The Best Seat in the Universe: A Simple Guide to Navigate Life by Grahame Anderson

Author:Grahame Anderson [Anderson, Grahame]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781912872121
Publisher: Blue Tao Publishing
Published: 2021-07-01T16:00:00+00:00

TWENTY-TWO

BEING PART OF SOCIETY

We arrived at a small town and Grandad drove his bus around a large square where people met and sat enjoying their evening. It was cooler than the heat of the day. Families sat on park benches while others strolled through tree-lined groves.

“Where are we, Grandad?”

“Society Square. This is where the townsfolk from the surrounding areas come to meet and discuss all kinds of topics into the early hours of the morning. This is where they keep up to date with what’s happening.”

“That sounds like an excellent idea.”

“It’s the very basis of all societies, son. These meetings have played out across every culture in the world for thousands of years since the first days when people gathered together. This is what society is. Fellow citizens agreeing to live in a way to suit the majority. But first you need to agree with the aims of the society. It has to show similar beliefs and a future path in alignment with your own.”

“Why wouldn’t it?”

“Well, you may not agree with what your society says or does. If you do disagree, ask yourself if you will ever fit in. You may like most of their ideals, but perhaps in some areas you would hope to persuade them to accept new ideas. If they refuse to change, it’s decision time whether to stay and fight or to move on.”

“Why would our society not be agreeable to me? Also, aren’t most town councils similar?”

“Jack, society at a local level won’t always suit you. People move to other states or other countries where they consider the people to be more in line with their way of living.”

“I wasn’t aware other places could be so different.”

“That’s because you’ve never travelled. From state to state we have enormous differences. In many countries, people don’t have rights like we do. In some places people can be tortured or sent to camps for speaking against their government. Would you want to live somewhere you are frightened to voice your opinion?”

“Definitely not. It’s shameful some countries think it’s the way to treat their own citizens.”

“I honestly wish they didn’t. So many countries enforce rules that are unfair or bizarre compared to our way of thinking. That’s why I asked if you can fit in with your society?”

“I couldn’t fit with ones like you describe.”

“Me neither, son.”

“I don’t get this, Grandad. Why can’t we all live by similar rules?”

Rules in other places may not be significantly different, but they may be enough to make you want to move. Even in small towns, local councils can vote for things you don’t agree with. And when I use the word society, I mean organisations, groups or whatever you become a part of.”

“Like our farmers’ group?”

“Exactly. Any organisation run by a committee.”

“That’s just about everything. What could our town council do that we would disagree with?”

“Years ago, they wanted to build a dam and flood five or six farms. They also made plans to give people rights to walk across farmland. Changes like these would have had a direct effect on us.

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