The big things

[cwoodgold]

What's most important to me is: preventing nuclear war and establishing an international convention against nuclear weapons; preventing global warming; maintaining ecological habitat and biodiversity; the health and wellbeing of all human beings; reducing the gap between the rich and the poor; making decisionmaking more democratic at all levels.

However, I spend most of my time on more personal things: sleeping, eating, exercising, working, spending time with family, cooking, tidying up, fixing my bicycle, looking after my health, resting, relaxing, having fun, etc. Well, it may not be feasible to drastically reduce time spent on these things, but if I do some thinking and identify doable next actions I think I can increase somewhat the time I spend on the big things.

[mcogilvie]

What's most important to me is: preventing nuclear war and establishing an international convention against nuclear weapons; preventing global warming; maintaining ecological habitat and biodiversity; the health and wellbeing of all human beings; reducing the gap between the rich and the poor; making decisionmaking more democratic at all levels.

Many of the issues you identify as most important are ones I teach in two courses, Physics and Society (for non-majors) and Energy and Environmental Physics (for science and engineering majors). I know many fine people who are convinced that their own small efforts have a significant impact, but I am fairly sure that the impact is in fact small, and sometimes the efforts seem ridiculous. For example, our campus has banned bottled water but not soda, juice, and energy drinks. That does increase the profits of the company who provides vending machines on campus, but not much else. Probably the most significant thing you can do this year is to work for the election of candidates whose views most align with yours. You have to realize that these problems are deep, serious and transnational.

[TesTeq]

For example, our campus has banned bottled water but not soda, juice, and energy drinks. That does increase the profits of the company who provides vending machines on campus, but not much else.

Money is the most powerful motivator for the real action.

Probably the most significant thing you can do this year is to work for the election of candidates whose views most align with yours. You have to realize that these problems are deep, serious and transnational.

Money is the most powerful factor influencing the election results.

I admit - I am an avid listener to the No Agenda podcast in the morning.

[enyonam]

Well, it may not be feasible to drastically reduce time spent on these things, but if I do some thinking and identify doable next actions I think I can increase somewhat the time I spend on the big things.

I think that you won't only increase the time you spend on these big things, ... you'll get the right stuff done on those big things. And every little bit helps.Don't forget to link up with your 'tribe' - i.e. the people who want the same thing. Numbers do work.

[CJSullivan]

I think I've heard David say on many occasions "Create World Peace still comes down to 'Call Fred'..."!!! The big things just take a while to break down into their "doable elements," but it can be done! I applaud you for being so clear about your larger intentions!

As others have said, identifying how you can link up your particular skills and strengths in support of your, for lack of a better word, "causes," would be a first step. You say you already spend time taking care of your health, and one of the things that's important to you is the health and wellbeing of all human beings. I would argue that, unless you are a doctor or healer of some sort (and you may be), you don't have a lot of influence over other people's health, but being a model of health yourself is a great way to contribute.

I'd suggest creating a mind map that will allow you to see the connections between (a) what you already do as part of your lifestyle, (b) your interests, (c) people you know, (d) opportunities that may just be showing up, etc. There are probably lots of synergies that an exercise like this might uncover?

My 2 cents...!

[vic_lh]

There are some simple things that one can do in the personal sphere that do not take much effort. For example, regarding environment: conscious consumption.

When a product has too much packaging (too much waste), abandon it in favor of a competitor with more efficient packaging. The sooner more people do that, the sooner the manufacturers will get the message.

This being more conscious about one's consumption choices can be done without even creating a project, just maybe a couple of surf sessions and writing down a checklist of key principles.

[mcogilvie]

There are some simple things that one can do in the personal sphere that do not take much effort. For example, regarding environment: conscious consumption.

When a product has too much packaging (too much waste), abandon it in favor of a competitor with more efficient packaging. The sooner more people do that, the sooner the manufacturers will get the message.

It is often extremely difficult even for well-informed people to make correct judgements in these matters. What criteria should be used for "efficient" packaging? Weight? Volume? Environmental impact? Energy cost? Reusability?

[North]

The big things, I got a few of those (incomplete list follows): curing aging, creating molecular assemblers, creating a superior artificial intelligence, Dyson sphere, technological singularity, colonizing our galaxy (for starters), becoming gods of sorts and turning dead matter everywhere into life and intelligence, reversing entropy before all stars die and eternal darkness descends.

I don't expect my own contribution to be significant, but as long as I crank those widgets and call those Freds I'm doing something.

[CJSullivan]

The big things, I got a few of those

Love your list!

[North]

Love your list!

Thanks. The future is going to be awesome.