Urban Development Discussion: Choices
Life is Full of Choices
Life is full of choices that can lead to growth and happiness, or confusion and despair. In The Come Up, I aimed to provide young men with the tools to make better choices. With the fictitious Urban Development: Adapt or Die, I use storytelling to bring to life the more complex, often overlooked factors that shape our decisions. Let’s explore why.
Urban Development: A Tale for Our Times
Kairome Calloway’s story in Urban Development: Adapt or Die is about more than just survival. It’s about making the most of difficult circumstances, especially in cities where opportunities are scarce. For Kairome, the choices are not about fame or fortune, but survival. This book shines a light on this struggle, encouraging readers to think about the very real and immediate choices many face daily in their lives.
Challenging the Reader
My books are designed to challenge you. But what does that mean? It’s about understanding why some, like Kairome, are forced to make the choices they do. The Urban Development series invites you to look beyond surface-level judgments and understand that choices often stem from a deep-seated scarcity, not just of resources but of opportunities, security, and hope.
Scarcity isn’t just a lack of resources; it’s a mindset, a daily struggle that consumes thought and energy. People in this situation aren’t making bad decisions; they’re making urgent decisions. Choices become reactive rather than reflective. Urban Development asks you to recognize this reality and think deeper about the constraints that shape choices, not only for Kairome but for countless others who face similar circumstances. A closer, more honest, psychological, economic or even academic look, often reveals the reality of decision making while lacking resources.
It’s a desperate race where every choice is a gamble, and the only bets available often lead to actions that society might deem immoral or illegal. But what is morality in a place where typical rules, protections and opportunities don’t apply or don’t exist?
Imagine working full time but barely earning enough money to maintain a humble home and groceries. The slightest decrease of income can be detrimental to your life. You’ve seen it happen repeatedly to other people so you work hard to avoid it. However, due to circumstances beyond your control, your paycheck isn’t what it should be and are forced to choose between paying rent or an electric bill. Either way, there is a consequence that sets you back further than you can afford. Furthermore, the stress of this new situation will persist until you figure it out or lose something. You are mentally and financially wiped out and at this point unable to focus on any other aspects of life.
Every acceptable solution you’ve thought of offers temporary relief while promising to chip away at quality of life.The alternatives will help keep you afloat, however, they will require making decisions that chip away at your moral and or ethical values.
Which decision will you make when you can barely survive and the only way out requires you to violate your moral and or ethical values? Hypothetically it’s a no-brainer. In reality, you’d make the choices that give you the best outcome.
Making a Difference with Urban Development: Adapt or Die
Books can bridge the gap between existing and living with purpose. Urban Development offers more than an engaging story; it offers a critical look at societal norms and the barriers that many face. Through the lens of Kairome’s life, I aim to inspire growth, empathy, and positive transformation.
In Conclusion
Writing Urban Development: Adapt or Die has been more than a personal journey. It’s about connecting with readers, building bridges, and fostering understanding. I’m not just offering a good read; I’m challenging you to see the world through the eyes of those who have faced unacceptably real challenges, to think, feel, and act differently.
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