Privileged

It’s hard to recognise our privilege because we always take so many things for granted. Simply being able to read this post, while sitting in a first-world country, is by far the greatest privilege that we all have. Beyond this ignorance of living in the developed world there are so many smaller privileges that aren’t as obviously recognised and recently a wise random made me realise some I had.

This random expressed that as a mature aged student, he went to university and interacted with a group of adolescents that were so much brighter than he was and yet, because of their laziness, were barely achieving the same marks as himself. He felt confused as to why you would waste away such talent or natural intelligence and not strive to be your best. He only wished he had such capability so he may use it to achieve something truly great. It is a shame that wasted talent is far too easy to spot around university.

I have always been with the academically gifted throughout my childhood and adolescence - fitting the Asian stereotype with countless hours of tutoring back in primary school and attending a selective high school. Needless to say, I have seen my fair share of brilliance in many forms – within art, literature, history, science, politics, and the like. I see university as a place where such skills can branch out and flourish, away from the forced curriculum of primary and secondary subjects, and it’s possible to finally specialise to personal strengths. Yet even now, there is still the limiting laziness of students that subdues maximum brilliance and potential.

Even one of my friends with a repertoire of capability showcased by his impressive high school marks, has now regressed to the easy way out of minimal attendance and passing grades in university. Indeed his career choice is incredibly conservative and a far stretch from the potential he can accomplish. Criticism of his choices though always raises this issue: is it fair to judge someone if they choose the easy way out rather than weathering the path less taken? It is their life after all. Is it fair to say someone is foolish for choosing an occupation they personally find boring but one that allows them the security of a decent pay and the ability to enjoy their weekends and the time left after work? Probably not but I judge anyway because, just like the random, I feel that talent is going to waste. I feel that that not making use of such brilliance, which can potentially achieve so much for mankind, is simply laziness. The humanist side of me feels that anyone with the capability should dedicate their lives to making all of mankind have a higher level of life. It follows that those with more natural ability or potential to make a difference should dedicate themselves more so.

The random’s words are inspiring – although you may not be brilliant, you can still make a difference, and if you are brilliant, then start to make a difference. Consider how privileged you are and how you should use that privilege for the progression of mankind higher towards the forefront of the universe.

Respringing my step towards achieving personal potential goals so bye.