Occasionally when I see a less-than-ascetically pleasing building (or piece of modern art), I think to myself: that ugly structure is going to outlive me. It and every piece of non-biodegradable trash sitting in the dumps, every newly minted quarter, and a host of other inanimate objects who are silently winning the competition to see who gets to be the last inhabitant of the earth. We are but transient guests here; it is our creations that have a more eternal presence.

This both depresses me and gives me hope. When I am dead and gone the McDonalds arches will press on (that’s the depressing part). But I am not without a creation of my own to pass. As long as there are minds for thoughts, my influence can be felt. Mine and everyone’s. We are all capable of leaving a mark on the world. It is only a question of how it will manifest itself. Will you be a funny story, told by your descendents at family gatherings? Or how about a “this is what so and so would have done”? A distant memory possbily, or a wistful recollection. If you’re lucky, your mark will be the example set by your life, admired by your rememberers as a model for emulation. But the ultimate legacy, in my humble opinion, is to be the author of an idea which takes root in the individual and produces an independent good. To be the ideological source of future merit—that I could live with (after I’m dead, of course).

Living to influence others without seeking acknowledgement for our efforts or the quality of our ideas is a challenge though. The desire for acknowledgment is so pervasive, and it has a tainting affect on motivations. To be recognized is sublime. To be ignored is torture. It is nigh impossible to do something that requires effort without hoping, consciously or subconsciously, that it will be appreciated—really that we will be appreciated. Even acts of charity are seemingly more rewarding when treated with heaps of gratitude. The wish for acknowledgment goes beyond conceit, stemming often from our own fundamental insecurities. It gives most people great pleasure when their persona is recognized for its uniqueness, while the absence of the same recognition can be felt as a nagging void. Acceptance by peers has become almost monumental. For some, if they are not liked, then they are nobody, and moreover everyone must like them. In this way the desire for acknowledgement shapes the human experience: behavior is motivated by it, happiness (temporary) is achieved through its satisfaction, and sadness is felt when it is not fulfilled.

Of course, selfish motivations don’t necessarily deprive a good thing of its goodness. One hopes that if a judgment day should ever come, merit will be counted, regardless of the reasons behind it. Maybe we just wouldn’t get “full credit”; I’m not sure. What I do know is that if there is such a thing as a selfless act, it’s not easy to commit. But I think just trying is significant. And in terms of leaving a mark on the world, we will more often than not take our motivations for leaving one to the grave. Besides- the living are usually generous when it comes to recalling the lives of the dead. But on that off chance that there really is a Great Record Keeper who sits on the edge of the clouds and keeps track like only an omniscient being can, I think I’ll err on the side of pursuing selflessness in my efforts. Whether I’ll ever catch it is another thing entirely.

Naturally I’ll be back in an hour to check and see if there are any flattering comments.