A Viable Alternative.
One of the joys of getting older is watching the generations below puff out their chests, act as though they are the first to discover the wheel, and watch them deflate as an elderly has-been points out it's all been done before. You know the kind of thing, when my generation thought Thursday was the new Friday only for our parents to show old posters proclaiming the exact same thing, when the generation below think they've invented some new fashion until they see old photographs (I know, how old am I, photographs?) of what we used to wear.
Well today while eating lunch, I was catching up with the political day on the radio (told you it would be different), I had one of those glorious moments. I adore politics, it was my second favourite lesson at college (Economics first, in case you were wondering) and something I keep regularly up to date with. Whether it be local issues involving housing and libraries, national debates regarding immigration and education or global events (just watching Trump makes me smile) that could throw us into self destruction, I like to be informed and updated and becoming a father has only enhanced this desire. Much to my joy a wonderful, articulate and very passionate 20 something decided to tell all us old idiots exactly where we have been going wrong, why we were responsible for all that was bad in the world and how her generation were sick and tired of it. The presenter played it beautifully, allowing this young lady her voice, resisting the urge to interrupt and calmly, point by point, using nothing but facts informed her why, not only was she wrong but, rather than moan why not do something to help. The silence was deafening and bought great joy to my heart.
You see, in the Castle we have the Jason Orange rule. It's very easy to be critical, it's much harder to have a viable alternative. Young Mr Orange once had the gall to criticise some lyrical choices by the demi god Mr Barlow. Now rather than be angry, Mr Barlow merely asked for an alternative. When none was forthcoming the Jason Orange rule was born. Criticism has to be backed up by a viable alternative or it is ignored. The rule has worked wonders in the Castle and filters through every aspect of my life. The joy I took today was not through gloating at someones ignorance but from the very real possibility that the conversation could (hopefully would) lead to the caller re-evaluating their position and thought process and come up with a genuinely viable alternative.
The world needs viable alternatives. If we don't we have Donald Trump, a Brexit decided by half truths (or outright lies depending where your allegiances lay) and kids glued to screens. We need viable alternatives so disagreements can turn into conversations, so left and right can compromise and provide a true choice. So while we of a certain age can sit smugly watching and listening to the younger generations, remember, we were exactly the same until we found a viable alternative.
Well today while eating lunch, I was catching up with the political day on the radio (told you it would be different), I had one of those glorious moments. I adore politics, it was my second favourite lesson at college (Economics first, in case you were wondering) and something I keep regularly up to date with. Whether it be local issues involving housing and libraries, national debates regarding immigration and education or global events (just watching Trump makes me smile) that could throw us into self destruction, I like to be informed and updated and becoming a father has only enhanced this desire. Much to my joy a wonderful, articulate and very passionate 20 something decided to tell all us old idiots exactly where we have been going wrong, why we were responsible for all that was bad in the world and how her generation were sick and tired of it. The presenter played it beautifully, allowing this young lady her voice, resisting the urge to interrupt and calmly, point by point, using nothing but facts informed her why, not only was she wrong but, rather than moan why not do something to help. The silence was deafening and bought great joy to my heart.
You see, in the Castle we have the Jason Orange rule. It's very easy to be critical, it's much harder to have a viable alternative. Young Mr Orange once had the gall to criticise some lyrical choices by the demi god Mr Barlow. Now rather than be angry, Mr Barlow merely asked for an alternative. When none was forthcoming the Jason Orange rule was born. Criticism has to be backed up by a viable alternative or it is ignored. The rule has worked wonders in the Castle and filters through every aspect of my life. The joy I took today was not through gloating at someones ignorance but from the very real possibility that the conversation could (hopefully would) lead to the caller re-evaluating their position and thought process and come up with a genuinely viable alternative.
The world needs viable alternatives. If we don't we have Donald Trump, a Brexit decided by half truths (or outright lies depending where your allegiances lay) and kids glued to screens. We need viable alternatives so disagreements can turn into conversations, so left and right can compromise and provide a true choice. So while we of a certain age can sit smugly watching and listening to the younger generations, remember, we were exactly the same until we found a viable alternative.
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