Comments on: The Death Of Idealism http://www.bradruggles.com/2009/07/31/the-death-of-idealism/ The Art of Living Sun, 14 Mar 2010 00:59:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Forrest http://www.bradruggles.com/2009/07/31/the-death-of-idealism/comment-page-1/#comment-8968 Forrest Wed, 07 Oct 2009 21:09:14 +0000 http://www.bradruggles.com/?p=2402#comment-8968 I think idealism vs reality is like muscles vs weights. If you have a naive idealistic understanding of the world and pit it against the harshness of reality, it's like a nine year-old trying to bench 200lb with no spotter (they're gonna get squished). In my opinion, idealism is something that should grow and evolve with you as you mature and learn more about reality (if you don't use it you lose it). The reason why idealism fades with age is analogous to why people stop exorcising, they get caught up in the daily grind and life becomes more about routine than trying to be a better you. True idealists understand that idealism isn't just about thinking everything can and should be perfect. It's about constantly reevaluating what perfect could be using the knowledge you gain from being subjected to reality every day(training your idealism muscles with the gradual increasing weight of the world). While a good and practical grasp of reality keeps things running smoothly, leaders need their idealism muscles to be trained for those crucial moments when they have the opportunity to make something good great. Having never thought of a better way to live, we'd all still be dealing with the harsh reality of caveman life. I think idealism vs reality is like muscles vs weights. If you have a naive idealistic understanding of the world and pit it against the harshness of reality, it’s like a nine year-old trying to bench 200lb with no spotter (they’re gonna get squished). In my opinion, idealism is something that should grow and evolve with you as you mature and learn more about reality (if you don’t use it you lose it). The reason why idealism fades with age is analogous to why people stop exorcising, they get caught up in the daily grind and life becomes more about routine than trying to be a better you. True idealists understand that idealism isn’t just about thinking everything can and should be perfect. It’s about constantly reevaluating what perfect could be using the knowledge you gain from being subjected to reality every day(training your idealism muscles with the gradual increasing weight of the world). While a good and practical grasp of reality keeps things running smoothly, leaders need their idealism muscles to be trained for those crucial moments when they have the opportunity to make something good great. Having never thought of a better way to live, we’d all still be dealing with the harsh reality of caveman life.

]]> By: Andrew http://www.bradruggles.com/2009/07/31/the-death-of-idealism/comment-page-1/#comment-8209 Andrew Mon, 03 Aug 2009 21:15:28 +0000 http://www.bradruggles.com/?p=2402#comment-8209 I agree with BJ we need balance it is not idealism that is the problem it is inaction. The fact that many idealists simply won't compromise doesn't mean you won't. Please be a idealist we need more of those but know like you said that sometimes situations will be less then ideal. Keep what could be later and what can be now, Mother Theresa couldn't see the future but she changed it. She didn't sit on her hands because she couldn't have it a certain way she simply made do. I agree with BJ we need balance it is not idealism that is the problem it is inaction. The fact that many idealists simply won’t compromise doesn’t mean you won’t. Please be a idealist we need more of those but know like you said that sometimes situations will be less then ideal. Keep what could be later and what can be now, Mother Theresa couldn’t see the future but she changed it. She didn’t sit on her hands because she couldn’t have it a certain way she simply made do.

]]> By: I am an Idealist « Chris is searching… http://www.bradruggles.com/2009/07/31/the-death-of-idealism/comment-page-1/#comment-8192 I am an Idealist « Chris is searching… Sat, 01 Aug 2009 13:18:14 +0000 http://www.bradruggles.com/?p=2402#comment-8192 [...] am an Idealist Yesterday, Brad Ruggles posted a blog called The Death of Idealism.  I immediately sent the link to Lorana with a few thoughts.  We continued the conversation [...] [...] am an Idealist Yesterday, Brad Ruggles posted a blog called The Death of Idealism.  I immediately sent the link to Lorana with a few thoughts.  We continued the conversation [...]

]]> By: BJ http://www.bradruggles.com/2009/07/31/the-death-of-idealism/comment-page-1/#comment-8188 BJ Fri, 31 Jul 2009 22:16:46 +0000 http://www.bradruggles.com/?p=2402#comment-8188 Balance, balance balance... I don't have any fancy quotes, but balance is all we need. If you are living in the Land of OZ and can't relate to the real world what good are you... On the contrary if you are so one-sighted and can't chage, be relevant, adapt or imagine how to improve problems in the world what good are you, just a smelly old guy that won't shut up. A great leader is visionary, but responsible with their vision and relevant to the current situations that are in the here and now...... Balance, balance balance… I don’t have any fancy quotes, but balance is all we need. If you are living in the Land of OZ and can’t relate to the real world what good are you… On the contrary if you are so one-sighted and can’t chage, be relevant, adapt or imagine how to improve problems in the world what good are you, just a smelly old guy that won’t shut up. A great leader is visionary, but responsible with their vision and relevant to the current situations that are in the here and now……

]]> By: Aaron Guilmette http://www.bradruggles.com/2009/07/31/the-death-of-idealism/comment-page-1/#comment-8187 Aaron Guilmette Fri, 31 Jul 2009 17:20:34 +0000 http://www.bradruggles.com/?p=2402#comment-8187 Leaders give us a vision. Good leaders instill the vision in us. Great leaders inspire us to accomplish the vision. Leaders give us a vision. Good leaders instill the vision in us. Great leaders inspire us to accomplish the vision.

