How to be a good global citizen?

[Keroin]

Our world has changed, as has the way we see it and interact in it. For those with (uncensored) access to the internet, television and other means of communication, it's almost impossible to ignore this shift.

Like it or not, we affect each other. Everywhere. Every day we make choices that spread out like global pond ripples.

The products we buy.
The way we treat the environment.
The food we eat.
The politicians we elect.
The causes we support.
The entertainment/travel choices we make.

All of those, and more, have a global impact.

I find myself wondering how to be a good global citizen or if that's even something I can know how to do? This is a new age, the rules are unwritten, the long term consequences of our actions are often unpredictable.

Is it too overwhelming? Will we see people turn from this new awareness, out of frustration, or will the younger generations, (who've grown up in it), embrace it? Do you find yourself wishing that we didn't have to know or care about the wider world?

There has to be something between sitting on the sidelines saying, "meh, whatever", and rushing blindly at windmills. Doesn't there? If so...what does that look like?

 

[eastern sun]

Our world has changed, as has the way we see it and interact in it. For those with (uncensored) access to the internet, television and other means of communication, it's almost impossible to ignore this shift.

Like it or not, we affect each other. Everywhere. Every day we make choices that spread out like global pond ripples.

The products we buy.
The way we treat the environment.
The food we eat.
The politicians we elect.
The causes we support.
The entertainment/travel choices we make.

All of those, and more, have a global impact.

I find myself wondering how to be a good global citizen or if that's even something I can know how to do? This is a new age, the rules are unwritten, the long term consequences of our actions are often unpredictable.

Is it too overwhelming? Will we see people turn from this new awareness, out of frustration, or will the younger generations, (who've grown up in it), embrace it? Do you find yourself wishing that we didn't have to know or care about the wider world?

There has to be something between sitting on the sidelines saying, "meh, whatever", and rushing blindly at windmills. Doesn't there? If so...what does that look like?

I think it starts at the local level. If you're a good citizen locally, engaged and thoughtful, you'll have a positive impact in your community. Your experience will inform your understanding of global events (which are ultimately all local for someone), and any actions you take on a global level will be influenced by the knowledge you've gained when you faced the real complexity of issues in your own backyard.

 

[Keroin]

I think it starts at the local level. If you're a good citizen locally, engaged and thoughtful, you'll have a positive impact in your community. Your experience will inform your understanding of global events (which are ultimately all local for someone), and any actions you take on a global level will be influenced by the knowledge you've gained when you faced the real complexity of issues in your own backyard.

I agree with what you're saying to a point. However, I think it's possible to be a good local citizen and completely miss the larger issues.

For example, there are probably tons of people out there, many good local citizens, who would eat farmed salmon without a second thought. With not even the slightest idea of how salmon farming effects my part of the world, and others. By supporting that industry, the ripple effect is that you do a lot of damage somewhere else.

But then, how do you know about it if it's not something you've been made aware of? And if it's not important to your community, chances are you won't know about it.

I think that's the overwhelming part.

 

[YourCaptor]

I think it's a mistake to think that one can simply sit on the sidelines. That is impossible, every person is part of the global society. The whole mountain man, total self sufficient thing, is a fantasy. Or at least the reality is a constant, torturous struggle.

Life becomes fruitful when we share with others. Share ideas, share things, skills, duties, etc. And I know this does occur on a global level to an extremely high degree.

How to be a good global citizen? ID a goal and work for it. Maybe its not the best way to do it, and maybe it has consequences, but if its better than doing nothing at all, do it. 100% efficiency is impossible. Everything humans do is a convoluted mess. Actually, life, biology is a convoluted rube goldberg machine that makes you face palm just thinking about it. But it works, more or less, and that is how it will always be, unless we become the borg or something.

Big twisted messes usually do have one advantage though. With several different ways to and end, no one disruption can bring down the whole system.

Identify a goal, make it work somehow.

 

[Keroin]

How to be a good global citizen? ID a goal and work for it. Maybe its not the best way to do it, and maybe it has consequences, but if its better than doing nothing at all, do it.

