After reading Ismael I was intrigued by some of the thing that he said. For instance, "What you do is to teach a hundred what I've taught you, and inspire each of them to teach a hundred. That's how it's always done." I think that he is trying to get the point across that every movement has to start somewhere. It always takes a few individuals to step out of the ordinary and show people that there may be better ways to do things. If others begin to see the positives that may come from going about things differently, the idea snowballs, and in time becomes the new standard.
             If we look back on our history as a country, we can see that there have been several major revolutions in our culture. By revolution I mean major fundamental changes in the way our culture operates. For instance, the post Civil War civil rights movement was what I would call a cultural revolution. It was a long and drawn out process that I would venture to say is not complete yet, but African Americans were granted equal rights as whites. This is a very good example of a small group of people fighting against all odds to change something that they did not believe in and succeeding. Of course there was some major opposition to banning slavery, and much of it was violent and intimidating. However, those who stuck by the side of this worthy cause saw to it that it was completed. This was also the case with the women's suffrage movement.
             I think Ishmael is wanting the student to become an advocate for the Earth, as well as mankind. Since he is a writer, he may be able to write a book that brings readers' attention to the horrible things we are doing to the Earth. The awareness may spark others to do thier part in righting these wrongs. In this sense, I think that the task Ishmael has set for the student is obtainable. He is only asking the student to use his skills as a writer to spread the word of a more peaceful way to live in t...