I’m not naive. I realise that quality of life and income are inextricably bound together, but sooner or later we’re going to have to ask ourselves whether it is possible to make life more meaningful without charging it to Visa.
Karate is a form of martial arts in which people who have had years and years of training can, using only their hands and feet, make some of the worst movies in the history of the world.
In my day the principal concerns of university students were sex, smoking dope, rioting and learning. Learning was something you did only when the first three weren’t available.
Creating the kind of connections between people that lead to collective civic action, political expression, community dialogue, shared cultural experiences.
The things you learn in maturity aren’t simple things such as acquiring information and skills. You learn not to engage in self-destructive behavior. You learn not to burn up energy in anxiety. You discover how to manage your tensions. You learn that self-pity and resentment are among the most toxic of drugs. You find that the world loves talent but pays off on character.
Basically, when you get to my age, you’ll really measure your success in life by how many of the people you want to have love you actually do love you.
Basically, when you get to my age, you’ll really measure your success in life by how many of the people you want to have love you actually do love you.
