He who rejects change is the architect of decay. The only human

Opening Scene – Narrated by Host

The room is dimly lit, the shadows cast by the soft light of a lamp flickering against the walls. Jack sits by the window, his fingers resting on a notebook, his gaze distant. Jeeny is standing by the bookshelf, a book in hand, but her attention is clearly on him, sensing his deep reflection. There’s a weight in the air, a shared recognition that change is a necessary force in life. Finally, Jack speaks, his voice thoughtful, as though weighing the significance of his words.

Character Descriptions

Jack: Male, around 35, tall and lean but strong. Sharp-featured face, grey eyes, low, husky voice. Pragmatic, logical, skeptical, often cynical. Speaks sharply, sometimes sarcastic, but carries hidden pain and loneliness.

Jeeny: Female, around 30, small frame, long black hair, deep brown eyes. Soft-spoken and emotional, yet fierce when defending her beliefs. Represents morality, empathy, and the power of the heart. Speaks poetically and with conviction.

Host: The narrator, an objective observer. Describes scenery, atmosphere, lighting, movements, inner emotions, and the rhythm of tension. Has a cinematic voice — like a camera lens observing the story.

Main Debate

Jack: “He who rejects change is the architect of decay. The only human institution which rejects progress is the cemetery. Harold Wilson said that, and it really makes me think. Change is inevitable, right? It’s the one constant in life. But so many people reject it, resist it, because they’re afraid of what it means. They want to hold on to the way things were, to preserve what’s comfortable. But when we do that, aren’t we just making things worse in the long run? Like stagnation, decay?”

Jeeny: She looks up from her book, her voice steady but passionate. “Yes, exactly. Change is often seen as something scary, something disruptive, but it’s also a necessity. Without change, we stagnate. Life moves forward, and if we don’t adapt, if we don’t embrace it, we’re essentially rejecting progress. Growth requires change, and if we refuse to change, we’re only hurting ourselves, keeping ourselves stuck in the past. Like he said, the cemetery is the only place that rejects progress, because that’s where things stop — where change has no place.”

Host: The atmosphere in the room is now charged with a deeper understanding of the role change plays in life. Jack and Jeeny both reflect on how rejecting change is not just an act of resistance, but one of decay, a slow erosion of the potential for growth and progress. The air feels still, filled with the weight of this realization. The light from the window softens, a subtle reminder that time moves forward, and with it, the inevitable need to adapt and evolve.

Jack: “I think a lot of people fear that change means giving up what they know, what’s comfortable. They think they’ll lose themselves, or they’ll lose what they’ve worked so hard to build. But when you think about it like that — like stagnation is the alternative — it becomes clear that change is actually necessary for survival, for growth. The people who resist it aren’t just holding on to the past; they’re creating a future where they won’t evolve. Where they’ll decay.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. Change isn’t about abandoning who we are or where we came from. It’s about adapting, making room for new ideas, new possibilities, and new ways of living. It’s about evolving with the times, so we don’t get left behind. The world is always moving forward, and we can either move with it or be left in its wake. Those who resist change are like ruins, preserved in time, but ultimately irrelevant to the world that’s moving forward.”

Host: The room now feels still, but alive with this understanding. Jack and Jeeny have connected on a deep level, realizing that change is not the enemy, but the only way to ensure that life continues to grow. The lighting in the room deepens as they reflect on the idea that rejection of progress leads to stagnation, a slow death of possibility. The rain outside begins to fall softly, echoing the rhythm of their thoughts.

Jack: “So, progress isn’t just about embracing new ideas, but about refusing to get stuck in the old ones. About realizing that holding on too tightly to the past doesn’t help anyone. We need to let go and embrace what comes next, even if we don’t fully understand it yet.”

Jeeny: “Yes. Change can be hard, it can be uncomfortable, but that discomfort is often a sign that something better is coming. It’s a signal to grow, to stretch, to evolve. Holding on to the past, to the familiar, can feel safe, but it’s ultimately a form of decay. We need to allow ourselves the freedom to change, to move with the world, to grow with it.”

Host: As the conversation unfolds, Jack and Jeeny both come to understand that true progress — personal, societal, or even in the workplace — can only happen when we embrace change, not resist it. The future demands adaptability and growth, and rejecting that change is rejecting the very essence of life itself. The quiet in the room is no longer filled with tension, but with a deep sense of acceptance — the understanding that growth comes only when we allow ourselves to change and move forward.

Jack: “So, it’s about accepting that change is part of life, not something to fear. That the only thing that truly stands still is death, and anything else — no matter how hard — is part of the process of living.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. Life is always evolving. The only thing that rejects progress is the cemetery, because everything else — the world, our thoughts, our experiences — is always shifting, always changing. We can either fight that change, or we can embrace it and grow.”

Host: The room feels filled with clarity now, the understanding between Jack and Jeeny deepening. Change, though difficult, is necessary. To resist it is to reject life itself. As the evening continues, the quiet realization that change is both inevitable and necessary fills the space between them. The world outside moves on, but inside, there is peace in knowing that growth and progress are rooted in our ability to adapt. Change is not to be feared, but embraced, because stagnation is the true enemy.