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The thesis is not "22yo's can't solve problems!" The thesis is that when you look at someone else's problem - someone that you don't know, understand, know the
by caseysoftware 11y ago
The thesis is not "22yo's can't solve problems!"
The thesis is that when you look at someone else's problem - someone that you don't know, understand, know their culture, see the situation leading into it, or the ripples coming after - that it looks simpler and more obvious than it really is. It's a variation of the "grass is always greener" mindset.
All of those sticky, messy details are hidden away. Some of them because they're cultural things the participants take for granted while others are glossed over because they distract from the story being told.
If you want to solve problems, great! Do it!
But make sure you understand the problem before you offer your solution.
- Laaw 11y agoI didn't get that out of this article. I agree with what you've written, but I got an implication of "don't bother" from the article, which I think is wrong.
- caseysoftware 11y agoI don't believe that was the author's intention. Check out the sections on AIDWATCH's flowchart, the paragraph about Molly Melching, and the closing paragraph.
- Laaw 11y agoThose paragraphs seem to me to basically say, "Don't bother if you're not going to spend the rest of your life/a very long time here", which I think is effectively saying "don't bother at all" to most folks. I want the Ugandan to come to the US and try to solve gun control before he's 30. He'll fail if his idea sucks, but I want him to come try.
- blowski 11y agoWhat if the Ugandan makes things worse for people who are already in a difficult situation? What if lots of Ugandans turn up with lots of solutions that all make things a lot worse? I think this is what the OP is suggesting is happening with young western idealists - their naive solutions are making the situation worse.
- Laaw 11y agoWhat if the worst possible scenario happens, you mean? That's pessimistic thinking, and not supported by experience. Definitely possible, though, so let's not even bother.
- Apocryphon 11y agoThose paragraphs seem to me to basically say, "Don't bother if you're not going to spend the rest of your life/a very long time here", which I think is effectively saying "don't bother at all" to most folks. Maybe that's the point. People who want to solve complex problems need to be committed. Not for a few months or a few years, but maybe lifetimes. Because that's what's required to properly solving something.