Waiting for the Revolution

One can grow old and die waiting for the revolution—sort of like waiting for the messiah to return to make things right.

Most of the time I don’t mind people’s idealism no matter from whence it arises. A lot of idealism, oppositional on its surface, blends into one piece with other contrary idealisms.

Naiveté bothers me more frequently. A revolution is often proposed without any realistic plan. Issues such as who will support and participate in the revolution and what are the revolution’s practical objectives and implementations get short shrift. A steady and inexorable accumulation of small victories don’t count for much compared to that one glorious storming of all the old order’s citadels.

I suppose in some eyes I am reactionary, reformist, jaded, cynical, and naïve myself. I look in the mirror many days and feel the same way.

I think I have history on my side when it comes to skepticism.