Unhappy with the state of the world? What are we doing about it?

Options
2»

Comments

  • know1
    know1 Posts: 6,801
    ajedigecko said:

    The political class is the problem and the people who keep voting for the political class.

    Not liberals
    Not conservatives
    Not republicans
    Not democrats

    The political class is now the oligarchy.

    Agree. The last few elections, I just vote against the incumbent. I seem to be the only one, though.
    The only people we should try to get even with...
    ...are those who've helped us.

    Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
  • grooveme
    grooveme Posts: 353
    brianlux said:

    grooveme said:

    Great post! =D>

    May I add one more suggestion? Courtesy of Joe Strummer (may he RIP). Vote your dollars. So many campaigns are won by the deepest pockets, and sometime (eg when you are a relative liberal living in Texas) it seems your vote doesn't count much. But every dollar you spend can reflect your values. Support companies who align with your values, whatever those are. Personally I support companies that are good to their employees, the environment, and to animals whenever I can.

    I also spend a lot of time writing letters to my reps, a little time making phone calls, and some time signing petitions, fwiw. I also occasionally go to a protest

    Great idea! I have to admit to having spent money on a computer, gasoline, some stereo components and a car (which I plan on getting at least 300,000 miles on and it gets 44-45 MPG- probably my last car) and I know in general there aren't socially or environmentally conscious manufacturers for these things but other than that I can't think of anything we spend money on that comes from major slave companies/environment killing corporations. Our paper products are from recycled sources, our food is local farmer's markets, a local family market and food co-op, and we buy used items from thrift stores. The other thing I try to determine if I need a tool or cook wear or something like that is "How durable is it?" The more durable, the longer lasting, the fewer I will need to purchase. Durable, well made items do cost more up front but almost always cost less in the long run because they don't need to be replaced as frequently. For example, I have a thermal vest made by Patagonia- a wonderfully environmentally/socially conscious company- that was a bit pricey but I doubt I will ever wear it out and if I do manage to live to be 110 and wear it out, Patagonia wants me to sent it back to them to recycle it. Very cool!

    (And just in case you're wondering, we make less than the national average income. Good budgeting and wise spending make these things possible.)

    Nice nod to the great Joe Strummer, by the way!

    Thanks, I sure wish Joe was still around.

    Sounds as though you practice conscious consumerism as much as is possible. It would be hard to do much more. I also try to buy things that last, rather than cheap stuff made in China, but some days it seems like almost everything is made in China. I've started tailoring rather than replacing clothes if I go up or down (yay) a size, buying used goods where possible, etc.

  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,662
    grooveme said:

    brianlux said:

    grooveme said:

    Great post! =D>

    May I add one more suggestion? Courtesy of Joe Strummer (may he RIP). Vote your dollars. So many campaigns are won by the deepest pockets, and sometime (eg when you are a relative liberal living in Texas) it seems your vote doesn't count much. But every dollar you spend can reflect your values. Support companies who align with your values, whatever those are. Personally I support companies that are good to their employees, the environment, and to animals whenever I can.

    I also spend a lot of time writing letters to my reps, a little time making phone calls, and some time signing petitions, fwiw. I also occasionally go to a protest

    Great idea! I have to admit to having spent money on a computer, gasoline, some stereo components and a car (which I plan on getting at least 300,000 miles on and it gets 44-45 MPG- probably my last car) and I know in general there aren't socially or environmentally conscious manufacturers for these things but other than that I can't think of anything we spend money on that comes from major slave companies/environment killing corporations. Our paper products are from recycled sources, our food is local farmer's markets, a local family market and food co-op, and we buy used items from thrift stores. The other thing I try to determine if I need a tool or cook wear or something like that is "How durable is it?" The more durable, the longer lasting, the fewer I will need to purchase. Durable, well made items do cost more up front but almost always cost less in the long run because they don't need to be replaced as frequently. For example, I have a thermal vest made by Patagonia- a wonderfully environmentally/socially conscious company- that was a bit pricey but I doubt I will ever wear it out and if I do manage to live to be 110 and wear it out, Patagonia wants me to sent it back to them to recycle it. Very cool!

    (And just in case you're wondering, we make less than the national average income. Good budgeting and wise spending make these things possible.)

    Nice nod to the great Joe Strummer, by the way!

    Thanks, I sure wish Joe was still around.

    Sounds as though you practice conscious consumerism as much as is possible. It would be hard to do much more. I also try to buy things that last, rather than cheap stuff made in China, but some days it seems like almost everything is made in China. I've started tailoring rather than replacing clothes if I go up or down (yay) a size, buying used goods where possible, etc.

