I’m Tired of Trying to Change the World July 12, 2011
Posted by nrhatch in Books & Movies, Humor, Nature, People.trackback
For a concise summary on Climate Change:
It’s Climate Science, Not Rocket Science.
From my perspective, the article reflects and conveys the truth of the mess we’ve made.
That said, I am NOT going to be making any of the radical changes suggested by its author.
Why not? A few reasons:
(1) Most things that we worry about never happen anyway.
For example, an asteroid (like the one that JUST missed us last week) might stop us in our tracks before Climate Change kills us.
(2) I did my part by (a) NOT having children, (b) downsizing, and (c) becoming a vegetarian.
I’ll leave it to carnivores with children, especially those living in McMansions or owning two homes, to figure out how to protect the planet for their offspring and other Greedy Meanies.
(3) I’m tired of trying to change the world. I feel like I’ve been swimming upstream most of my life and the planet is worse off than when I started:
* Bankers are greedy liars and cheats ~ Jail Wall Street Crooks.
* Our food is tainted & abusive practices abound ~ Food, Inc. and King Corn.
* Our news is skewed ~ Good Night, Good Luck.
* Politicians cater to special interests to line their pockets & get re-elected.
* The Military-Industrial Complex is out of control ~ Why We Fight.
Of course, there are positives as well.
Our ship may be sinking but (due to Global Warming) we’re far less likely than the Titanic to run into an errant iceberg.
Quote: We can’t change the world, but we can inspire the world to change.
No rules. Just write!
Related post: It’s Climate Science, Not Rocket Science
Comments
Sorry comments are closed for this entry
Spirit Lights The Way 
That was a cheerful offering sure to help anyone stop worrying! 😉
Exactly! There’s so many things to worry about . . . we’ll never have time to get to them all. 😀
There seems to be so much stuff to worry about but like you say, most of it will never happen and it’s no good worrying about that stuff that might.
“Just live, don’t worry” is my motto!
It’s amazing how many things need fixing. But, hey, isn’t that what we pay politicians big bucks to do . . . solve problems? 😉
Donald Duck’s nephews will save the day!
Huey, Dewey, and Louie will kick it into high gear just in time to save the world from us! 😀
This is the way I look at it. The responsibility for any issues with the environment lies squarely with “us” … and the real problem is that there are just WAY too many of “us” now for the planet to support indefinitely. So, who is “us” anyway? Unfortunately “us” means you and me and everyone else on the face of the Earth. While it is admirable for some to make determined efforts to improve things, there are still way too many who are just as willing to counteract every effort with something destructive. We did as God commanded … we went forth and multiplied! It appears however, that we may have taken that command way too literally …
Yup. The world is fully of people like Greedy Gus & Dishonest Darla ~ people who are willing to lie, cheat, steal, or exploit others in order to make a fast buck, including Investment Bankers, the Waltons (of Walmart fame), televangelists, the CEOs of Exxon-Mobil (and other big businesses), many career politicians, and anyone else who values the almighty dollar above the long-term welfare of the world and its inhabitants.
And, then, of course, we have Harriet the Hog & Piggy Pete ~ people who refuse to reduce, reuse and recycle out of sheer laziness, apathy, or elitism, including people who live in McMansions, own multiple homes, fly around on private jets, or drive gas-guzzling automobiles in an effort to demonstrate their “worth” to the world, or out of a misguided sense of entitlement to consume unnecessary resources just because they have the financial means to do so.
Enough already. We get it. You’re rich.
Just remember that your financial net worth has nothing to do with your moral worth to the world. 😀
So sorry I have been remiss in commenting. When you read my recent three-part post on our family drama, you’ll understand why I appreciate this post of yours. . .I’m tired of trying to hold something together that it is not my job to do!
At last, clarity arrives – at least for me!
No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path. ~ The Buddha
Ironically, I’ve recently been made aware of young people living, teaching and producing a way of life that is all about a belief in making a difference. Different methods, different approaches, different locations. To me, they are the ones who throw back the starfish…I’m sure you’ve heard that little story.
From them, I hear, “Don’t quit five minutes before the miracle.”
Someone got through to young people. Maybe it was you.
I’ve not only heard the story, I’ve written about it.
I’m not “quitting” ~ I plan to remain a child-free vegetarian with a “less is more” approach to life.
But her “radical” solutions didn’t appeal to me. I’ve done enough. “They” can pick up the torch, or not. It’s their future too.
The starfish thrower is one of my favorite stories, Amy! Glad you brought it up! I’ll find the link and send it to Nancy, so maybe some of her readers who haven’t read it will have the chance.
BTW, where have you been? Or is it just me? I’ve missed reading you. . .
We aren’t as lean as we could be, but we are careful about our water consumption, we avoid unnecessary car trips, we sort our trash to recycle what we can, and we certainly don’t live in a mcmansion.
If everyone did little things the impact would be more noticeable. You’ve got a point though….future generations won’t even know what an iceberg is.
Her suggestions included not shopping in grocery stores (at all), not buying anything (at all), not owning a car (at all), quitting our jobs to move to an organic cooperative, etc.
Too extreme for me. I’m not going to sacrifice my happiness today for a future that may never arrive.
When/If our representatives in Washington climb out of the back pockets of lobbyists, maybe I’ll put on my “activist” hat again. Until then . . . I’m going to let the future rest in someone else’s hands and weigh upon someone else’s shoulders.
Let’s just quaff lots of Merlot before the world ends?
