guaranteed they won't!

There will always be examples to follow. Whether they are good ones or not is another question.

I don't think that "The Guy Who's the Biggest Asshole Wins" is a particularly good message, but you see it everywhere. Likewise "The One Who Makes the Most Effective Use of Violence is the Hero."

[Ravenshire]

If there's no example to follow, it's guaranteed they won't!

There will always be examples to follow. Whether they are good ones or not is another question.

I don't think that "The Guy Who's the Biggest Asshole Wins" is a particularly good message, but you see it everywhere. Likewise "The One Who Makes the Most Effective Use of Violence is the Hero."

You have a very simplistic an jaded view of society.

You're also well off the topic of being the change you want to see, and that's what I was addressing, not whether or not there are also bad examples.

[Ahriman]

If there's no example to follow, it's guaranteed they won't!

There will always be examples to follow. Whether they are good ones or not is another question.

I don't think that "The Guy Who's the Biggest Asshole Wins" is a particularly good message, but you see it everywhere. Likewise "The One Who Makes the Most Effective Use of Violence is the Hero."

Well it doesn't matter if it's a good message or not, it's still the truth.

[Belacqua]

There will always be examples to follow. Whether they are good ones or not is another question.

I don't think that "The Guy Who's the Biggest Asshole Wins" is a particularly good message, but you see it everywhere. Likewise "The One Who Makes the Most Effective Use of Violence is the Hero."

Well it doesn't matter if it's a good message or not, it's still the truth.

Sad to say, you're probably right. According to the standards by which the world judges, assholes win, and heroes use violence.