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How can the average person make a difference?
Asked at Massachusetts Street on October 29, 2007
“I’d say it starts with finding the right cause that they feel strongly about and then going out and taking action.”
“They should love their neighbor as themselves.”
“By volunteering for a 501C3 not-for-profit agency or donating to the United Way on a regular basis.”
“It could be something as little as helping someone out, holding the door for someone or just being nice. Small acts of kindness can go a long way.”
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Comments
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snap_pop_no_crackle (anonymous) says…
Copy/pasting immense amounts of drivel on the internet.
blue73harley (anonymous) says…
I'm not average so I can't speak for those who are.
But I suppose handing out free Klondike bars would be a good start.
preebo (anonymous) says…
I believe the saying goes, "one random act of kindness at a time."
jimjones (anonymous) says…
Start a cult
Crossfire (anonymous) says…
When you see someone doing something stupid it is a good idea to smack them in the side of the head and ask, "What the hell's wrong with you?"
btw, jim, "What the hell's wrong with you?"
jonas (anonymous) says…
They can't. The best bet is to find someone who's above average, and have them group together a bunch of average people into a force of numbers. By being the architect, perhaps the initial average person can maintain some special status for awhile, but likely not for very long.
juscin3 (anonymous) says…
Anyone can make a difference. Just have to get the umph (sp?) to do it. Shouldn't take much though.
So blue, we don't have to do anything to get a free klondike today? :)~
*stands in line behind cross to smack jim up side the head.* There, I helped make a difference. :)
happy monday everyone!!
RETICENT_IRREVERENT (Ronaldo Ignacio) says…
Making a difference using integers is pretty simple,,,
..................take the minuend 42
..........remove the subtrahend -12
.......................................____
then you've made a difference =30
Just remember your Latin. Minuend comes from "minuere," which means "to diminish, or reduce." Subtrahend comes from "subtrahere," which means "to take away." The "-end" ending on a verb in Latin says "that which is to be "ed."
I think making a quotient gives people more difficulty.
sourpuss (anonymous) says…
You can't. You're average. Just live your life and enjoy it.
labmonkey (anonymous) says…
blue73harley.....What do you make people do for the Klondike bar?
blue73harley (anonymous) says…
labmonkey - I was speaking of what the theoretical "average" person could do to make a difference. I am far below average...especially in the amount of time that I would have standing around handing out Klondike bars. *sigh*...maybe when I retire I'll just wander around downtown feeding expired parking meters and handing out Klondike bars with the money I save from eating cat food.
Agnostick (anonymous) says…
Smile! :)))
canyon_wren (anonymous) says…
I know I take these questions 'way too seriously, but this one has more answers than it is possible to put in a post. I agree with Jackie, above, as we can make a difference in our own personal world by how we treat those around us. There are many "do-gooders" who embrace global causes who are not the least bit concerned about their neighbors or other people in their own community. I do agree that, if we are so inclined, it is a good idea to pursue a common goal, but not all of us are motivated to spend our energies on national issues. Local efforts do pay off, however, and there is a ripple effect, to some degree.
I also agree with Agnostick that a smile goes a long way--sounds pretty trite, I know, but it does make a difference.
conservativepunker (anonymous) says…
Vote against The Dragon Lady, Hillary Clinton.
snap_pop_no_crackle (anonymous) says…
Having a couple of dead horses to drag into any conversation is good. Calling anyone who doesn't agree with you an idiot is the key to changing people's opinions.
The_Original_Bob (anonymous) says…
By drinking lots of gin and then posting drunken ramblings overnight on the LJ World message board. Snap covered the essentials. Call people names and cut n paste a lot. It also helps if you have a bloated self-image of yourself.
guesswho (anonymous) says…
Well, what if I don't love myself, that way I don't have to love my neighbor. Will that make a difference? Nobody said anything about a positive difference.
coolmarv (anonymous) says…
Making a difference starts by not thinking of yourself.
sunflower_sue (anonymous) says…
by putting their dishies into the dishwasher instead of on top of the dishwasher. (I know, I know! Opening that door is oh so hard!)
mom_of_three (anonymous) says…
LOL, Sue. My husband (who has kitchen duty) would agree!!
mom_of_three (anonymous) says…
But seriously, our family donates to several charities, and every little bit helps.
