There’s something liberating about fighting an obvious enemy instead of the one you have to prove exists
That’s the same scenario in the system of Sri Lanka; we don’t get to see the programmer’s side to know how things operate, and in the worst-case scenario, we don’t even know if he’s telling the truth or not; we can’t distinguish what is true or false, the reality is what he set out to be so. That’s the programmer’s power, and the user is like a toddler who doesn’t understand technology.
So, what’s the case of “knowledge is power?” not exactly like cerci said, “Power is Power,” even knowing seems insufficient. Everyone knows the programmer is faulty, but can anyone prove it? It isn’t peculiar.
The problem is that users genuinely don’t know who’s their enemy. Users do not know whether the quality assurance engineer is on their side to prove or just there to reap his benefits. I think it will be a case of “every saint has a past, and a sinner has a future. “I don’t believe that someone with 100% wanting a better nation for people will come out. We might have to settle in for a compromise, but that’s not bad. It’s a step right now; we all need steps in the right direction. It’s never going to be an overnight success. It’s a project that takes time; whoever comes into power to change the system will always represent a typical citizen’s behavior, more or less. Maybe that’s how most of us are; power changes people. I remember hearing people say if I were a powerful man’s son or daughter, I wouldn’t lead a life any different. The problem always starts with us. If you want to make a new program, you might have to learn a new programming language; maybe a new algorithm, but just as some don’t understand the programming jargon out here. We all might have to step out of our comfort zone and change ourselves so that we are transparent and patient. I hope our generation changes the program to a point where it will only continue to improve.
And I know some people don’t exactly believe in our current situation like it’s never going to change regardless; as I said, Protests are never overnight successes. They are there to make history; one of the most prominent examples is the Washington protests in 1963, “I have a dream” by Martin Luther King JR.
“Even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”
He knew it wasn’t going to be an instant success. He knew they had to face the difficulties of “today and tomorrow.” He knew the struggle would continue for a long time, but he pretty much achieved what he set out to do; why? Because his values and vision were far more significant for his people and country.
I believe our generation is here to make history and make the statement, “you messed with the wrong generation” I hope the values we hold on to are far broader than the ‘rice packet and arrack bottle.’
What’s next?
Penned By: Rtr. Easara Weerasinghe (Editorial Member 2021-22)
Edited, translated and published by: RACSLIIT Editorial Team 2021-22
Rotaract Club of SLIIT 