"And even if I tried, 'a better place' according to whom? Wars have been fought, and are still being fought, where each side genuinely believed they were making the world a better place."
I would use a definition of "making the world a better place" that does not include any sort of aggression. Inventing a better mousetrap, or anything else that is a new option as opposed to something shoved down people's throats. I don't think it's a bad thing to aspire to leaving something nice behind, though as you say it's not helpful to be all obsessed about doing so.
Good column.
"And even if I tried, 'a better place' according to whom? Wars have been fought, and are still being fought, where each side genuinely believed they were making the world a better place."
I would use a definition of "making the world a better place" that does not include any sort of aggression. Inventing a better mousetrap, or anything else that is a new option as opposed to something shoved down people's throats. I don't think it's a bad thing to aspire to leaving something nice behind, though as you say it's not helpful to be all obsessed about doing so.