What are you doing about it?

[Scourge2099]

The world isn't really worth saving to me anymore. I'd rather watch it burn.

 

[UltimateJustin]

The world isn't really worth saving to me anymore. I'd rather watch it burn.

omg your sick.

 

[Superwoman Prime]

I try to set a good example of moral behavior in day to day life. That's really about it. Sometimes I'm a poor example.

Meanwhile I'm saving money to move to Canada. And once I'm there, I want to visit France at least once. Already studying the French language. That's two countries on the list. Some like to travel and start new lives once the status quo becomes nihilistic and stale.

 

[SuperFerret]

Like I said in the other thread, and countless others: THE EARTH ISN'T A CATASTROPHE.

Warning: I'm not sugar coating the following crap.

As for that food that I threw out yesterday and that dollar bill I sneezed into and then tossed in the trash in regards to all the starving children elsewhere in the world; sucks to be them. I'm sorry that they're in a crappy situation, I really am. It's unfortunate, but the fact of the matter is that there are always going to be places that absolutely suck and places that are great to live in.

You want to make the world a better place? Go ahead, but if you please, could you define "better" for me? Because what you see as "better" may be different than what I see as "better" and both could be different than what others would define it as.

Granted, things will change over time, but as those things change, they'll undoubtedly stay the same. Human society hasn't changed much in the thousands of years that have past, and it likely won't.

Making the world a better place, as far as I'm concerned, involves doing what you can for those you can directly, and not worrying about the affairs of others. Sure, you can be aware of things outside your sphere of influence, but do things for yourself and your people first and foremost.

 

[Hobgoblin]

That's outrageous. Surely Americans have every right to live their lives embracing the opportunities they were given. It makes sense to have a data plan on your cell and to spend money watching silly popcorn movies, because accessing the internet through your cell is highly useful for the lives WE LIVE and escapism via silly popcorn movies is a break from the stress of OUR LIVES. It's not our responsibility to notice the rest of the world.

"Things are rough all over." - Cherry Valance

Of course they do. But I also find it hard to believe that they cant give a dollar a day to someone that needs it more than they do. Certainly, not everyone can afford it but the majority of people can. I would disagree that it isnt our responsibility to notice the rest of the world. It is absolutely our responsibility.

That's so beyond ignorant that I don't even know what else to say.

You have a right to your opinion.

 

[Anubis]

Well, we've done it. Earth's a catastrophe. Politics are a catastrophe. Everything feels hopeless. Everyone who knows anything about what's going on is complaining.

Enough complaining. Words are only noise unless they follow action.

This thread begs the question "what are you doing to make a difference?" and to share stories and ideas that can influence others to make one too.

This's NOT the place for political arguments. You want that, go to another thread. This is the place to encourage and challenge one another towards some progress we aren't seeing enough of.

We know it's pretty negative out there. Let's encourage some positive.

I'll start with a small example (I hope some of you have better ones), some websites I frequent.
http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/en/
http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=1
http://www.change.org/savethewhales/petitions
http://wwf.worldwildlife.org/site/PageServer?pagename=can_home

Those are my cards. Now it's your turn. Trump my hand.

I got a bag of Funyuns, a 2 liter of Dr. Pepper, and All the seasons of Mad Men and Breaking Bad on Blu-Ray. I'm just gonna ride it out.

 

[SuperFerret]

Of course they do. But I also find it hard to believe that they cant give a dollar a day to someone that needs it more than they do. Certainly, not everyone can afford it but the majority of people can. I would disagree that it isnt our responsibility to notice the rest of the world. It is absolutely our responsibility.

I need my money more than they do because it's my money.

 

[Hobgoblin]

I need my money more than they do because it's my money.

Like I said, if you cant afford it, thats understandable. But many people can, but are too self centered. There is no excuse for that.

 

[nimrodson]

I spent the past year as an AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers In Service to America). The way this program works is you dedicate a year of your time to a specific non-profit organization. It can be in your hometown, or anywhere else in the US that supports the VISTA program. The federal government pays a living wage so you can experience how it is working a full-time job right at the poverty level. I enrolled because I needed a job, and needed more experience for my resume.


I worked for an organization that serves low income children and adults with special needs. I soon found out just how much help is needed right in my own backyard. I met people who were truly involved and dedicated to improving my town. Some of my co-workers could've been making bank elsewhere, but chose to stay because they believed in this place. It may not sound like this was much, but I dedicated a whole year of my life to this program, and it was the best thing I ever did. Now I am an active volunteer (not paid, of course), and give money to the United Way in my city.


If you truly want to “change” anything, start at home. It doesn't take much, and every non-profit needs volunteers as much as they need money.

 

[SuperFerret]

Like I said, if you cant afford it, thats understandable. But many people can, but are too self centered. There is no excuse for that.

I can't afford it now, but there was and will be a time that I will, and my "excuse" will remain the same: It's my money.

