fCompartir

Tweet

In 1968 [1] Senator Robert F. Kennedy said, “Some men see things as they are and say, why; I dream things that never were and say, why not” (as an adaptation of a George Bernard Shaw quote [2]).

It was this quote that welcomed me every day of my M.S. and Ph.D. at Louisiana Tech University as a part of a two-story motif in a beautiful entrance rotunda (Fig. 1).The message, challenge, and vision that this transmitted to me before heading into work are with me just as strongly now. As this year winds down and we are left to consider our accomplishments and set the stage for next year’s work I wonder: How well do we see those things that could be?

As I have mentioned before, I believe that as innovators, scientists, and thinkers, Mexico shines in cutting-edge creativity [3] [4] [5]  However, our most important mission is to transcend these initial steps and become forces for true social good and transformation. Churning out great quantities of knowledge only to have that knowledge become an indistinguishable, unimpactful, self-occluding mountain of texts is diametrically opposed to working towards the common good when this knowledge is not often transformed to an active social asset. As Dr. Luke recorded quite some time ago, “No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light.” (Luke 11:33 [6])

We are called to be the light upon the stand. The light that can be seen. The light that can guide. The light that draws in. In this season of beautiful lights, gifts, and goodwill we can make personal, departmental, and institutional commitments to working towards those dreams of things that never were.

Mexico as an innovation hub giving Silicon Valley a run for it’s money…why not? Mexico as a world entertainment capital…why not? The selection of the occupant of Los Pinos becoming globally-followed news for it’s importance to world economies and stability…why not? Mexico’s universities as a primary global attractor of aspiring young academic talent…why not? The list of these why nots is as infinite as our dreams. When I join my students and fellow faculty in talk about our innovations, ideas, and plans, I see the seeds of these dreams growing and yearning to flower into a beautiful reality.

However, these dreams and all their potential futures at our fingertips have many dangerous and deadly enemies: the hubris and blindness of only looking inwardly for inspiration, structure, ideas, and policies; the assumption that if no one more successful than us nationally is pursuing an idea, it’s not worth doing; the acceptance of the regulatory and policy status quo as the best we can hope for; planning primarily for the next year instead of including the next decade and century; unbridled desires for senseless control; opportunism instead of collaboration; and on and on and on. One common factor within these enemies of our dreams is fear. Fear of being different, standing out, retribution, failure, loss, being left behind, lack of control, humiliation, etc. However, as Paul once reminded Timothy: “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” (II Timothy 1:7 [6]) Fear is not banished by courage, rather courage is taking that next step in spite of fear

As we look to next year and beyond, let us not simply question the “why?” of things, but instead answer the challenge of “why not?”. Let us resolve to set aside the paralysis of fear and take on the impossible challenges with courage. Let us invest in a future worth struggling for. Let our light shine with such strength that it becomes a guide for our nation and our neighbors. I will do my best to contribute my part with my faith, my life, my time, my science, my work, my teaching. What will your part be in 2018? Can you see a dream that’s worth answering challenge of “why not?”

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a joyous and transformative Happy New Year to you all!

References

x

x