How to Change the World

So some of you may be wondering why oh why is Eric being so quiet lately? Is he like Alanis Morisette, that only creates amazing art when times are tough?

Well... no. Not exactly. I've got a new secret project. Ok... it's not so secret. Ok fine! Geez... If you're gonna press me about it: I'm working on changing the world. Well, I'm working on a website that I hope will change the world... but I'll be happy if it helps a few people.

You see, I don't really know where to put this post, because it's partially related to my blog about going to Japan (Blue Cranes Among Cherry Blossoms), and partially related to my blog about wanting to be a positive force in the universe (A New Ideal).

I feel like my life is converged to a point. I want to change the world, and the only way I can effectively shape the world is by changing the behaviour of others, since I myself am not capable of changing the whole world single handedly, one benevolent action at a time. So now in order to change behaviour, one needs to shape people's understanding of the world, because knowledge shapes behaviour. A change in knowledge is facilitated by a change in thinking, and a change in thinking is the active goal of education. Education is manifest through teaching, and I am going to Japan to teach. So that's one line of the convergence I was talking about earlier. 

The other line of convergence is that although I'm skilled at English, and therefore qualified to teach it (kinda), I'm a professional software developer... so what if I use my software development skills to enhance the effectiveness of teaching. Wouldn't that be cool? Wouldn't that be the ultimate charity as well? I mean, if my best money generating asset is my software development skills, then surely from a economic points of view, to give of my software development skill is the most valuable contribution to society I can make.

So that's the plan. I'm going to try to create something positive, that helps people to think better, and by helping them improve their thinking, each person can be better at evaluating independently how best to change the world.