What should we sacrifice to change the world?
Sacrifice poses lots of questions. The dictionary defines sacrifice this way: “The surrender or destruction of something prized or desirable for the sake of something considered as having a higher or more pressing claim.” When we sacrifice, we’re giving up something that we cherish for the sake of something–often intangible–that we know that we should want, but which is hard for us to understand.
When do we use the word sacrifice?
There are the idealistic connotations, as in “He sacrificed his life for the sake of his country.” (See the Big Question ‘Would you die for a cause?’ for more on this.) This is not so much about sustaining a relationship as about giving of oneself for the good of others. It’s altruistic sacrifice, which is different than the sacrifice of relationship-maintenance, where we can experience the benefits of the sacrifice afterwards.
When we talk about sacrificing in order to change the world, what kinds of things are we talking about? What are tangible things we should give up? And what are intangibles: relationships, attitudes, ways of thinking or experiencing our lives? And what motivates us: altruism and idealism? A relationship or commitment? What kinds of sacrifices, and what kinds of changes, should we attempt?
convenience.
I agree that convenience and self-interest are some of the things that need to be sacrificed to make a difference. Along the same lines, I think we also need to start sacrificing profits and bottom lines. Too often our decisions are solely motivated by financial or political concerns. We need to think more with our hearts–not our wallets–and consider how our decisions affect others. “We need to care for Mother Earth and all of her natural defences. But talk is cheap, and taking action is expensive.” –Pressure of Hilltop Hoods
i think a good place to start would be the idea that sacrifice is inherently inconvenient. there’s no need for change to be cataclysmic. and sacrifice doesn’t have to be all at once. having a small step immediately in front of you is much more concrete, sometimes even blindingly so, i think, than looking for that one thing that will turn the world upside down.
Social Cause ADD. After getting publicly (perhaps accurately) chewed out in NBN for an impersonal “soapbox speech without the good rhetoric,” I guess I owe ABQ what’s really on my mind. When I wake up my inbox is filled with ten mass emails from move-on, tree huggers, save-darfur, ed policy weekly, nyt, ad nauseum. I then send an average of 30 emails relating to everything I do on campus. If I am so overcommitted, as is all of NU, what can I/we do well. I wish I could sacrifice my inner desire to champion everything that appeals to me emotionally. Maybe it stems from this moral purity argument (re: Jerry Stermer). Perhaps I take on everything because I see myself as capable of embodying progressive morality. That unattainable expectation doesn’t simply gnaw at my resistance to burnout, it makes me ineffective and prevents others from stepping up. Accepting personal limitations, trusting that others of good will will step up, and releasing the tendency towards social justice martyrdom may
i find it interesting that the question states that one must “sacarfice something” in order to change the world. but i do feel that in order to affect change, society needs to stop making ultimatums and look towards compromise as a way to reach markers rather then the mark.
Money.
, we’re giving up something that we cherish for the sake of something–often intangible–that we know that we should want, but which is hard for us to understand.
I see myself as capable of embodying progressive morality. That unattainable expectation doesn’t simply gnaw at my resistance to burnout, it makes me ineffective and prevents others from stepping up.
I would appreciate more visual materials, to make your blog more attractive, but your writing style really compensates it. But there is always place for improvement
I didn’t understand the concluding part of your article, could you please explain it more?
