Menlo College - Enterprise Yearbook (Atherton, CA)

Page 14 text:

THE FUTURE: ' A PRODUCT OE THE DREAMS AND HOPES WE CHERISH TODAY Menlo School of Business Administration 1975-1976 I A commentary: by Ted Hicks As I first began to formulate and kick ideas about in my head for this editorial, I arrived at a decision that, I sincerely hope, you will find refreshing at the very least. lt appears to be an erroneously assumed tradition of sorts, that all editorials be written in a manner not unlike that of every other yearbook from years past. It is in defiance of that tradition, as it were, and be- cause I feel as though the editorial space can be better utilized, that I have elected to forego the traditionalistic approach in hopes of delving into some more crucial aspects of both our personal futures and the ever increasing dilemma of our future as a world of individuals and groups . Relax now, and we shall scrutinize and probe that facet of the future currently available for inspection . Look around you, gaze beyond the mighty fortresses, the wombs of individual existances that either you, or those around you, have unwittingly created to defend the sanctity and simplicity ofa world in which nearly every person in concerned with the well-being of themselves alone. , A world where success is measured in dollars and diamonds, and the concept of an alliance, a bond amongst all peoples, has been misconstrued and warped to include only those persons whose political, economic, or religious convictions are synonymous to, or compatible with the convictions and values that you maintain to guide your own life . Surely, even those with the blurriestof vision can see quite clearly that it will be impossible to attain an all encompassing state of balance and equalibrium until the time comes when we finally direct our efforts towards our reunification and the construction of an alliance upon which all individuals may depend . As you begin to examine and explore this newly unveiled world, the great globe that lies beyond the boundries of isolation we impose upon ourselves, it becomes alarmingly apparent, almost immediately, that the seemingly endless serenity we strive to find for ourselves, and to some degree are able to create by spinning our own cocoons of separateness, is a dream that very few individuals can ever even begin to conceive in a world so vastly complex. The countless problems, both economic and social, that continually plague thisimmense sphere, are so finely interwoven, and so delicately balanced upon each other that it surely appears to be a frustrating, more aptly, nearly impossible task to begin the unbuilding of such a labyrinth of problems. But wait. . .don't begin the retreat back into your shell quite yet! Recall, if you will, that I said it was a nearly impossible task, not an impossible one. Undoubtedly, if it was in fact the human race that brought about this myriad of social and economic illnesses we are presently faced with, and it most assuredly was, then the remedy and eventual cure must also be within the vast realm of lVlankind's rather remarkable capaiblities and talents . Tis true, I'm afraid, that the evolution that brought about this monsterous predicament we are presently confronted with was a far sight

Page 13 text:

T I BENCH OF CONTENTS? , E2 f T I 5 I: a 3? 05 WT - 1 . 'e T' fflt would have been Table of Contents, but we couIdn't find a picture of a table .

Page 15 text:

less deliberate then, and by no stretch of even the most vivid imagination was it any where near as difficult of tortouus as will be the undertaking of the cure. But, despair not, for the ultimate outcome of such a grandiose effort as effecting a remedy will be the source of untold satisfaction, and, most importantly, it will give rise to a world that someday will exist as one . As individuals knock down the walls of their self-imposed fortresses we will visualize upon the horizon, the dawning of a new day, the time will gave finally arrived when -Mankind has aquired the knowledge necessary to employ the intelligence that it is so proud of as a tool for healthy growth, instead ofit being a weapon against both man and beast, as it has proven to be. The day will have come when lVlankind, the most Qsophisitcated animal on earth, is finally able to live in parity with those animals on the lower intellectual and evolutionary strata that have always been capable of, and successful at maintaining an intricate equalibrium between themselves and their environment. The concept of a harmoniously functioning world is not, by any means, an idle pipe dream . We could, ,if enough people make the sacrifice of dedicated work, visualize a reality that doesn't make one turn away in anger and disgust. It will, however, require the efforts of those people in a position to initiate and create the transformation. You are those people. You have, or will have in near future, harvested and reaped the benefits of a good education, the finest tool in the world for achieving your goals and aspirations . Use that tool, wield it with responsible precision, and although you probably won't reform the entire world, you will have not only made a substantial step in the right direction, but you will have set an example for others to follow. Realize your responsibilities and follow throughowith them, forever aware that you are doing what is right. lt isn't necessary, nor is it a prerequisite to leading a happy life, that one must 'shuck and neglect one's true responsibilities, it only seems that way when we look at the traditions of our predecessors . Use foresight, and explore that ramification of your intended actions before you enact them, not after. Don't succumb to the attitude that you do what you want to do because you are the only one that matters, realize, and be aware that there are countless others in this world who are far less fortunate than yourself, and make i.t one of your duties to aid in the relief of their plight. Learn to communicate with those who surround you, and you will discover that an alliance begins to take form .D With this alliance one may progress beyond the limits of and individual effort, because, as the old adage reminds us, there is strength in numbers. It can be done, not today, or tomorrow, but it can be done . lt is in our power to make a better tomorrow. So, as you go forth into the real live workaday world, bear in mind your responsibilities, think occasionally about the future of your descendants, and the world they must face. Strive to learn and grow, seek new knowledge, then use that knowledge to benefit yourself and others . Good luck in your ventures, peace Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value . --Albert Einstein