]]> By: Brad Ruggles http://www.bradruggles.com/2009/07/31/the-death-of-idealism/comment-page-1/#comment-8186 Brad Ruggles Fri, 31 Jul 2009 17:02:24 +0000 http://www.bradruggles.com/?p=2402#comment-8186 Love this quote I just found... <i>"The leader has to be practical and a realist, yet must talk the language of the visionary and the idealist."</I> - Eric Hoffer Love this quote I just found…

“The leader has to be practical and a realist, yet must talk the language of the visionary and the idealist.”
- Eric Hoffer

]]> By: Aaron Guilmette http://www.bradruggles.com/2009/07/31/the-death-of-idealism/comment-page-1/#comment-8184 Aaron Guilmette Fri, 31 Jul 2009 16:38:45 +0000 http://www.bradruggles.com/?p=2402#comment-8184 Leaders need to be both idealistic and pragmatic. They need to see where they want to go and be realistic about the steps needed to get there. Idealism is a journey, not a destination. Every step towards the vision is a step away from the banal past. Leaders need to be both idealistic and pragmatic. They need to see where they want to go and be realistic about the steps needed to get there.

Idealism is a journey, not a destination. Every step towards the vision is a step away from the banal past.

]]> By: Michael Warden http://www.bradruggles.com/2009/07/31/the-death-of-idealism/comment-page-1/#comment-8183 Michael Warden Fri, 31 Jul 2009 15:08:56 +0000 http://www.bradruggles.com/?p=2402#comment-8183 Fascinating post, Brad. Hits home. Rather than spout my own thoughts on this (of which there are way too many to post in a comment), I'll share a couple of quotes that came to mind as I read your post: "The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man." George Bernard Shaw "Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s forthcoming attractions.” Albert Einstein "Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go." T.S. Eliot I think idealism is essential to leadership, and it takes extraordinary courage to hang on to it in the face of repeated disappointments and losses. But without it, we settle, we aim too low. Fascinating post, Brad. Hits home. Rather than spout my own thoughts on this (of which there are way too many to post in a comment), I’ll share a couple of quotes that came to mind as I read your post:

“The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.”
George Bernard Shaw

“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s forthcoming attractions.”
Albert Einstein

“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.”
T.S. Eliot

I think idealism is essential to leadership, and it takes extraordinary courage to hang on to it in the face of repeated disappointments and losses. But without it, we settle, we aim too low.

]]> By: Brad Ruggles http://www.bradruggles.com/2009/07/31/the-death-of-idealism/comment-page-1/#comment-8181 Brad Ruggles Fri, 31 Jul 2009 14:01:24 +0000 http://www.bradruggles.com/?p=2402#comment-8181 That's an awesome verse and very applicable for this topic. I tend to agree with you. It's the extremes that lead to trouble. We can't always be dreaming up these idealistic situations but to be cynical and jades is equally dangerous. That’s an awesome verse and very applicable for this topic. I tend to agree with you. It’s the extremes that lead to trouble. We can’t always be dreaming up these idealistic situations but to be cynical and jades is equally dangerous.

]]> By: Aaron Jackson http://www.bradruggles.com/2009/07/31/the-death-of-idealism/comment-page-1/#comment-8180 Aaron Jackson Fri, 31 Jul 2009 13:52:33 +0000 http://www.bradruggles.com/?p=2402#comment-8180 Brad, I've become quite a fan of Ecc. 7:18, "the man who fears God will avoid all extremes." I think you're right that a courageous leader will always have a bit of idealism in them, but they know how to temper that with the reality of the present situation. I think Idealism has the POTENTIAL to keep leaders from making tough decisions. However, a great leader must be both courageous AND wise! Discernment will help temper the idealism. Great post, man! Keep 'em coming! AJ Brad,
I’ve become quite a fan of Ecc. 7:18, “the man who fears God will avoid all extremes.” I think you’re right that a courageous leader will always have a bit of idealism in them, but they know how to temper that with the reality of the present situation.
I think Idealism has the POTENTIAL to keep leaders from making tough decisions. However, a great leader must be both courageous AND wise! Discernment will help temper the idealism.
Great post, man! Keep ‘em coming!
AJ

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