    I do although I suppose there's a limit to that even. Today my feet were killing me at work and I looked down at my REALLY tired pair of shoes and thought, hmmm, any worse and I may as well go bare boot! Hahaha! But, yeah, it's a little way to help.

    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • evilrona
    evilrona Tel Aviv, Israel Posts: 22
    edited August 2014
    Few things that I found myself changing lately in my life, and it makes me feel better:
    I gave up meat, fish, eggs and trying to avoid dairy as much as I can (only thing left is getting rid of coffee in the morning, working on it). I've been vegan before but somehow got back to eating meat. This time, I just came to this point when realized "I don't want to be a part of it".
    So I cook more often, healthy veggie dishes, re-discovering my way in the kitchen, this time without cruelty :)
    I also try to get rid of drinking sodas. works most of the time ;)

    I buy much less than I used to, I used to buy clothing and such way too often. Especially when I traveled abroad. And just woke up one day and decided I wanna get rid of things, so I sold some and donated the rest and it feels so much lighter. I learned to choose quality over quantity.

    And the most important thing is that I started creating things, when I want something I first of all think "can I make it?" if so, I do it. I take sewing classes, I create my own clothes and I love it.

    Small changes, I know it's not something big, I know I can do more. But it is a good start.

    Here is a pic with 2 dresses I sewed and some crochet work.
    image
    Post edited by evilrona on
  • dankind
    dankind Posts: 20,841
    evilrona said:

    traveled a broad

    Best. Typo. Ever.
    :))
    I SAW PEARL JAM
  • evilrona
    evilrona Tel Aviv, Israel Posts: 22
    dankind said:

    evilrona said:

    traveled a broad

    Best. Typo. Ever.
    :))
    hehe :))

  • rr165892
    rr165892 Posts: 5,697
    Giving up the eggs.Man oh man.Id be lost.
    The dairy thing,sugars,soda I'm with you on but lean proteins ,yum.
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,662
    Big changes, evilrona! Excellent!

    Vegan diet is the best for the world we live in and I've done it a few times and eat vegetarian much of the time. Not perfect, but fairly often.
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • evilrona
    evilrona Tel Aviv, Israel Posts: 22
    I believe that we must reduce consuming meat\dairy\eggs. We dont have to stop, it is pretty hard changing your whole eating habits. I know that in my enviornment it's much easier because of the middle eastern nutrition. But for some it can be a bit difficult if one not cooks or has the opportunities. Reducing makes a differance.
    In my previous workplace we used to do a "meatless monday".
  • rr165892
    rr165892 Posts: 5,697
    brianlux said:

    Big changes, evilrona! Excellent!

    Vegan diet is the best for the world we live in and I've done it a few times and eat vegetarian much of the time. Not perfect, but fairly often.

    Was it a veggie bday cake?
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,662
    rr165892 said:

    brianlux said:

    Big changes, evilrona! Excellent!

    Vegan diet is the best for the world we live in and I've done it a few times and eat vegetarian much of the time. Not perfect, but fairly often.

    Was it a veggie bday cake?
    Actually, it was peach cobbler. :-)

    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • chadwick
    chadwick up my ass Posts: 21,157
    vigilante justice... we need more of this; then the world would be a better place
    for poetry through the ceiling. ISBN: 1 4241 8840 7

    "Hear me, my chiefs!
    I am tired; my heart is
    sick and sad. From where
    the sun stands I will fight
    no more forever."
    Chief Joseph - Nez Perce
  • dankind
    dankind Posts: 20,841
    chadwick said:

    vigilante justice... we need more of this; then the world would be a better place

    I told the cyclist in front of me on the Manhattan Bridge today that his rear wheel was wobbly. Does that count?
    I SAW PEARL JAM
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,662
    dankind said:

    chadwick said:

    vigilante justice... we need more of this; then the world would be a better place

    I told the cyclist in front of me on the Manhattan Bridge today that his rear wheel was wobbly. Does that count?
    That sounds more like "just vigilance". I had someone point out to me a blown tire on a trailer I was towing once. Guy might have saved my bacon!

    Good eye, good move, dankind! :-)



    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • rr165892
    rr165892 Posts: 5,697
    dankind said:

    chadwick said:

    vigilante justice... we need more of this; then the world would be a better place

    I told the cyclist in front of me on the Manhattan Bridge today that his rear wheel was wobbly. Does that count?
    Yes,as long as said cyclist wasn't in full blown USPS lance Armstrong like spandex as if midway thru the tour de france.If he was Then you have a responsibility to the rest of us to just let him go.

