What do you do to improve the world for the better?

[Lester C.]

I do a lot to improve myself and everyone in my peer group, but nothing to make the world a better place after I'm gone. I was wondering what you guys do, as I need ideas. Being selfless is so not my nature, but that doesn't mean that I don't want to try.

[greatmetropolitan]

I don't know man, I'm a great believer in ripples. You say you don't do much to change the world at large after you're gone, but it sounds like you're trying your best by you and your friends. You help them, change them, and they do the same to someone else in turn. Pay it forward, if you will, without realising it. I don't think anyone will ever understand the true ramifications of the things they do, or even who they are.

As for changing the world ideas? I'm looking for some myself. I give some money to charity every month, but that doesn't feel grand enough for my ego. I try and write, and maybe one day I'll strike gold and write something that matters to people. I'm actually looking into a masters degree in Investigative Journalism, see if I cant bring down some corrupt sons of bitches ;)

There is a website you might be interested in though, www.ipower.ning.com. The point of the website, the organisation even, is Self Development Activism. Its a bunch of people, myself included, who are trying to make the world a better place by making themselves better people. One guy decided to do some serious hands on charity work. After college he sold off all his stuff, and went straight out to third world countries just to help whoever needed him.

The website also spearheaded a campaign to stop big businesses in Europe from monopolising all the best broadband bandwidth. They did it!

Seriously though dude, the very notion that you're even trying to better yourself and do something that will leave the world better than when you found it is already helping you on your way to achieving that. You got me thinking about this stuff again, and you may get others to as well. Ripples in a pond, man.

[TomStillwell]

Whatever I can.

[Arrogantcur]

I do a lot to improve myself and everyone in my peer group, but nothing to make the world a better place after I'm gone. I was wondering what you guys do, as I need ideas. Being selfless is so not my nature, but that doesn't mean that I don't want to try.

Sometimes I give money to a homeless person. Other times I walk right past or tell them "sorry" or whatever, and I'm not proud of those times. I rationalize it by saying that if I gave every homeless person I passed a coin when I'm in Toronto, I'd be all out of money pretty quick (or at least coins). Still, they have it worse than me, particularly at this time of year and in the upcoming winter, so I believe every little bit helps, and I will try to remember to give them something more often in the future.

[DubipR]

I've been going Green as much as possible for the past 8 years.
My garbage is next to nothing as I recycle all my paper, cans, bottles, etc. Whatever veggie and meat waste I turn to local gardners for compost. If I can only get my darn car to be a hybrid or float on gravity discs I'd be even happier.

Also, I've contacted and got approved from the company that owns my building to get recycle bins for the complex; turn that money for the making the complex better with more trees, bushes and flowers.

[Eliseu Gouveia]

I try to get out of the way.

The world goes out of its way to show me that it is not interested in anything I have to offer.

[Shisho]

Make a good 75% of the world sterile. Too many damn people on this ball. Most of them are in my way.

Oh wait, what "do" you do, not what "would" you do. Damn.

Edit: Okay, fine, if you're going to be all kumbaya about it and not let me be cranky, I'll say I try to raise awareness for different charities that mean a lot to me. When I have money, I donate as much as I can.

www.equalitynow.org

[CassandraL]

I plan on publishing a good comic, does that count? Not really sure I have any passionate feelings about 'making the World a better place for other people' because in my experience - people suck.

[AaronJ]

I used to work for Greenpeace. I used to show up at, and participate in many political/social demonstrations. A lot of stuff like that.

These days? Not very much at all. I try to limit my carbon footprint, and I recycle. I don't drive, so that's good.

But otherwise? Nothing. I honestly don't believe that it matters what people do. The world is still doomed beyond our saving it.

[greatmetropolitan]

I used to work for Greenpeace. I used to show up at, and participate in many political/social demonstrations. A lot of stuff like that.

These days? Not very much at all. I try to limit my carbon footprint, and I recycle. I don't drive, so that's good.

But otherwise? Nothing. I honestly don't believe that it matters what people do. The world is still doomed beyond our saving it.

I've always liked you, diana_fan, but the best thing I can do for the world is disagree with you, or at least try to prove you wrong :smile:

[AaronJ]

I've always liked you, diana_fan, but the best thing I can do for the world is disagree with you, or at least try to prove you wrong :smile:

And nothing would make me happier than being proven wrong! :)

[MacQuarrie]

I arm children and teach them to use deadly weapons.

[Dark Galaxy]

I too believe in the "ripples in a pond" theory. And try to do as much of that in everyday life as possible. At this moment in my life, it is all I can really manage.

There are always little things you can do, that really do count. I always say thank you, always let in the car who is trying to get over into my lane, or always hold open the door for someone. I try to smile and make eye contact with everyone I interact with (even though eye contact is really hard for me). Recently I have found myself purposely saying "awesome" a lot. It sounds funny, but it gets a reaction from people. After I call and make a doctor's appointment, and end the call with "That's awesome, thanks!" I sometimes get giggles over the phone, and almost always get smiles in person.

My daughter (who is almost 14) likes to dance crazy, sing loudly, or act silly in public because she loves the idea that a person will go home to their family and have a funny story to tell them about a goofy teenager they saw acting weird today.

I always try to go out of my way for my friends and family. For example, my best friend lives on near Boston, and I live in Oregon. She has a pretty flaky family. Because of that I make a special effort to send gifts to her two little girls on their birthdays, send her and her husband an anniversary card every year, and things like that, since I know her family never will.

I volunteer at my kid's schools a few days a week, trying to take a little of the burden from their teachers. I mostly do busy work...copies, cleaning, helping cut out things for art projects etc. In one of the classrooms I work with the kids and help with whatever they are studying that day...spelling, geography etc.

I obviously give to charity when I can, and give my time when I can, but I am a mom of three, and trying to make these kids into successful and happy human beings is my number one priority. Hopefully if I do a good job with that, they too can create some ripples in the pond someday.

[Mister Blisterfists]

I educate the world on the evils of the Religious Right, Republicans, Mormons, and other perpetrators of hate, bigotry, ignorance, and intolerance.

[MacQuarrie]

My daughter (who is almost 14) likes to dance crazy, sing loudly, or act silly in public because she loves the idea that a person will go home to their family and have a funny story to tell them about a goofy teenager they saw acting weird today.
You should tell her about the local Urban Pranksters Network chapter. You can find it here: Urban Pranksters Network (http://improveverywhere.ning.com). For you, it's probably in Portland.....

[Vakanai]

I don't hurt anyone, and I try to help when asked.
Otherwise, nothing. I just try not to make the world a worse place.
In a hundred years, if I were to have a tombstone, I'd be okay if the inscription read 'Didn't fu*k things up.'

[Sabrinaset]

I do a lot to improve myself and everyone in my peer group, but nothing to make the world a better place after I'm gone. I was wondering what you guys do, as I need ideas. Being selfless is so not my nature, but that doesn't mean that I don't want to try.

I draw CarthToons of Lester which bring joy to everyone on YABS!