A Thought of One's Own

I've been thinking quite hard today on Contract Law but I don't want to post my fruits just yet because the idea needs a bit more ironing out. If it comes out well, it'll be pretty nifty. 


So in the meantime, how about idols? 


I think a lot of people tend to idolise the wrong kind of person in today's culture; people like Paris Hilton that seemingly have no self respect and eat way too little whilst projecting the image that that's the ideal and have achieved nothing with their lives and don't need to. Admittedly that's an extreme example. 


My point is, there are some really incredible people alive today, not to mention all the people that have done something spectacular in the past.


My favourites are quite varied really. I quite like Nelson Mandela although I suspect 'Long Walk to Freedom' was rather heavily edited to paint him in the most positive light. Nevertheless, it's pretty impressive to overturn an oppressive regime like that. Which I suppose means I ought to be fond of the people in the Arab Spring. And I am glad that people have finally stood up against their oppressors in that part of the world and that dictators have been overthrown, but I worry about the consequences. The Muslim Brotherhood gaining influence in Egypt, for example. That's just trading one extreme regime for another, albeit with a religious rather than a selfish justification (allegedly). I suppose we'll just have to wait and see for now, but until then, check out Srdja Popovic and CANVAS: the people that train protesters. 


I really enjoyed reading Aung San Su Kyi's 'Letters from Burma' too, but I think I find it harder to connect with her ideas than with Mandela's because she's just so gentle. Which is great, but I'm not sure I agree that it's the most effective method. At present things seem to be looking up for her at last. 


In terms of slightly less serious idols, Margaret Atwood is a stunningly good author. She writes books from historical fiction to fantasy and dystopia and I particularly like her 'The Penelopiad' because of the feminist, realist angle. 


Thinking about people that have achieved something with their lives makes me incredibly anxious to do something with mine.