--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In my reporting, I've found that real…" description: "\"In my reporting, I've found that real change escapes many change-makers because powerful illusions guide their projects.\" — Anand Giridharadas" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a3/anand-giridharadas-12467_change_in-my-reporting-i-ve-found-that-real-cha_701432.jpg" --- # In my reporting, I've found that real change escapes many… ![“In my reporting, I've found that real change escapes many change-makers because powerful illusions guide their projects.” quote by Anand Giridharadas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a3/anand-giridharadas-12467_change_in-my-reporting-i-ve-found-that-real-cha_701432.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a3/anand-giridharadas-12467_change_in-my-reporting-i-ve-found-that-real-cha_701432.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a3/anand-giridharadas-12467_change_in-my-reporting-i-ve-found-that-real-cha_701432.jpg) > “In my reporting, I've found that real change escapes many change-makers because powerful illusions guide their projects.” [Anand Giridharadas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anand-giridharadas/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Change initiatives often fail because they are built on comforting myths rather than reality. **In simple terms:** Illusions hinder real progress. Key Takeaway Question assumptions before acting. Themes change illusion power systems critical thinking Mood critical reflective Type analytical inspirational When to use this quote - nonprofit planning - policy design - community organizing - activism Key Concepts social dynamics psychology political economy Questions to Reflect On - What hidden belief drives your project? - How can you test the reality of your assumptions? A Different Perspective Myths can be persuasive and hard to dismantle. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Change Makers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change-makers-1078044/) [Guide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guide/) [Illusions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/illusions/) [Illusions Guide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/illusions-guide-5551938/) [Powerful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/powerful/) [Powerful Illusions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/powerful-illusions-4462163/) [Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real/) [Real change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-change/) ## Related quotes > [Official truths are often powerful illusions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-pilger/official-truths-are-often-powerful-illusions/) [John Pilger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-pilger/) > [The one single factor that determines society’s success is the percentage of change-makers within it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-drayton/the-one-single-factor-that-determines-society-s-success-is-the/) [Bill Drayton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-drayton/) > [“We need original thinkers, provocateurs, and people who care. We need marketers who can lead, salespeople able to risk making a human connection, passionate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/we-need-original-thinkers-provocateurs-and-people-who-care-we-need/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [“Change makers take risks and are ready to die for excellence than to give excuses and live for mediocrity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/change-makers-take-risks-and-are-ready-to-die-for-excellence-than-to/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [Policymakers are not the change makers. Because policymakers can't make policy unless we allow them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-somerhalder/policymakers-are-not-the-change-makers-because-policymakers-can-t/) [Ian Somerhalder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-somerhalder/) > [“Change makers don’t think change making is someone else’s job, but rather their calling to fulfill. They take responsibility and face challenges.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/change-makers-don-t-think-change-making-is-someone-else-s-job-but/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [We the people are the change makers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-somerhalder/we-the-people-are-the-change-makers/) [Ian Somerhalder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-somerhalder/) > [Real change begins with citizens registering to vote, becoming active and engaged in their communities, and casting their ballot at every election for those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nina-turner/real-change-begins-with-citizens-registering-to-vote-becoming-active/) [Nina Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nina-turner/) > [“Uncertainty is a certainty in life. Unknown is well-known in life. Uncertainty and unknown gives space for the impossible to become possible. Real change…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kitty-downer/uncertainty-is-a-certainty-in-life-unknown-is-well-known-in-life/) [Kitty Downer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kitty-downer/) > [Ideas are very important to the shaping of society. In fact, they are more powerful than bombings or armies or guns. And this is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-paul/ideas-are-very-important-to-the-shaping-of-society-in-fact-they-are/) [Ron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-paul/) > [To experience playing with other big players, to be maybe a second choice. To face difficulty, a new language for his family. It's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-desailly/to-experience-playing-with-other-big-players-to-be-maybe-a-second/) [Marcel Desailly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-desailly/) > [If you want real change, if you want a stronger America at home and abroad