Fork in the Road

The other day I heard someone say something that I say but have never heard anyone else say.  Maybe that is a sign I need to get out more.  Yet I do hold to it.
He said something like, “if what is being promoted and embraced is the way to go, why is the world not a better place?”  It seems to be the case that I only need to look at the statistics to see things are not on the improve.
As is so often the case I have an imaginary conversation with myself.  I can imagine the answer coming back from some, that the problem is that the old influences are still at play.  We need to get rid of them to enable the world to be a better place.”  To that my answer was, “if a little bit of something does not produce good, why should a lot?”
Ok it might be a good idea to get out more, but right now I am confined and have more time for thinking and writing and reading.
I have mentioned a long time ago there was a Foxtel ad for a program that said, “I have discovered there is good in bad people and bad in good people.”  I mention that because it is not as simple as it seems (though it does seem to me some will promote a simple solution without thinking of the consequences for others.)
I did not see the show advertised, but the example that comes to mind for me is a mafia boss.  Often they destroy thousands of lives for personal gain which is bad, but there is no doubt they love their kids which is good.
I say that because it would be so easy if things were divided into good and bad people.  Get rid of the bad people and there are only good people left.  I must confess that seems to be the thinking prevailing at the moment.  Get rid of anyone who does not agree with me, and problem solved.
But I do believe all are a mix of good and bad.  Bob Dylan sang, “you gotta serve somebody.” At the moment it seems that “me” is the highest authority.  There is much getting rid of what was, and replacing it with a new way.  I have not seen anywhere in the world though that exemplifies a better way.
This is the tipping point I feel has been reached.  Some are not so much interested in fairness but in winning at all and any cost.  I totally think everyone has a right to express a point of view that may differ to mine.  Yet it seems we have reached a point where unless I agree with the prevailing point of view, an attempt is made to make my life a misery.
Worldwide there are plenty of examples of that, and to me it is not pretty and does not reflect well on the future.