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The End of Preaching

A friend of mine asked me today why I was not blogging as much as I used to. 

"An unwillingness to preach", I replied.

Though it was not like this before, before Sweden that is. I am unsure what triggered it, this cessation of will to force my opinion onto others. Perhaps it was the chapter on the philosopher John Locke, during my Engineering Ethics class, that emphasised the individual right to 'life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness'. Something about that resonated with me, mainly the idea that my definition of life and happiness does not and should not extend to everyone else, for what works for me need not work for you. When I lost that strong conviction in the unconventional idea, along with it was gone the inspiration to express that idea. 

Not that it led to a dearth of beliefs in me. I still hold steadfast to the same old values that I used to preach, until anyone can prove me wrong. Just that it does not matter to me anymore if you search for a meaning in life or squander it on material pleasures, if you smoke or do not smoke, if you believe in God or you do not. I might despise you secretly, or even openly, perhaps even drop a word or two, but the days of the strong words are long gone. One should not preach if one cannot prove. Therefore, you has the right to practise your beliefs, as long as it does not hurt anyone unjustly and more importantly, as long as you do not force them on me. 

Just like what a highly successful former editor of New Scientist magazine said when asked what his philosophy at New Scientist was.

"Our philosophy at New Scientist is that science is interesting, and if you don't agree, you can fuck off"

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