Sounds perfect . . . what the world really needs. 😀
Hi Nancy,
I think it was Mighty Mouse, not Huey, Dewey and Louie, who was going to save the day. 🙂
It certainly won’t be our politicians. 🙂
Just each one of us, making our little part of the world a better place in whatever ways we can…maybe it will be just to pass along a smile or kind word. Because we need to be realistic…not many people I know will give up their way of life and stop using their cars or turning on their lights.
Thank you for always stepping up and speaking out!
Wouldn’t it be great to see Mighty Mouse swoop down in his itty bitty cape to “save the day”?
More plausible than looking at the politicians in D.C. right now as saviors. Or super heros.
They don’t even know they are politicians.
They think they’re there to look out for themselves.
I will continue to make my own little corner of the world a happier place, but I’m not going to make any radical sacrifices at this point in my life. It’s someone else’s turn.
This seems a less positive post than usual. Are you okay?
Our thoughts determine our reality. I was humming happily along yesterday . . . until I read the post on Climate Change.
I watched as my happy place evaporated, replaced with a barren and bleak glimpse at the future.
I made a decision that I’m NOT going to let it bother me any more. I’ve done my part. It’s someone else’s turn. Instead of carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders, I shall join Cin in the garden for a glass of Merlot and accept that I cannot change the world . . . until it wants to change. 😀
Well, if it works for you. 🙂
So far, so good. 🙂
If everyone made small, conscious changes then there wouldn’t be a need for anyone to make huge, radical changes.
That’s what I thought as I read through her suggestions.
My carbon imprint is infintessimal compared to most people I know. I’m satisfied I’ve done enough. I’ll leave radical solutions to those who feel they have yet to do “their part.”
This doesn’t sound like you?
Hmm . . . I suppose you’re right. But I think it’s because I’ve decided to make some changes.
I’ve been bombarded by Action Alerts from non-profits lately ~ probably 10-12 a day ~ demonstrating again and again how short sighted our politicians and business leaders are being about the future of this planet.
When I read Sherry’s article, her plea for me to do STILL MORE (when so many are doing NOTHING at all) rubbed me the wrong way. Instead of talking about what she’s done (or plans to do), Sherry asked readers (that she’s never even met) to make radical changes ~ quit their jobs, sell their cars, stop shopping in supermarkets, etc..
It seemed rather “presumptuous” since she doesn’t know what changes they’ve already made, how old they are, what their economic situation is, etc.
Her plea for readers to DO MORE made me consider what I’ve already done vis a vis “my peers.” I decided I’ve already done my fair share.
I’ve been a vegetarian for 14+ years. I don’t have kids so my carbon footprint is tiny compared to people who bring 2, 3, 4 or more kids into the world. I’ve been actively downsizing for 14 years and reduce, reuse and recycle EVERYTHING that I can. My 2000 Civic gets 42 miles to the gallon. Last year, I drove it 700 miles. I rarely go out to eat. I don’t buy stuff that I don’t use or love. Etc.
Even though we’re “on the same side” of the issue, Sherry’s plea for radical change reminded me of how long and hard I’ve worked to “change the world” when others have done NOTHING at all. I decided to stop trying to change anyone but ME.
I’m not “quitting” ~ I plan to remain a child-free vegetarian with a “less is more” approach to life. But I’m not going to sacrifice my happiness today for a future that may never arrive.
When/If our representatives in Washington climb out of the back pockets of lobbyists, maybe I’ll put on my “activist” hat again. Until then . . . I’m going to let the future rest in someone else’s hands and weigh upon someone else’s shoulders.
Aah . . . that’s better. 😎
When it comes to disasterous predictions about environtmental conditions in the future, I have a novel posted in webook titled, “We Citizens Are Good to Eat”. The story concerns a fatally overpopulated future Earth, where all that the people have to eat is each other, and they thank God for every meal.
This is the one I’ve mentioned, that I’m going to be resubmitting for publication, to some hopefully reputable Literary agencies and publishers.
I hope you don’t object to me posting a plug fro my own writing in your blog; but you’ve said “No rules. Just write!”
I don’t mind at all. Feel free to post a link if you want.
Thank you Nancy. The link is http://www.webook.com/project/More-Meat-To-Eat
Another webook friend has suggested that I change the title. I may go back to the original one which was “More Meat to Eat”.
Whatever title you choose . . . best of luck with it, William!
As I have said many times, I have learned the value in worrying, because nothing I worry about ever happens.
Worrying about something is my insurance policy against disaster!
Seriously though, all that has ever been asked of you is what you are able to do. If the world has been on your shoulders, it’s because you willingly took it on and not because it was thrust upon you alone!
We all have a part to play as stewards of this creation. The sad fact that so few recognize their individual responsibilities is indeed a reason for the agonizing frustration that you and many feel over the state of our world.
What you are doing is sufficient. You can hope that your example will be seen and imitated. It’s sort of like my form of “evangelism.” If I’m not seen as one who lives my beliefs, nothing I say will ever matter or make a difference!
Rest assured Nancy – you may not see it, nor ever realiize in this lifetime, your influence on the world around you, but it is there and will be, I guarantee it!
Keep on keeping on! You are a valuable treasure.
Thanks, Paula.
I’m not “quitting” ~ I plan to remain a child-free vegetarian with a “less is more” approach to life. But I’m not going to sacrifice my happiness today for a future that may never arrive.
When/If our representatives in Washington climb out of the back pockets of lobbyists, maybe I’ll put on my “activist” hat again. Until then . . . I’m going to let the future rest in someone else’s hands and weigh upon someone else’s shoulders.
Aah . . . that’s better. 😎
You’ve done your bit now everyone should do theirs! Rest… 🙂
Thanks, E. I am going to rest for a bit . . . I think I need to recharge my batteries.