Does protesting work, for you and the problem?
#155 - let Year 2 begin
Hello!
Yes, a new opening line for a change. It’s Year 2 and we’re not going back.
Or it’s purely some forced excitement into an otherwise dark and dull evening. Regardless, thank you for joining me as I embark on a mission to keep this alive.
The week has been a familiarly busy one, but quite enjoyable; life seems to be almost all settled in my new house and I’ve just got the radiator to work!
Highlight of the week: a battle this week, between my second bout of Royal Albert Hall singing or a much-anticipated three course dinner I hosted. I reckon the latter pips it: a lot of time went into making it happen, but I’m glad it did. Tasty food, convivial chat and games and a great start to, hopefully, many dinners to come (watch out for those invites, people 😁)
As a preface, I’m trying something different. My previous posts aimed to be practical, directed, driving towards a central nugget or principle. Perhaps this is helpful, but it makes writing a challenge: there’s the pressure to come up with something (inventive and new) each week.
In a bid to keep the train running, I’m making room for pieces discussing an interesting thought with some commentary and gravy. As a reader, I hope you take a moment to consider what my fingers come up with, observe your stance, and, if you would be so kind, share your perspective to stimulate thoughtful debate and learning.
Enough grandiosity, let’s get to it.
The graduation ceremony is inspiring, an opportunity to time-travel to what I might enjoy in a few years. This year was a warm reminder of the fruits of exceptional class-beating hard work: becoming a prize winner, which warrants your own round of applause in Imperial traditions.
Being a choir boy is a minor but impactful way to participate in the ceremony: a rousing majestic opening chorus, a thought-provoking melodic1 song and finishing with the National Anthem. The downside is that you’re involved at the top and tail, sandwiched with a long session of sitting, hearing names you are mostly oblivious to and the occasional applause (knew a few more this year than last!). Not to ridicule the privilege to perform in a historic arena, but it can get boring.
The only out-of-the-ordinary occurrence of the ceremonies have been the protests; in particular, these are graduands who display banners condemning Israel and their actions in Gaza.
In a week with hopeful news, which I am immensely pleased about, I think taking the time to reflect on the protests is helpful. And to be clear, I’m not making this political; not everything needs to be.
The second protestor had to be unceremoniously carried off stage, through the side doors, going off to rapturous cheering, the loudest of the afternoon. Pausing to consider his actions was fascinating:
You have worked incredibly hard for four years, pursuing a notably hard degree (Physics). This moment is meant to be a special celebration of this achievement. Deciding to ‘ruin’ the occasion for you by having to be dumped off stage is testament to how pure and deep your feelings about the issue are.
When I discussed with a friend (and reader 👀) who is known for his unorthodox ways and passion towards efficiency2, he ridiculed it, saying that his actions won’t have a material impact on the cause. We then riffed on this point, about what the best way to make impact is, balancing morality with objectivity.
He argued that a more impactful method might be to work hard using the degree, make plenty of money and donate that to Gazans or to a charity delaying aid. (The clear counter is that it might be too late). He also questioned the severity of the protestor’s allegiance, arguing, “If he really cared about Gaza so much, he’d go out there”.
Reflecting on the conversation, I think about this: “Is it so black and white? Either your actions have a sizeable impact or they mean nothing at all?”
Let’s consider another example - the past few months have seen me become more interested in the war, on the back of seeing harrowing images and stories from Gaza. In my daily Newscast over the past couple of weeks, they have spent a substantial time discussing the latest developments in the area and, in the last few days, how the peace plan has been progressing.
Do I need this play-by-play news and analysis? No, I check BBC News regularly enough to know the trend of what is happening. However, I have been overcome of late by a sense of human duty to take the time, specifically, to consciously choose to spend some of my scarce resource of time, on hearing out what’s happening, becoming more aware of the terrible plight.
This sounds naïve, careless and missing the point. Who cares, or what impact does it have whether you spend 10 minutes listening to a podcast or you don’t? And you’d be right to question that; my justification is that it is a form of expressing that “I care about the issue”, which is the first step to making a stand about injustice - showing that you care. Is it pithy and meaningless, or is it, in some woo-woo karma way, encouraged?
A second question to think about is the question of what makes a good career. Do you prioritise making a shed load of money, with the aim of philanthropic impact later (à la Buffett, Gates and other charity-minded rich people, through the Giving Pledge for example), or do you dedicate yourself selflessly to a cause from the beginning?
Two interesting ideas worth considering. I can’t wait to hear what you think.
It’s certainly a less satisfying close, but a post nonetheless. Here are some more things for you to give your time to.
Podcast of the week🎙️
Unhedged by the FT: AI peak is peak AI
The cries of an AI bubble appear to have gotten louder this week, and they’ve made more appearances on my feed. Here’s the issue elegantly explained.
What I’m grateful for this week 🙏
My friend (and housemate!) Luca for lending me a black shirt to use at Graduation - arguably, allowed me to have fodder to write today’s post!
Quote of the week 💬
Work for a cause, not for applause. Live life to express not to impress. Don’t strive to make your presence noticed, just make your absence felt. Grace Lichtenstein
I’m nearly halfway through the content for my midterms, can you believe it? Time moves fast, faster than my dinner prep. See you next week.
Adi
It took me way too long to choose that word - my writing is slipping 😥
Thoughtfully written 😂