Comments on: The Death Of Idealism

By: Darren

Darren — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:50:47 +0000

I just read your blog. I, too, am an idealist, and I am a leader of a department where my idealism does not work. I constantly voice what I see as possible, and keep getting shot down from above, below, and on the same line.

My boss is worried about me becoming disappointed with my mindset. I fear that if I give up my idealism that I will cease to exist as who I am. I am not jaded, but can feel the forces that are trying to make me that way.There are more days than not where I just want to say I give up, I will give up all idealistic thoughts and be the cog in the machine until my time comes. I will also swear to squash idealism in anyone else I see, not only to protect them from themselves, but to keep up the status quo. Yes, I can be cynical too. I do not believe the universe or the world is out to get us and make us drones. Sometimes it just seems that way.

So, Brad, it is indeed a struggle. I am in my forties and fighting it now more than ever. Somewhere there is a balance..I just don’t know where.

By: SUBHA BIKASH PANDA

SUBHA BIKASH PANDA — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 20:31:41 +0000

Idealism is a journey, not a destination. Every step towards the vision is a step away from the banal past. Yes, The Journey Is The Reward…..The way of life for the idealists.

By: Paul Hakel

Paul Hakel — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 21:17:53 +0000

There’s nothing “extreme” about being an idealist; the extreme person is the Satanic realist, in all of their dead conformity to conditions. We need more idealists, because the “tempered” idealists or “realistic” people don’t ever end up rebelling against circumstances to create a better world. They don’t ever go “cold” turkey from bad conditions to best conditions, but only settle for maybe better slave conditions rather than fighting for TOTAL FREEDOM. The decline and death of idealism is pure cowardice today, nothing but. This post isn’t made in the idealistic spirit but the realistic and cynical spirit. It is not INSPIRED and PASSIONATE, giving its ALL to see that things happen. It is resigned! Wake up! Fight a little! See if you can’t do any more than “BE REALISTIC”! Don’t let that coach put his cowardice into you; he’s maybe only older, only survived, because he chose to be a RAT OF FEAR rather than a SOLDIER OF COURAGE! Stand tall for God, let them cut you down! It’s better than living in chains indefinitely!

By: fuar hostesi

fuar hostesi — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 10:05:54 +0000

.) There are some interesting points in time in this article but I don’t know if I see all of them center to heart. There is some validity but I will take hold opinion until I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we want more! Added to FeedBurner as well

By: bims

bims — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 22:20:54 +0000

.) WONDERFUL Post.thanks for share..more wait ..

By: Ben Ludy

Ben Ludy — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 09:26:55 +0000

Good blog! Will need some time to examine this content!

By: Forrest

Forrest — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 21:09:14 +0000

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

Andrew — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 21:15:28 +0000

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…

I am an Idealist « Chris is searching… — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 13:18:14 +0000

[...] 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

BJ — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 22:16:46 +0000

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……