and an America that cherishes our highest ideals, head…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/if-you-want-real-change-if-you-want-a-stronger-america-at-home-and/) [Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/) > [I'm asking you to believe. Not just in my ability to bring about real change in Washington . . . I'm asking you to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-m-asking-you-to-believe-not-just-in-my-ability-to-bring-about-real/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Everything I did to get back, if it wasnt for my team, it was for my city. Thats one thing that I bought into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-lewis/everything-i-did-to-get-back-if-it-wasnt-for-my-team-it-was-for-my/) [Ray Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-lewis/) > [Real change doesn't come without crisis. Childbirth doesn't come without crisis. I think that's happening with humanity now. Our growth has generated multiple crises...and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-eisenstein/real-change-doesn-t-come-without-crisis-childbirth-doesn-t-come/) [Charles Eisenstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-eisenstein/) ## More by Anand Giridharadas > [In an economy increasingly dominated by network effects, peer-to-peer transactions, self-regulation, and contract labor, the old frameworks are woefully irrelevant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anand-giridharadas/in-an-economy-increasingly-dominated-by-network-effects-peer-to-peer/) [Anand Giridharadas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anand-giridharadas/) > [For our family, learning was everything. Homework came first; books, being sacred, were never to be left on the floor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anand-giridharadas/for-our-family-learning-was-everything-homework-came-first-books/) [Anand Giridharadas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anand-giridharadas/) > [America has deep, fundamental institutions that take a long time to replicate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anand-giridharadas/america-has-deep-fundamental-institutions-that-take-a-long-time-to/) [Anand Giridharadas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anand-giridharadas/) > [More and more, the superrich don't live in one place but many, flitting between multiple homes on different continents, flying to them on private…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anand-giridharadas/more-and-more-the-superrich-don-t-live-in-one-place-but-many-flitting/) [Anand Giridharadas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anand-giridharadas/) > [IT put India on the map of the world and told Indians that they are somebody in the world. There is something about technology…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anand-giridharadas/it-put-india-on-the-map-of-the-world-and-told-indians-that-they-are/) [Anand Giridharadas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anand-giridharadas/) > [“that his tendency to hate could ultimately save his life. In fact, in”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anand-giridharadas/that-his-tendency-to-hate-could-ultimately-save-his-life-in-fact-in/) [Anand Giridharadas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anand-giridharadas/) > [In Europe, more than in the United States, worldly people, faced with my Indian skin, reflexively laud my 'ancient,' 'beautiful' origins, which is heartier…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anand-giridharadas/in-europe-more-than-in-the-united-states-worldly-people-faced-with-my/) [Anand Giridharadas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anand-giridharadas/) > [Election time is when you start to hear about 'average people,' 'working families,' 'patriotic Americans' and such.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anand-giridharadas/election-time-is-when-you-start-to-hear-about-average-people-working/) [Anand Giridharadas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anand-giridharadas/) > [I worry when each of us is seduced by visions of the future that have no place for the other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anand-giridharadas/i-worry-when-each-of-us-is-seduced-by-visions-of-the-future-that-have/) [Anand Giridharadas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anand-giridharadas/) > [Right after college, after growing up in the United States, I moved to India, broadly telling the story of how an old and stagnant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anand-giridharadas/right-after-college-after-growing-up-in-the-united-states-i-moved-to/) [Anand Giridharadas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anand-giridharadas/) > [Taking offense is, in fact, one of the few things that brings us together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anand-giridharadas/taking-offense-is-in-fact-one-of-the-few-things-that-brings-us/) [Anand Giridharadas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anand-giridharadas/) > [To spend time in Silicon Valley in a year of political upheaval is, on one level, soothing. It is pleasant to hear talk of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anand-giridharadas/to-spend-time-in-silicon-valley-in-a-year-of-political-upheaval-is-on/) [Anand Giridharadas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anand-giridharadas/) > [When it comes to granting unconditional birthright citizenship, the United States and Canada are alone in the industrialized world: North American exceptionalism, you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anand-giridharadas/when-it-comes-to-granting-unconditional-birthright-citizenship-the/) [Anand Giridharadas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anand-giridharadas/) > [I have a weakness for treating people's economic interests as their only interest, ignoring things like belonging and pride and the desire to send…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anand-giridharadas/i-have-a-weakness-for-treating-people-s-economic-interests-as-their/) [Anand Giridharadas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anand-giridharadas/) > [Most of us are too enmeshed in communities to live our ideals. Outsiders have less to lose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anand-giridharadas/most-of-us-are-too-enmeshed-in-communities-to-live-our-ideals/) [Anand Giridharadas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anand-giridharadas/) [Explore all 54 Anand Giridharadas quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anand-giridharadas/) ## More Change quotes > [Only within yourself exists the other reality for which you long. I can give you nothing that has not already its being within yourself.