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In all those examples, people did not take personal action, they demanded social action. MLK didn't get civil rights passed by just not being racist himself. H

In all those examples, people did not take personal action, they demanded social action. MLK didn't get civil rights passed by just not being racist himself. He did it by demanding legislation. We need to stop pretending we can "inspire" people to do the right thing. It's been failing for 40 years. And at this point it's counter productive.

jacquesm 3y ago
And he got killed for his troubles. It's funny how we at the same time undervalue and overvalue personal agency. Individuals can make a huge effect if they push at the right levers but just sorting your trash or biking to work isn't going to stop climate change, even if lots of people do it, and even if it does help.
myshpa 3y ago
MLK and other activists stood on the shoulders of many who came before them and worked alongside them. Their movements were built on the collective efforts of numerous individuals who shared similar goals. Comparing the civil rights movement to activists advocating for the abolition of animal agriculture due to environmental impacts does come with differences in scale, historical context, and the nature of the issues. The civil rights movement was a response to deeply entrenched systemic injustices affecting a large portion of the population, and it had decades of groundwork laid by various individuals and organizations. The movement toward plant-based diets for environmental and other reasons is relatively newer (nowhere near those 40 years) and addresses a complex issue that's intricately tied to dietary habits, cultural norms, and economic interests. The number of activists advocating for this cause might not be as extensive at this point compared to larger historical movements. However, the power of social and environmental advocacy lies in its potential to grow, evolve, and gain traction over time. Over time, as more people become informed and engaged, the movement can gather momentum and attract broader support. While there might not be as many activists and scientists advocating for the abolition of animal agriculture for environmental reasons, the efforts of those who are engaged can still contribute to shifting perspectives, encouraging dialogue, and paving the way for potential larger-scale changes. > We need to stop pretending we can "inspire" people to do the right thing. It's been failing for 40 years. And at this point it's counter productive. I'd be interested in hearing your opinion on how to solve those systemic issues.

jacquesm 3y ago

And he got killed for his troubles. It's funny how we at the same time undervalue and overvalue personal agency. Individuals can make a huge effect if they push at the right levers but just sorting your trash or biking to work isn't going to stop climate change, even if lots of people do it, and even if it does help.

myshpa 3y ago

MLK and other activists stood on the shoulders of many who came before them and worked alongside them. Their movements were built on the collective efforts of numerous individuals who shared similar goals. Comparing the civil rights movement to activists advocating for the abolition of animal agriculture due to environmental impacts does come with differences in scale, historical context, and the nature of the issues. The civil rights movement was a response to deeply entrenched systemic injustices affecting a large portion of the population, and it had decades of groundwork laid by various individuals and organizations. The movement toward plant-based diets for environmental and other reasons is relatively newer (nowhere near those 40 years) and addresses a complex issue that's intricately tied to dietary habits, cultural norms, and economic interests. The number of activists advocating for this cause might not be as extensive at this point compared to larger historical movements. However, the power of social and environmental advocacy lies in its potential to grow, evolve, and gain traction over time. Over time, as more people become informed and engaged, the movement can gather momentum and attract broader support. While there might not be as many activists and scientists advocating for the abolition of animal agriculture for environmental reasons, the efforts of those who are engaged can still contribute to shifting perspectives, encouraging dialogue, and paving the way for potential larger-scale changes. > We need to stop pretending we can "inspire" people to do the right thing. It's been failing for 40 years. And at this point it's counter productive. I'd be interested in hearing your opinion on how to solve those systemic issues.