Radical (28)

Radical:

[adj] A description of an action or thing that is especially impressive [urbandictionary.com]

[n] An extremist of a belief or a rebel [urbandictionary.com]

[adj] especially of change or action, relating to or affecting the fundamental nature of something, far-reaching or thorough [oxforddictionaries.com]

[adj] characterised by departure from tradition; innovative or progressive [Oxforddictionaries.com]

They are not the kind of music that you would typically find 20-somethings listening to. As Africans we are so used to this type of music that we do not see the need to support it financially. Whereas many will scrimp and save to catch a glimpse the latest American fad, they struggle to be seen. The fact that they have an amazing act or and obvious ability to entertain holds no merit. But they still stand. They risk whatever little they have; their time, pride, money. They step out and onto the stage. They enjoy themselves and perform like they are in the company of royalty.

I have been challenged that perhaps I do not think radically enough. When I was in school, people described engineering students by making rectangle or square shapes in the air with their fingers. Apparently, we were thought to have minds that were restricted in terms of our interaction with the "real" world. Life, for us, was thought to be defined by sets of equations. Most of us seemed to make decisions based on logical conclusions with the least probability of failure.

The logic did not prepare us for a world in which nothing made sense. People seldom keep their word. Nothing is ever as it seems. Opportunities neither arrive at your door step nor do they leave their contact details in the yellow pages. Success, especially financial success, is a reward that is mostly available to those who dare to make illogical, irrational decisions; choosing risk over safety.

We spent over 20 years preparing to join the army of 9-5 workers. We were brainwashed into thinking that this was all that matters. We plan and line up our papers and hope that the letters before and after our names will attract attention to us.

Perhaps we are focusing on the wrong methods. Maybe we should be learning to think outside the rectangles and squares; to look beyond what we see and step into the unknown with nothing but hope that all will be well.

It is so hard to leave my calculator behind. But I must….