Our problem as young people is our idealistic mind. Now don’t get me wrong, an idealistic mind is always a gem among the group of norm. However, an idealistic mind poses this one weakness which cultivates problems in many areas and poses a big risk namely, misconception and diverted understanding.

The weakness of such an idealistic mind lies in its enthusiasm itself. You see, a huge explosion of enthusiasm gives rise to an idealistic opinion in a student. However, once an idealistic view approaches, they fail to see the rationale of the other option. Now bear in mind, when taking a decision, no option is wrong, but every option has its degree of rationality. Option A is rationale as it serves the crowd better but it may forget the minority whereas option B is also rationale as it serves both but in a lesser amount to both sides.

Empathy is a strong word. At times it brings about liberal consciousness which is bad. But at times it is a necessity when we are faced with a huge crowd vesting to millions of people. What empathy does is to give us another way of looking at things. Our view must not be selfish; our view must be positively responsive to the whole crowd. If we are to understand the view of side A without understanding side B we are no better than people like Hitler (and bear in mind what an idealistic young man he was during his time!)

I had attended a talk in the starting of August, it was in a way a positive talk that tries to address issues and in a way evoke idealism. However, what saddens me is the foolishness of several students. There was a session where they were allowed to ask the speakers a question. I was struck the most when one student asked,

“You say that we should study in BM whereas all the previous Prime Ministers had studied in English medium schools during their days”

Now I’m not such a smart person but honestly, wasn’t that a bit tad too stupid to ask? We are at a time where we can choose what language to use, to learn, to cultivate! In their time it was not. We were in the British colonial rule and even in Mahathir’s era he was in no position to fight whether he wants to learn it in English or BM. Ever heard of a 10 year old fighting for human rights? Maybe yes you have, but in this case, it’s a definite no.

What some of them were doing was question for the sake of questioning, not for the sake of learning. Their ideals and stands may have been right or wrong, but the medium in which they have tried to use to justify it was used wrongly. Hence a question posed that day should have been done not for the sake of just to ask and get things clear but to learn. Knowledge is in many forms, idealism may be posed in many people and that includes even Karl Marx and those evil geniuses.

Our enthusiasm lied in the wrong manner. Enthusiasm was made a veil to the rationale thinking. And thus leads us to develop a false stand where we look upon things negatively and without putting in mind of the opposite. I refuse and abhor such scrutiny imposed upon idealism as idealism is a good thing. Idealism pushes us to fight for something; idealism is what has shaped humanity whether good or bad.

Hence for the sake of knowledge and civilization, be idealistic, but be rational as well.