Should today's youngsters continue pursuing their own dreams or should we focus on what the world needs?

Question

Most friends of my age(16/17), have dreams of getting into business, becoming a doctor or an engineer, becoming a TV star and things like that. Okay, so becoming a doctor is a wonderful contribution to global achievements, but what about the others? We're all so worried about becoming famous, earning money and living a regular lifestyle, that we don't think about the power we have, being 'the future'. What should we do? How can we start?

I hate the way we're all turning into selfish, complacent adults, myself being one to admit. But I'd really like to help make the world a better place, starting now.

Answer 1

Well, if they have no talent in their own dreams, then perhaps they should abandon them and work on helping the world. To help, you have to maintain the balance of the world too. Such as working on a farm, at a resturant or other place. This shows what most people do to make a honest living & pay the bills too.

Though those who pursue those dreams and become rich, can then help the world too. They could donate to worthy causes or start their own causes as a popular celebrity name can bring more attention to the matter at hand.

You have to understand your friends goals might help out too. Many buisness create jobs for others, and engineers are needed for building, etc. Tv, music, and movie stars may help..but only if these goals and morals in place FIRST and IF they become big. Otherwise, they look out for #1 first before everyone else. and Doctors help, but they also get paid a lot. Not everyone has health care, and I dont think the world is in dire need for more.

hope what I have said makes you think and helps too.

Answer 2

Ok, yall know what I'm going to say. Yup. And I'll say it again. You're gonna need money! So make blame sure you have a way to make some! Besides robbing a bank. Sure family is important, personal ethics are important, following your dream is important. But none of that is going to be much fun if you don't have money for what you need. Let alone for what you want. I Don't care how much you hate school and don't wanna be a white collar worker. In this world that's not neccesary. There is some kind of a skill you can learn so that you'll have the ability to make money! So forget liberal arts, and figure out what is up your alley that you can turn into a career that pays.

Answer 3

Hmm, I'm a musician. i seek the truth. (by the way i haven't found it yet). I seek what is, not what i perceive and not what people tell me.

When i was young i had an understanding that music can be a very powerful tool.

My dream is to become famous, find the truth, then relay it through my music so i can change the world (for the better of course), though one open mind at a time.

so my answer is.

You are not always being selfish if you follow your dreams, as long as your dreams involve making the world a better place.

Answer 4

Certainly we should focus on the needs of the world. But at your age, where would you like to start? You got to have an idea of not only what the world needs but also of your unique solution. So, to understand the world as it is, you need to have the expertise of the the great people who spent much of their lives in rectifying a wrong or fighting for a cause or in doing selfless service. You find numerous examples in human history. Find what kind of role you want to play and how you want to be remembered. Before that ask yourself whether you want to change the society because you do not like what you see like poverty, war, diseases etc. or you want to leave your imprint on history. If it is the former, you better do some social service; join politics if it is latter.
Either way, you will be a soldier on the battle field as you fight for causes that do not personally affect you and the price you pay far outweighs the rewards. If you are set in your opinion to become such a soldier, you need two things - training and equipment.
Good educational background, especially specialised knowledge makes you the focus of attention of the group which may need your expertise. So get good education first. Study the world also at the same time so that you can fix your goals and realise how to make a well organised effort.
What is your equipment? You know the ground realities and good intentions do not always translate into meaningful effort unless you have the cooperation and backing of like-minded people in various spheres of activities. A business tycoon may desire political reform as much as a poor wrech in the slums. So you have to get the trust of the former and heart of the latter. There are millions of people who want a change just as you do. For them to look to you for leadership, you have to gain extraordinary qualities which have to be inculcated over a period of time. Don't be hasty or rush into things until and unless you have suffient training and you may gather equipment on the way. Nobody wants to be led by a nincompoop. Get some expertise first - become a doctor or engineer or a lawyers or a computer geek or whatever but an expert. Gather like-minded people and meet and associate with the rich, famous, the influential and all who may guide you or direct you or help you in your effort. And also make sure you have no personal financial worries. Do not visualise a grand entry like a hero but think of your ideas as branching out to different places by various people. Read the autobiography of Mahatma Gandhi and you will know how he fulfilled many a role in a life time. Robinhood is fiction even if he appeals to you at your age. Unless you are successful in what is expected of you in your limited circle like your family, relations and friends, you can not be successful in society. Take care of yourself first and if you then decide to extent your care, you get not only a welcome but also huge response from everybody. Wish you all the best.

