https://blue.feedland.org/?river=http://data.feedland.org/blue/feeds/jplummer.xml It's just a feed for now Thu, 29 May 2025 01:35:25 GMT feedland v0.6.43 https://cyber.harvard.edu/rss/rss.html Thu, 29 May 2025 01:35:26 GMT http://rpc.rsscloud.io:5337/pleaseNotify Wed, May 28, 2025 9:35 PM EDT <p>Someone recently complained: &quot;the problem with generic advice like this is that it doesn&#39;t tell one what one can do, at a level commensurate with one&#39;s resources, that will actually be meaningful.&quot; But &#39;meaningful&#39; should not be a primary concern right now.</p> <p>Most individual actions, on their own, are not effective, similar to a single vote. Yet voting matters and groups of people voting matter and change outcomes, assembled out of single votes. You have but one vote, but vote so as to leave no doubt.</p> <p>Similarly, writing your congressperson, as an individual act, may not create a change of heart. But regardless of stripe, groups of people writing their congresspersons matter and help change legislative behavior, assembled out of single letters. So send your letter, leave no doubt as to your position.</p> <p>Protesting, as an individual act, may not create lasting change, but a group of people protesting demonstrates to others that think similarly that they are not alone and can speak out, making a larger protest then possible, and larger protests gain larger results. So protest, be another voice among voices.</p> <p>Not shopping at Target, as an individual act, will scarcely be noticed. But groups of people not shopping at Target has already sent a message to Target management, acknowledged in recent news and in their results and share price. So shop according to your values.</p> <p>Etc. Etc. So perhaps it’s less “find a meaningful action” and more “participate in some action you can do with a like-minded group.” And set instant gratification aside for a while; if we had a magic wand to wave we’d have waved it already.</p> Thu, 29 May 2025 01:35:25 GMT https://blue.feedland.org/?item=789322 https://blue.feedland.org/?item=789322 Someone recently complained: "the problem with generic advice like this is that it doesn't tell one what one can do, at a level commensurate with one's resources, that will actually be meaningful." But 'meaningful' should not be a primary concern right now. Most individual actions, on their own, are not effective, similar to a single vote. Yet voting matters and groups of people voting matter and change outcomes, assembled out of single votes. You have but one vote, but vote so as to leave no doubt. Similarly, writing your congressperson, as an individual act, may not create a change of heart. But regardless of stripe, groups of people writing their congresspersons matter and help change legislative behavior, assembled out of single letters. So send your letter, leave no doubt as to your position. Protesting, as an individual act, may not create lasting change, but a group of people protesting demonstrates to others that think similarly that they are not alone and can speak out, making a larger protest then possible, and larger protests gain larger results. So protest, be another voice among voices. Not shopping at Target, as an individual act, will scarcely be noticed. But groups of people not shopping at Target has already sent a message to Target management, acknowledged in recent news and in their results and share price. So shop according to your values. Etc. Etc. So perhaps it’s less “find a meaningful action” and more “participate in some action you can do with a like-minded group.” And set instant gratification aside for a while; if we had a magic wand to wave we’d have waved it already.