Even acts of random kindness makes a difference in someone's day.
sigerson (anonymous) says…
Live a life. Lead by example. Change one life. You've made a difference. Repeat as necessary.
Canyon_Wren is right in that it's easier to have an effect locally than to take on the world. That sounds really daunting. Local makes it more bite-sized.
Azure_Attitude (anonymous) says…
By b*itching louder than everyone else!!!!
The old cliche works for me: Think Globally, Act Locally.
I give to good causes, volunteer to work at or at events that benefit charitable groups, boycott Wal-Mart and anything FOX/News Corp (this one is especially hard).
jumpin_catfish (anonymous) says…
invent time travel or help the cubs win a world series
kneejerkreaction (anonymous) says…
Try and be as much like George W. Bush as possible.
schula (anonymous) says…
jumpin catfish: I am with you! I had such high hopes for the Cubs this year. I thought it would finally be "next year". I was rooting for the Rockies and the managed to dissapoint as well.
BABBOY (anonymous) says…
Some confused person stated: "Try and be as much like George W. Bush as possible"
Ahhh, I think you misunderstood the question.
Your answer would be appicable to "How does a very below average person screw up the world?"
H_Lecter (anonymous) says…
Wash your hands
kneejerkreaction (anonymous) says…
lol
GretchenJP (anonymous) says…
I agree with Brian Cordill... find the right cause that you feel strongly about and then go out and take action. Or, at least, attempt to open people's minds. If you can't make a difference, get people talking about the cause, at least open other's eyes to your cause and what you're passionate about.
This has been an Oprah Production.
coolmom (anonymous) says…
i try to do my part and to teach my kids to do theirs but the # 1 thing? Get off your hiney and give a dang!
storm (anonymous) says…
Saying please and thank you, allowing people older than you to go through the door, getting a grocery cart when you're the first one there and handing it over to the parent with a toddler and infant who are next, and other pleasantries...
blackwalnut (anonymous) says…
By throwing the bums out.
One could start locally, with our very own corrupt city commission.
consumer1 (anonymous) says…
okay this has been way too funny and nice for far too long. (Great comments, Blue Harley wins it all today.) It is time to incite the folks in this town who really know what is best for all the rest of us. So, I will say. . . Pave over the "un-natural wet lands so we can reduce fossil fuel waste while at the same time reduce pollution in the 23d street corridor. Please keep in mind I am just saying this to turn this wonderful post into a freakish, bantering, diatribe of go nowhere comments by those who spend their young lives thinking they are saving the world. Let's call it a science experiment. NOw lets just sit back and watch this post get ugly.
JJE007 (anonymous) says…
After drying your hands in the restroom, use the same paper towel to dry the paper towel release mechanism and dispense the next towel. Use the same towel to open the door on the way out of the restroom. Do not throw the used paper towel on the ground. If you cannot find a handy receptacle, place it in pocket or purse. Barring that, eat it. Chewing recycled paper is good for removing tartar from the teeth and cleansing the bowels!~)
overplayedhistory (anonymous) says…
Buy an led light bulb. www.plasmaled.com or www.theledlight.com
Never agree to an illegal search even if you have nothing to hide.
compost your poo. Ewwww!
Put a speed bump on your street in the middle of the night.
buy your food from as close to home as possible.
Go get a deer license before a mountain lion eats your kid.
properly ventilate your attic and if you got the dough get a 16 ser central Ac unit.
Don't mow your lawn so fricken short and water less. I know I hate chiggers too.
grow something green in your window and eat it.
Cut down the elm or hackberry tree in your yard burn the wood for heat plant a walnut or oak tree in its place.
grow some food until the new trees take over the sun.
Buy solar powered motion sensor security light from home depot for 80 plus tax.
Just give up the coal plants in western Ks.
artichokeheart (anonymous) says…
One person at a time.