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> you yourself cannot solve, say, climate change Could one person maybe catalyze the solving of climate change though?

skeeter2020 3y ago
They can maybe make an impact... Maybe... but the problem I find is that anyone out front who's not actually "doing" anything beyond "catalyzing" is often viewed by the converts as a messiah and the skeptics as a charlatan. See: Greta Thunberg, Al Gore, etc. If they have a track record of execution in a different field they get a little more credibility, but still lots of derision. Ex: Bill Gates.
roughly 3y ago
In theory, sure, maybe. In practice, there’s a lot more oars than wheels and a lot more of them seem to sit empty for want of people willing to do the work.
coffeefirst 3y ago
Maybe, but most of what I see people doing is doomscrolling and shitposting. It feels like doing something but the primary output is anxiety.
vegetablepotpie 3y ago
Absolutely. Although the most impactful changes need to be done at a large level, there are two things that need to happen locally that one person absolutely can do: 1. Lots of issues within local government related to transportation, buildings, energy (these issues intersect closely with climate change) come up without members from the public saying anything. Having one voice from a normal member of the public (not a lobbyist, not an activist, not a government staff person, not a journalist, not someone paid to be there) gets attention from policy makers, it says people really care and elected officials should act accordingly. 2. There are a lot of groups out there doing work and pushing for policy changes with varying levels of “spice” (spice being how much they try to influence elections and get public attention) these are groups like rotary clubs, environmental voter project, citizens climate lobby, 350.org, Sierra club, sunrise, third act, extinction rebellion, and many more. Some are active in your community. The work of connecting between them and other parts of the community is crucial because coalitions need to be made and that is hard work. If you are involved in a group (company, neighborhood association, hoa, club, trade group, professional organization, any kind of group) that is interested in doing anything on climate, you could be a connector between them and a policy advocacy group. Find ways to work together towards a set of common goals. That’s when outcomes really start to proliferate.

skeeter2020 3y ago

They can maybe make an impact... Maybe... but the problem I find is that anyone out front who's not actually "doing" anything beyond "catalyzing" is often viewed by the converts as a messiah and the skeptics as a charlatan. See: Greta Thunberg, Al Gore, etc. If they have a track record of execution in a different field they get a little more credibility, but still lots of derision. Ex: Bill Gates.

roughly 3y ago

In theory, sure, maybe. In practice, there’s a lot more oars than wheels and a lot more of them seem to sit empty for want of people willing to do the work.

coffeefirst 3y ago

Maybe, but most of what I see people doing is doomscrolling and shitposting. It feels like doing something but the primary output is anxiety.

vegetablepotpie 3y ago

Absolutely. Although the most impactful changes need to be done at a large level, there are two things that need to happen locally that one person absolutely can do: 1. Lots of issues within local government related to transportation, buildings, energy (these issues intersect closely with climate change) come up without members from the public saying anything. Having one voice from a normal member of the public (not a lobbyist, not an activist, not a government staff person, not a journalist, not someone paid to be there) gets attention from policy makers, it says people really care and elected officials should act accordingly. 2. There are a lot of groups out there doing work and pushing for policy changes with varying levels of “spice” (spice being how much they try to influence elections and get public attention) these are groups like rotary clubs, environmental voter project, citizens climate lobby, 350.org, Sierra club, sunrise, third act, extinction rebellion, and many more. Some are active in your community. The work of connecting between them and other parts of the community is crucial because coalitions need to be made and that is hard work. If you are involved in a group (company, neighborhood association, hoa, club, trade group, professional organization, any kind of group) that is interested in doing anything on climate, you could be a connector between them and a policy advocacy group. Find ways to work together towards a set of common goals. That’s when outcomes really start to proliferate.