  • rr165892
    rr165892 Posts: 5,697
    brianlux said:

    rr165892 said:

    brianlux said:

    Big changes, evilrona! Excellent!

    Vegan diet is the best for the world we live in and I've done it a few times and eat vegetarian much of the time. Not perfect, but fairly often.

    Was it a veggie bday cake?
    Actually, it was peach cobbler. :-)

    Damn,Now I'm thinking Pie for breakfast.Thats ok right?
  • grooveme
    grooveme Posts: 353
    evilrona said:

    Few things that I found myself changing lately in my life, and it makes me feel better:
    I gave up meat, fish, eggs and trying to avoid dairy as much as I can (only thing left is getting rid of coffee in the morning, working on it). I've been vegan before but somehow got back to eating meat. This time, I just came to this point when realized "I don't want to be a part of it".
    So I cook more often, healthy veggie dishes, re-discovering my way in the kitchen, this time without cruelty :)
    I also try to get rid of drinking sodas. works most of the time ;)

    I buy much less than I used to, I used to buy clothing and such way too often. Especially when I traveled abroad. And just woke up one day and decided I wanna get rid of things, so I sold some and donated the rest and it feels so much lighter. I learned to choose quality over quantity.

    And the most important thing is that I started creating things, when I want something I first of all think "can I make it?" if so, I do it. I take sewing classes, I create my own clothes and I love it.

    Small changes, I know it's not something big, I know I can do more. But it is a good start.

    Here is a pic with 2 dresses I sewed and some crochet work.
    image

    Nice work on the dresses! I am hopeless with a needle. So much so that when I told my husband I could sew on a button, he was doubtful. I did used to crochet...

    I have been vegetarian for 20 plus years, mostly avoid dairy and eggs too for the last 5 or so. Try to avoid leather, volunteer at the animal shelter, etc. Good for me, the animals, and the environment.
  • rr165892
    rr165892 Posts: 5,697
    edited August 2014
    grooveme said:

    evilrona said:

    Few things that I found myself changing lately in my life, and it makes me feel better:
    I gave up meat, fish, eggs and trying to avoid dairy as much as I can (only thing left is getting rid of coffee in the morning, working on it). I've been vegan before but somehow got back to eating meat. This time, I just came to this point when realized "I don't want to be a part of it".
    So I cook more often, healthy veggie dishes, re-discovering my way in the kitchen, this time without cruelty :)
    I also try to get rid of drinking sodas. works most of the time ;)

    I buy much less than I used to, I used to buy clothing and such way too often. Especially when I traveled abroad. And just woke up one day and decided I wanna get rid of things, so I sold some and donated the rest and it feels so much lighter. I learned to choose quality over quantity.

    And the most important thing is that I started creating things, when I want something I first of all think "can I make it?" if so, I do it. I take sewing classes, I create my own clothes and I love it.

    Small changes, I know it's not something big, I know I can do more. But it is a good start.

    Here is a pic with 2 dresses I sewed and some crochet work.
    image

    Nice work on the dresses! I am hopeless with a needle. So much so that when I told my husband I could sew on a button, he was doubtful. I did used to crochet...

    I have been vegetarian for 20 plus years, mostly avoid dairy and eggs too for the last 5 or so. Try to avoid leather, volunteer at the animal shelter, etc. Good for me, the animals, and the environment.
    Do you find yourself more prone to catching colds and feeling run down without the animal protien?
    I've toyed around with different eating habits and currently just avoid dairy and simple carbs and sugar.6days a week(Pizza on cheat day).But when I gave a raw all plant based diet a spin.I thought it was lacking and tough to get all the grams of protien needed.And just not as yummy.
    I found being an avid gym rat meathead,that the lack of lean animal protien not only made me feel like I had less energy,but my recoup time seemed off.I watched That video Forks over knives and tried some concepts they talked about,and it had Merritt but I can't get past the Big protien defecit
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,662
    Tonight I felt like it's time to revive this thread.  We talk a lot here, but what are we doing?  No one needs to answer that, but maybe we should just think about it.  What are we doing to make a difference?  Did we go to a rally yesterday?  Did we make a call, sign a petition, write a letter, or just write stuff on social media about what's going on in the world? 

    I've done some work but I can always do more.  Anyone else feel the same way?
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • Thoughts_Arrive
    Thoughts_Arrive Melbourne, Australia Posts: 15,165
    I fantasize about a revolution like the French revolution.
    Adelaide 17/11/2009, Melbourne 20/11/2009, Sydney 22/11/2009, Melbourne (Big Day Out Festival) 24/01/2014

Categories