Can we make an impact through writing?

On 12.24.09, In blogging, By Akhila

I ran across this really excellent post the other day, by Lola Adesioye. I love this quote from her:

I have spent many column inches and airtime talking about the shoulda, woulda and the couldas of life. And don’t get me wrong – I enjoy it! But I also ask myself how much of a difference it makes. As someone committed to making a tangible difference in the world, I’m becoming much more interested in, and committed to, work that provides solutions to an issue and is forward thinking.

Ultimately, what impact can blogging, writing, and researching can have? It’s something I personally struggle with.

Today, we are constantly bombarded by information - whether it’s from the news, from blogs, from Twitter, or from other social networks. There hasn’t been any other time in history when people have had access to so much information so quickly and so easily. Of course, the American news media contains many flaws - far too much trivial coverage, and far too little on important issues across the globe. But, true understanding is just a Google away, regardless of the topic’s coverage in the mainstream media. What can I add through blogging, by adding my voice to this cacophony? Am I doomed to be lost in the web streams, or is my writing actually of value? Is it worth spending my time writing about things, rather than actually doing them?

When it comes to academic research, I certainly love reading a really good paper on transitional justice or aid or governance as much as the next person. While research certainly is necessary, I am again left to wonder what effect that has on the world. What I find more urgent than new research is the need to properly and fully implement all the findings and solutions that are already out there. We already know what needs to happen - and we need to start making these things happen. It seems that the more critical need is here, in the implementation stage.

The impact of writing depends on luck. Writing can reach people, but there is no guarantee it will. The impact of writing depends on the rise of those who will listen, learn, and implement your thoughts or solutions in the “real world.” One person might take something away from your writing, or a million people might take action because of it. Rarely, however, does the latter happen. But by being the implementer, you can begin affecting change immediately.

I want to make an impact in this world, but I strive to reconcile this with my own love for writing. I care about human rights and development issues, but first and foremost, I have always had the answer “Writing” at the tip of my tongue when anyone asks me simply: What is your passion? I have always had a propensity for words - whether it is through poetry or blogging or academic papers.

I want both: to be an implementer, but also a writer and thinker. Is there some way to incorporate both into life and career? How can we bridge this divide between: theory and practice, writing and doing, talking and solving. One or the other might be satisfying, but only a combination might be truly fulfilling.

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  • Guest
    I think the best way to do this is pioneering. For example, a journalist takes a first voyage to some war-torn country, and by writing and revealing the issues there, lets the rest of the world take action. This journalist doesn't even have to stop there. He/she can continue to make a difference there while continuing to shine the light on that issue. That is personally why I have chosen journalism as a future career path, although some people aren't very supportive of that idea. The impact of writing, the basis of communication and communion between all people, cannot be understated, even by writers themselves. Keep writing while some are reading. God bless.
  • That's a great point - but what is the guarantee that the world will take action on the issues that the journalist has written about and brought to light? I think that's the difficulty I have with writing. I don't want to depend on other people to potentially carry out my work; I want to be able to make a direct impact myself. So many people - like myself - write. But others may or may not take action based on my writing. I think that's really where I question the value of writing, when I feel like there are more people out there writing than doing.
  • This is thte exact question I've been asking myself, and a certain mentor of mine asked me an insightful question (see my latest blog post): Would you rather be making the news or reporting the news? I think our writing and the writing of others' does make an impact, but it's not a direct one that you and I can feel, touch and play a part in every day. It's more like a side effect.

    For me personally, I'm brainstorming ways that it can be a main course rather than a side dish and welcome your thoughts. I have a feeling that it involves more doing and perhaps less writing--I've leaned more on my passion for writing rather than doing. As I've mentioned before, I too share a great interest in human rights and international development. So, I'm open for ideas: What can we do to truly feel and make an impact?
  • Alex, thanks for the thoughtful comment, and it seems like we are both on the same wavelength. As I commented on your blog, I definitely want to be making the news rather than just writing about it.

