An Ageing Idealist
I was drawn to idealism at a very young age and that hasn’t changed much. I’ve clung to the tattered threads of idealism far longer than some of my peers. It was a virtue, something to be embraced and admired. At least that’s what I thought. I never considered that my idealism might have a negative side until it came up against reality during a faculty meeting. Our administrator was looking for feedback about some proposed budget cuts. He didn’t get past the first item before I shot my hand into the air in outrage. I railed against the proposal because it was in conflict with the way I thought things should be. I was emotional and verbal. Let me assure you that it is not a pretty combination or a particularly useful one for that matter. On the ride home I asked my favorite question, what if? In this case it was what if I didn’t know what I thought I knew? (It sounds nicer than what if I didn’t know what I wa...