An earnest desire to save the world (I): Worldviews

A few days ago, a friend from non-academic circles, who I hadn't seen in a while, asked me how it was going. I said that life was busy but that things were going pretty well. I added that I was expecting to finish with school in September. He said, "Good. Get done. Then make *money*. That's what it's all about, right?"

No, it isn't what it is all about -- not for me. If that were what it was all about, I would be living my life very differently. But there wasn't time to explain that to him, and I'm not sure how I would have gone about explaining in the first place.

In that instant, though, a difference in worldviews snapped into focus for me for the first time. He wasn't emphasizing money because all he cares about is money. He was emphasizing money because of an underlying philosophy going something like "It's you and me against the world." The upshot of this worldview (as I imagine it, of course) is a fierce protectiveness of his friends and family. And given that the world is a big scary place with lots of people in it who don't care about *his* people at all, the best he can do for them is see them well-positioned to take care of themselves.

But this isn't the way that I look at things. My philosophy would be something closer to: "There has to be a way to repair the ills in the world. What can I do to help?" This wordview is a strong filter on how I discriminate between right and wrong. I won't say that it's inherent to everything I say and do, but it's definitely there. I understand that when a person is in distress they cannot, will not, and should not put themselves out for others. And I know that self care -- including ensuring financial security for oneself as well as attending to one's own emotional needs and desires -- is a necessary component of giving back. But I keep coming back to the question: "How can I make a positive impact?"

What else did I see? I realized with certainty that my friend who checked in on me is also striving to make a positive impact. The emphasis is different, but there is a role for that philosophy too. I also realize that many people (maybe most people) wouldn't fundamentally identify with either of these perspectives. There are a lot of approaches out there.

Maybe "I want to get my kicks in while there's still time" is one -- that sounds more selfish, but there are definitely days when I feel that way. Furthermore, even for folks who feel that way every day, I know the vast majority would stop for a friend in distress. Maybe they lay aside their habitual approach, or maybe they recognize that life isn't much fun when your friends are hurting. And maybe the reasons don't matter: maybe it's just their nature. And maybe that's good.

Another perspective that comes to mind goes something like "Why should I need a life philosophy? I'm alive, aren't I?" This approach seems to me to be rather common, which is interesting because it also strikes me as extremely close to the Buddhist ideal of Enlightenment. The goal of living without judging, just accepting what comes, is admirable too. The other worldviews I mention all express some strong attachment: to friends and family, to the world, to life itself. There is something to be said for experiencing life without the need to turn it into something that it isn't, and without struggling to preserve what is beautiful for its transience.

What is your worldview? Do you have one?

Chocolate ice cubes!

A few days ago I put package of Taza brand Mexicano chocolate in the double boiler, and after it started to melt, I added a bit of water. I stirred while the chocolate finished melting, and then added another couple of cups of water.

When the water had heated up again, I made sure things were well mixed, then turned off the heat.

I poured part of the result over a couple of glasses I'd previously filled with ice cubes.

The rest I carefully poured into the now-empty ice cube tray, which I stuck back into the freezer.

The result is *awesome*, although the cubes didn't come out of the tray as easily as pure water cubes, so I had to use a knife to pry them out.

I find that chocolate ice cubes are particularly good in orange juice, though the way the weather's been that can be a lot of sugar so it helps if I add water ice cubes too.