20 November 2018: Voting Every Day - Part 1

The midterms are over. What can we do to change the direction our society is moving other than wait for the next election cycle?

I believe we can vote every day, not at the polls, but through our actions. This series of essays will reflect on what I did or tried to do in 2018. I am writing for several reasons. First, writing helps me reflect on what I did and what I can do better next year.  Second, it may generate responses from others that will be instructive. Third, it may inspire or motivate others.

I have met people who believe that their actions do not matter very much because their life is basically controlled by others. I disagree.

I believe I am in charge of my life, and what I do can make a major difference in how my life proceeds, even if not 100% determinative.

I believe that what happens in the world is due primarily to the actions of ordinary people, acting on our own and interacting with each other. Based on my research on complexity theory and cancer, I believe that what we do is analogous to dropping a grain of sand on a sandpile. It may appear to have no impact, yet we do know that as more grains are dropped, major changes are inevitable, even if we don't know the impact any particular grain will have, or how many grains are enough.

Finally, I know that I am not in charge of the lives of others, even if what I know can help them. Perhaps it is possible to influence them in some small way, but this may be difficult and risks being offensive. The most effective way to have an impact on others may be through leading by example.

Next week - part 2