X-Message-Number: 16237
Date: Wed, 09 May 2001 01:06:21 -0400
From: James Swayze <>
Subject: Let's be committed sardines.
References: <>


I stumbled upon the following philosophy authored by an apparently education 
related motivatinal speaker named Ian Jukes regarding affecting change against 
long odds and overwhelming opposing numbers. I think it applies quite well to 
the struggle of immortalism versus deathism.

http://www.thecommittedsardine.net/what.html

What is a committed sardine?


A blue whale is the largest mammal on earth.  An adult blue whale is the length 
of over three Greyhound buses, weighs more than a fully loaded 747 and has a 
heart the size of a Volkswagon Beetle.  It is so large that it takes at least 
three minutes for it to make a turn of 180 degrees.  Many people draw a strong 
parallel between blue whales and our schools, businesses and even communities.  
It just seems to take forever to change direction.  But a

school of sardines consisting of a greater mass than a blue whale can turn 
almost instantly.  How do they do it?  Is it ESP?  CB radio?  The Internet?


If you take a careful look at a school of sardines, you'll see that the fish 
appear to be swimming in the same direction.  In reality, there will be always 
be a small group of sardines swimming against the flow causing friction with the
rest of the school.  But when this dedicated group of  committed sardines  
reaches a critical mass of only 15 to 20 percent, they induce the rest of the 
school to suddenly turn and follow their leadership!  Isn't

that what happened with our attitudes towards drinking and driving, and to our 
feelings about smoking?


They were changes of direction induced by a small group of people who were truly
committed to change, to go against the flow, to cause discomfort, and to 
challenge the normal direction. --Ian Jukes


James
--
Some of our views are spacious
some are merely space--RUSH

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