A Conversation

“What a whirlwind it has been, hey guys!” Geoff patted his friends on the back. For 4 years they had been slogging away at the computer, keeping late nights, reading with torchlights, and spending weekends in libraries, hunched over books. The projects worked though. They had caused a stir, a ripple in the norm. They had planted the seeds of change in people’s minds. It was crazy to think it all started with a conversation that Geoff had with his parents all those years ago.

Because of that conversation, they had started an eco-club at their school, spoke in their parents’ offices about how adults had to be more responsible stewards of the planet, and even had a meeting with a member of parliament.

They had sparked people’s interest in a topic that most in their country ignored. Their country was previously lauded for being a ‘throwaway nation.’ Everyone was more interested in shiny things, getting the best, buying the newest, than worrying about overconsumption or climate change. But you know how the saying goes, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” And they were just the right people.

4 years after that fated conversation, the boys were more motivated than ever to revisit their education programmes and spread the word. They knew they had to reach so many more people than just those in their social circles in Hungary and Singapore. If they could accomplish all this in such a short time, who knows when they’d be able to tip the social tipping point and make a sharing economy a global norm.

Geoff’s eyes sparkled, reminiscing that one conversation that his parents had because of a workshop they attended. Almost in tears, they left. Back to the drawing board. More lives to change.