A famous speaker was here in our small town earlier this evening.  Jared Diamond stood before the yellow velvet curtains and spoke about the rise and fall of recent civilizations in front of an overflowing auditorium.  Students comprised 5% of the audience; the rest were mostly  intellectual-looking older professors or professionals. 

The guy really didn’t say anything substantial.  It did not surprise me that he, like most executives or so-called important people, was really just another politician.  The main points of his lecture consisted of general and irrefutable statements about civilizations:

1.  “We must protect the environment…”

2.  “The notion of globalization intimidates many emerging societies…”

3.  “Globalization is actually an improvement in communication…”

What kind of educated person would not agree with that?  The rest of the lecture was as generic and hypothetical as his main points.

You who did not attend this lecture did not miss out on much.  He didn’t have anything new or insightful to say.  The only real benefit to going was to see a Pulitzer guy in person, and [if you’re one of those people] to say you’ve attended his lecture.  I appreciate having the chance to go to these things.  However, I expected something more thought provoking than general politics from a discreet politician.

Well, I decided to be the change I wanted to see in that auditorium… so at 4:59, I left my seat to get in the aisle for the Q&A session.  (That’s right –  I have a question for YOU, Mr. Pulitzer Prize winning author…  )   A familiar rush courses through me as I walk down the carpeted aisle toward the microphone.  Several heads conspicuously turn twice; not only was I the only female getting in line, but I was the youngest one up there. 

I look over my notes in my mini journal…

(To be continued)