Answer 5

Definitely pursue your dreams, accomplishing your dream may be what the world needs. You can follow your dream and still contribute to society and the world. Just because you become rich or famous does not mean you will be greedy or evil. If you are happy you will spread that happiness and drive to others. I leave you with a poem by Langston Hughes.

Dreams
by Langston Hughes

Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.

Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.

Answer 6

I believe that the only way to help others, is by helping yourself first. This may seem selfish, but I'll try to explain myself:

You need to make a life for yourself. If you focus on the world, that is wonderful, but you will only be able to help others to the point where you are at. For example:

Let's say that you have a mediocre job. You are struggling to make ends meet. And you are unhappy. By living like that you can only help others to bring them to that level.....in their society.

The world considers being rich, having shelter, clean water, and food. If you are in living in poverty in the US, then that would mean that you would have an extremely hard time making people in a 3rd world country come out of poverty.

But if you had a good career, you worked hard, you lived well. You could probably give the people in 3rd world countries an education, shelter, clean water, food, etc.


So to answer your question: the kids need to be successful in order to help others. But also note, that its easier to help someone, if everyone is helping that person.

Answer 7

No. The world changes too fast for dreams these days. Your dream should be to become flexible and open minded, so that you can adapt quickly and succeed in a strange world of the future.

Answer 8

chances are that you and your friends will amount to a whole lot of nothing in life. i have seen time and time again people your age 'talking' about how great they are going to become, how famous, how rich, how powerful etc.

believe me, if you were going to make it...you would have made it by now (even at your perceived young age, which isnt really) or be already on the right track.

talk is cheap and it is worthless especially when chattery mid-teens 'talk' about how great they are.

i achieved a very high profession and status with one thing: working my tail off. what about my high school peers that 'talked' about how great they are? they are the ones cutting my grass, serving me food, and delivering cases of $350 per bottle wine to my door.

you wont be famous, you wont be powerful and you wont be rich. you are not selfish, just immature, unrealistic with ideas of grandiose.

a very small percentage of people become financially successful but everyone wants to be financially successful. what really makes the difference on who is successful and who isnt? ambition. people who get off their AS$ and work rather than sitting around and talking about how great they are and going to be. when i was your age, i was already working 12 hours a day and my dads factory during the summer. what have you done so far? play video games, talk on the phone for hours on end? talk about how great you are and going to be? like i said, chances are overwhelmingly high that you are going to be dishing out fries and most likely i will have to carry your loser AS$ in the taxes i pay to support some social welfare system.

i love asking people your age 'what do you want to be?' their answer 'RICH'. i asked how are you going to be rich? they say, i dunno, i just want to be rich. if they say what you usually say doctor, lawyer, idiot savant...i usually ask 'so, what have you dont to get yourself there?' they usually say, 'i just gonna do it'. sounds vague, not well thought through and basically have no f-u-cking clue what success entails.

getting mad about my response? good! it will do one of two things. it will actually make you get off your giant rear end, wipe the cheetos off your chubby little fingers, put the psp down and really and truly go do something. but, i am a realist, most likely you will disregard what i am saying, go back to your friends sitting around a tv, playing video games and call each other up about how great each one of you are going to be.

look me up when you are in the welfare line and tell me i was right!

Answer 9

i think we should strive for out dreams. our dreams and aspirations are what make us diffrent from everyone else. for ever kid that whats to be famous there're 5 who want to be docters, lawyers and teachers. not everyone wants to be famous. of course we wouldn't know this as those who don't ant to be arn't on tv saying it. most people keep their dreams a secret, its not always considered 'cool' to be a docter or a teacher or a dentist or whatever, but it is 'cool' to be a pop star or an actress, so alot of children try to fit in with the crowd by saying they want to be famous alot however do not x

Answer 10

Dear "the artist"

Have faith in our system... if your friends want to do something that nobody wants to pay them to do, they will not become rich... most of the time, our economy decides what it needs and there is high demand for people with those skills.

If you want to prosper, find out what the predicted "hot jobs" will be in six years... there are predictors out there who have been very close. Find a job in that area that appeals to your skills and personality, and then get training in that field. it's usually a formula for success... and you will usually find yourself doing something worthwhile to the society.