Dialogue with young Dutch about idealism
Last Tuesday we (Patrick, Victor and me) had the rare opportunity of speaking with fellow young people about idealism and how much we willing to give up for ideals. The evening was organized by a Christian broadcast company (KRO) and cultural – political podium De Rode Hoed and will be organized every month around a different theme. Succesfull, young and goodlooking people were swarming over the place and it was a thrill to see a large group of young people interested in a better world. It was a strange but all too familiar mixture of attending an event like this because it makes you look good (and give you an opportunity of checking out other cool people) and a genuine interest in improving the world we live in. During the talk it was quite interesting to see and feel how we couldn’t yet explode in a commonly felt urge, a surge of idealism and revolution – even though everyone was paying a lot of attention, leaning forward and being guided by a skillfull presentator.

It was a bit hard to find a thread… it was a bit hard to focus on one line of thought… it was a bit hard to listen to others instead of repeating this beautifull sentence in your head that would blow everyone away and make YOU the star of the evening. It is a learning process. It is a group of young people, highly individualized but driven, with a lot of energy, time and money – who want to make a difference but have trouble finding a way in a relative world where you have to think hard on what it worth fighting for. To really look outside ourselves from a deeper care for the whole that’s within us. We’ll keep you posted on these evenings as they unfold; next month will be on the male / female roles… very exciting!!

January 18, 2011 - 7:51 am
This is really interesting Tineke.. it shows how we can only go far as postmodern idealists without understanding what it means to not just be focused on you doing it right, or having the right idea.. I’m connected to a lot of young forward thinking groups in New York and I find it’s usually a similar case when I spend time with them or go to their meetings, there’s a lack of listening and care for the most part, even if they are on fire for change. It’s inspiring to think we’re part of a culture where we can come together with others in a way that allows us to get over ourselves (like it or not!), so we can really work together in a new way and set new examples for our peers who want to change the world.