The newsgroup alt.lifestyle.simplicity has been very active
the last few days with lots of good posts.... Then, someone
jumped in saying individuals don't have much impact in the
world and doing good deeds isn't worth much.
Xavier responded to this person and i responded to Xavier
as follows:
----
Xavier wrote:
>I think that it is important to be supportive to others and to be
>positive. Telling people that what they're doing is bad, or
>insignificant, or not as good as what you are doing is unlikely to be
>helpful in achieving social change.
In a recent interview Jane Goodall said one of the biggest
problems today is that people are apathetic because they feel
helpless and insignificant. This view is mostly caused by
the large organizations, structures, and mass communications.
Polls show that many people are responsible and want to help
but they are not doing anything. This all points towards
empowerment. Supporting others and encouraging them. For me
empowerment begins with small steps. Any action has a impact
and often makes further action easier, but thought without
action does nothing.
You must be the change you wish to see in the world.
-- Mahatma Gandhi
One lesson i learned in the last few years is that a thousand
organizations fighting for change may not create any result,
but one person who changes has an impact. A world of
activists is just a world of fighting activists. Nothing is
changed. A world of people changing is much more powerful.
----
jeff owens, [EMAIL PROTECTED], http://www.xprt.net/~jko
underground house, solar power, self-reliance, edible landscape
eco lifestyle discussion: subscribe ecopath -> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