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/only-within-yourself-exists-the-other-reality-for-which-you-long-i/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [“…progress isn't necessarily about change but about things turning out as we want them to”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-hogan/progress-isn-t-necessarily-about-change-but-about-things-turning-out/) [Phil Hogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-hogan/) > [Nobody can tell me that no changes are necessary in Washington.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-weld/nobody-can-tell-me-that-no-changes-are-necessary-in-washington/) [William Weld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-weld/) > [If my campaign is not in the debate, we will not be talking about how we really fix this problem of endless and expanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/if-my-campaign-is-not-in-the-debate-we-will-not-be-talking-about-how/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [When you walk down the street of Kabul your values for life changes, they do change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-pierre-white/when-you-walk-down-the-street-of-kabul-your-values-for-life-changes/) [Marco Pierre White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-pierre-white/) > [Your world will change whether or not you choose to change, but you have the power to choose it's direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/your-world-will-change-whether-or-not-you-choose-to-change-but-you/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [I hope I continue to evolve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-flair/i-hope-i-continue-to-evolve/) [Charlotte Flair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-flair/) > [“Stay focused on bringing people together and more on positive messaging so that you can be the change you wish to see in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/stay-focused-on-bringing-people-together-and-more-on-positive/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [The biggest change for me as a mom was realizing I needed to put someone else before me. Now the hardest part about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-alexis/the-biggest-change-for-me-as-a-mom-was-realizing-i-needed-to-put/) [Kim Alexis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-alexis/) > [“After the funeral, my life changed. I felt as if time were suddenly precious, water going down an open drain, and I could not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/after-the-funeral-my-life-changed-i-felt-as-if-time-were-suddenly/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [You practice mindfulness, on the one hand, to be calm and peaceful. On the other hand, as you practice mindfulness and live a life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-practice-mindfulness-on-the-one-hand-to-be-calm-and-peaceful-on/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Irish research will contribute to global progress and have the potential to help all countries realise the potential of their land sectors in addressing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enda-kenny/irish-research-will-contribute-to-global-progress-and-have-the/) [Enda Kenny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enda-kenny/) > [No man can change himself into anything from sheer reason; he can only change into what he potentially is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/no-man-can-change-himself-into-anything-from-sheer-reason-he-can-only/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) [Browse all 33,920 Change quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "In my reporting, I've found that real change escapes many change-makers because powerful illusions guide their projects.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Anand Giridharadas" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anand-giridharadas/in-my-reporting-i-ve-found-that-real-change-escapes-many-change/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Change" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anand-giridharadas/in-my-reporting-i-ve-found-that-real-change-escapes-many-change/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a3/anand-giridharadas-12467_change_in-my-reporting-i-ve-found-that-real-cha_701432.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a3/anand-giridharadas-12467_change_in-my-reporting-i-ve-found-that-real-cha_701432.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a3/anand-giridharadas-12467_change_in-my-reporting-i-ve-found-that-real-cha_701432.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“In my reporting, I've found that real change escapes many change-makers because powerful illusions guide…” — Anand Giridharadas", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Anand Giridharadas", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anand-giridharadas/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "In my reporting, I've found that...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anand-giridharadas/in-my-reporting-i-ve-found-that-real-change-escapes-many-change/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anand-giridharadas/in-my-reporting-i-ve-found-that-real-change-escapes-many-change/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```