 

[Hobgoblin]

I can't afford it now, but there was and will be a time that I will, and my "excuse" will remain the same: It's my money.

Thats your right. And its my right to think thats selfish.

 

[UltimateJustin]

Thats your right. And its my right to think thats selfish.

It is selfish. And I give a little when I can give more, but I will probably continue to give the least I can because I think that's better than nothing.

It's only ever been my ambition to be better than nothing.

 

[Hobgoblin]

It is selfish. And I give a little when I can give more, but I will probably continue to give the least I can because I think that's better than nothing.

It's only ever been my ambition to be better than nothing.

The amount you give is your business, but I do think that we need to give.

 

[GhostPoet]

Like I said in the other thread, and countless others: THE EARTH ISN'T A CATASTROPHE.

Warning: I'm not sugar coating the following crap.

As for that food that I threw out yesterday and that dollar bill I sneezed into and then tossed in the trash in regards to all the starving children elsewhere in the world; sucks to be them. I'm sorry that they're in a crappy situation, I really am. It's unfortunate, but the fact of the matter is that there are always going to be places that absolutely suck and places that are great to live in.

You want to make the world a better place? Go ahead, but if you please, could you define "better" for me? Because what you see as "better" may be different than what I see as "better" and both could be different than what others would define it as.

Granted, things will change over time, but as those things change, they'll undoubtedly stay the same. Human society hasn't changed much in the thousands of years that have past, and it likely won't.

Making the world a better place, as far as I'm concerned, involves doing what you can for those you can directly, and not worrying about the affairs of others. Sure, you can be aware of things outside your sphere of influence, but do things for yourself and your people first and foremost.

Children being sold and tossed into prostitution at the ages of 6 and older (younger if you have the money) forced into drug addiction in order to be controlled easier. Brutally murdered if they try to leave. And this happens everyday...especially in places like Thailand.

Are you saying your idea of "good" and mine are different when it comes to setting those children free? Should we just not bother with it since we live in our safe little bubble? Since these things will continue...should we just stop all together?

 

[GhostPoet]

It's like this all the time. People always say "it's the worst it's ever been," then they forget (or it never occurs), it's been much, much worse. It could be better but it can always be better.

Pointing fingers, blaming others, grand-standing how good you are doing and helping others doesn't make a single bit of difference and despite how bad the world looks now, it's in a better place than it was even 50 years ago.

Life will not end, people aren't going to go extinct (and if we did, big deal, the rest of life will go on without us just like it did for a billion years prior). The third world is always going to be the third world compared to the rest and expectations of everyone living some high and wealthy lifestyle will never happen.

But, look at the poorest countries today. They get more aid and help than ever and even if some are still hellholes, they're hellholes that aren't ignored or exploited with blind abandon like they used to be. There is plenty of care and concern in the world and as we move on as a species gradually "third world" will end up like a modern post-industrial country is today whilst whoever's top will still be decades ahead.

Unfortunetly in some instances the aid money get's pocketed by corrupt governments. I know of an organization that has litereally CRIPPLED the sex slave industry in one of thailands most busy cities when it comes to that "industry" And it's becaus people were willing to give time and/or money.

 

[GhostPoet]

I just want to add one last thing.
Yes…things have been bad this way and worse since time nearly began. But things have changed now. We now have the tools they didn’t have to make real change in the world. Technology has changed things on a massive scale. We may live in separate countries, but we have truly become a global community. What effects one country can ultimately effect another. The lives we save today could lead to all sorts of unknown futures. The cure to cancer, a great leader or politician, doctors, new technologies. All because we made a difference in some low-tech city in some far away land few can point to on a map. Technology has changed everything, especially how we can help others. We’re not saving a country or even a city, we’re helping the world.

 

[Q45]

Of course they do. But I also find it hard to believe that they cant give a dollar a day to someone that needs it more than they do. Certainly, not everyone can afford it but the majority of people can. I would disagree that it isnt our responsibility to notice the rest of the world. It is absolutely our responsibility.


You have a right to your opinion.

I gotta say you're one of the handful of people who really seems to get what this thread was all about. Everyone else either doesn't care, thinks it's hopeless, or finds me jerkish for even starting it in the first place.

I never intended to seem conceited or condescending or like I was bragging or whatever is causing such negativity. I just wanted a discussion that might lead to some benefit or encouragement or betterment of some kind.

 

[Q45]

I dont know if I'm making such a difference but I sponsor two children. A girl in Kenya and a boy in India. I also recycle the plastic, metal, glass, paper materials that would otherwise be thrown away from my job. I wrote the President Obama about his seeming to ignore climate change and I got a generic letter back about how his administration take it seriously blah blah blah.

Politicians.

Also, I like the fact that you're actually taking real action, actually doing something directly.

 

[Q45]

It's only ever been my ambition to be better than nothing.

One more thing: That may very well become my sig. Thanks.

I also like what someone once said, something like "yeah you've only got one life to live, but it's one life to live with everybody else"

I'll find the real quote another time.