With everything that is happening around the world right now, I can’t help but think. Would entrepreneurs engage in war? Would they be patriotic humans that are willing to defend their countries? Or do they take a wider view on the world we live in and think of themselves differently to “normal” people.
The past
I have always been very interested in the history, especially the World War II. My childhood has been filled with the stories of live in Poland in the 30s and 40s. My great-grandfather has been held in the concentration camp Gross Rosen. He was one of a handful of people who have ever managed to escape it.
My grandma was a young lady when the war broke up. My grandfather took an active part in the Warsaw Uprising. I remember the stories (good and bad) of what the live and humanity were like in those times.
I also read books. Big part of my school education was to read literature from the war times. It touched me very much. I think it is a shame that some of those stories are only remembered by the countries that lived through this.
The present
I often count my blessings. I think that it is wonderful to live in times where we have plentiful of everything. Food, water, shelter and money (if you are willing to work for it, it’s there!). We have also progressed as humans to the times where being entrepreneurial is acceptable. Where it is ok to have dreams and work hard to achieve them. Where it is OK to be different and embrace those differences in your life.
Our grandparents did not have this luxury. In fact they were often limited to the general society view on life of their times. They did not have the freedom of speech, the freedom of thought or freedom of expression. One of the most profound impressions my grandma left on me was how concerned she was on what the “people” will think. Every time she went out, she talked in public or even engaged in conversations in the local shop. It was always about the impressions she left. Even if those people she engaged with, were the complete strangers.
The future
I can’t help but think. In the last week the media scared us profoundly of the possibility of war between the US and North Korea. Or if you look deeper – between the United Nations and North Korea with it’s sole allay – China. What would you (the entrepreneur) do, if this call to war happened in your country? Would you feel (like many of our grandparents) that your sole life responsibility is to defend your country? Or would you think that this is not your conflict to engage in?
Don’t understand me wrong. I don’t judge. As entrepreneurs we view world differently. We engage with a worldwide audience of our customers, suppliers, friends and often family. I can’t image to think of somebody as my “enemy” and make any action to take their life away. Can you?