    And I am definitely going to work towards a career in which I can make an impact...while also being able to write and do what I love. I love writing and I do think it's powerful to write books and articles on important topics. Yet, I also want to make an impact and I'm going to do that through a career in the non-profit/social enterprise sector or through policymaking of some sort in the long run.

    I think if we want "doing" to be the main course, we have to dedicate our lives to it. No, that doesn't mean just writing about it on our blogs or "raising awareness." It means wholeheartedly jumping into a cause you care about whether it means working with an NGO or a social business or a government agency, or even starting up a non-profit of your own/fundraising and volunteering in your free time.

    Whenever possible, action should be undertaken to make an impact.
  • Sometimes, I feel I have to choose between the theoretical (reading, writing, researching) and the practical (field work). The thing is, I can't choose and I'm incomplete without the other. Both are equally important as one reinforces the other. The ultimate quest is to find a job that would allow me to utilize the two as I've realized therein lies my 'future' job satisfaction.
  • I feel the same way about having to choose between writing/reading and also doing practical work - whether it is for an NGO, working in government/policy, or basically making a concrete impact somehow on people's lives.

    I agree that we don't have to choose necessarily one path as both reinforce another. By writing and reflecting, we can learn a lot and contribute what we've learned along the way. Yet I don't think I could be satisfied by solely academic work because I simply wouldn't be able to make the impact I hope to make through academia. I agree that some combination of both will result in future job satisfaction.
  • Leah Pine
    When I was in college, I think I wrote almost the exact same blog post but in my journal. Is it possible to be an implementer, a writer, and a thinker all at once? How to bridge theory and practice? Is writing active enough, or does it just glance off of the real problems like a blunted spear?

    I think for academically-and-action-minded people like you and me, it will be an oscillation between the static (writing, thinking, researching) and the dynamic--high volume action. They leverage each other, and neither can be powerful without the other. Or at least, I can't feel fulfilled or powerful as a person unless I'm using both. And I think that's basically the conclusion you came to as well.

    I found something that is mostly action-based but lets me draw on my background in theory and my propensity for writing: political organizing. It satisfies me for now. Sometimes I don't feel intellectually challenged, but I can always go to grad school later on if I want.

    Writing IS of value, and if you pay attention to groups like MMFA, then you already know that the left has a lot of catching up to do with its media. I've been thinking about putting together a project that would take liberal college students who show a lot of promise with their writing, and putting them in a big workshop with some of our best pundits. The problem, of course, is that nobody really reads anything...but that's a whole other problem.

    One person who I think has struck the perfect balance between thinking and action is George Lakoff. He uses psycholinguistics to analyze and try and revamp the rhetoric of the left. He used to run the Rockridge Institute, but that fell by the wayside, which made me sad.

    Maybe we oughta start it up again.

    Keep on keepin on. You're bright, and you'll be a mover and a shaker no matter what medium its in.
  • Leah, thank you so much for your long comment and the valuable thoughts. I agree, and I basically came t same conclusion as you did. I personally won't be satisfied unless I'm able to have both aspects in life - as you said the static and the dynamic/active aspects of not only thinking and writing but also getting out there and doing.

    The danger is when we don't take time to reflect on what we've learned through writing or take time to do what we love. The danger is also when we only write and forget completely to take action - which is incredibly vital.

    I agree that writing is of value, but the problem I have like you said is in terms of actually reaching people. Sure some people will read what you have to say but how many of them who read your books/articles/thoughts go on to take ACTION because of that?? I don't want to write about the injustices in the world and the human rights violations ongoing if NO one is going to take action because of what I said! Take action meaning donate, volunteer, read further and become informed about the issues, speak out/campaign, or JOIN this area for a career.

    But the fact is that most people are not going to take action despite whatever I write. And I probably reach a self-selecting bunch too -- those who read what I write are ALREADY the type who are taking action because they care about these issues. I don't think I'm reaching anyone new with my words, which is what I wanted to do in the end.
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