Speaking to this, I once met a marine biologist while I was on a dive boat in Florida. We started talking about the plethora of marine problems and issues and I asked her how, with her very detailed and vast knowledge, she managed to do anything without feeling guilty or being overwhelmed by the consequences of her actions (or inaction). She said that she picked three big issues, set specific parameters ("I will do ______. I won't do _______."), stuck to those and just let all the other shit slide. It was the only way she could stay sane.

I think goals are important.

100% efficiency is impossible. Everything humans do is a convoluted mess. Actually, life, biology is a convoluted rube goldberg machine that makes you face palm just thinking about it. But it works, more or less, and that is how it will always be, unless we become the borg or something.

Sadly true.

 

[DeepGreenEyes]

I do believe it starts locally, and that is where one's greatest opportunities for impact are found. But what is "local" has shifted, as you say. Look at the geographic makeup of the community of this board, and countless others. Distance has diminished, and doors opened. They had the same conversations with the advent of rail travel, and even the bicycle.

I can't live my life conscious of every action and impact, even if I could know what that impact could be. "I am supporting a local store. But they are not union. And I don't know if the Chinese environment was raped for the production of this bolt. Perhaps I could find American stuff at the chain store. And I drove here, and I can't be sure if driving out of my way to Sunoco to buy gas (which eco groups say is the least bad oil company) actually fucked the earth over more than stopping at Exxon, which is closer."

Good Lord, I'm exhausted, and fuck it, better to just let that cabinet door fall off. Who needs doors?

I do try to pick a few issues that mean something to me, and concentrate on those, locally and nationally, and to support politicians through votes, campaign work, speaking up in my community, and with my meager funds that I believe will work generally to move things in the most favorable direction for those goals.

That's probably the way most people do it, I'd think. They give to say, the NRA, and give money to candidates supporting gun rights. And they vote for politicians who bash the UN, because, you know, one world government and no guns and all that.

I participate in online advocacy campaigns through groups I trust (like the League of Conservation Voters) even if I don't know too much about the issue, because it's a tradeoff I'm willing to make. They tell me what they think, and if it sounds reasonable, I send an email, and it might have some kind of small effect, and that small effect may be good, and that's what I'm able to do right now.

That was certainly a long-winded prattle. Damn. Even more tired, and the cabinet door fell off.

 

[Keroin]

I can't live my life conscious of every action and impact, even if I could know what that impact could be. "I am supporting a local store. But they are not union. And I don't know if the Chinese environment was raped for the production of this bolt. Perhaps I could find American stuff at the chain store. And I drove here, and I can't be sure if driving out of my way to Sunoco to buy gas (which eco groups say is the least bad oil company) actually fucked the earth over more than stopping at Exxon, which is closer."

Good Lord, I'm exhausted, and fuck it, better to just let that cabinet door fall off. Who needs doors?

I know, that's it right??

And if you have a couple of kids and a job (or two) and all the other stresses life heaps on you then forget it.

I get indignant sometimes (OK, maybe often) that people don't pay more attention to the causes that *I* think are vitally important, casually forgetting all the causes I am ignorant of or simply don't have the energy for. And who's to know which ones are "best".

But yes, the view has expanded.

That's probably the way most people do it, I'd think. They give to say, the NRA, and give money to candidates supporting gun rights. And they vote for politicians who bash the UN, because, you know, one world government and no guns and all that.

Ha!

I participate in online advocacy campaigns through groups I trust (like the League of Conservation Voters) even if I don't know too much about the issue, because it's a tradeoff I'm willing to make.

Yeah, in that vein, I'm on the avaaz.org mailing list. I don't sign all their petitions, but quite a few. And I've researched enough about them that I know their efforts have actually worked to change policies and such.

 

[eastern sun]

I agree with what you're saying to a point. However, I think it's possible to be a good local citizen and completely miss the larger issues.

For example, there are probably tons of people out there, many good local citizens, who would eat farmed salmon without a second thought. With not even the slightest idea of how salmon farming effects my part of the world, and others. By supporting that industry, the ripple effect is that you do a lot of damage somewhere else.

But then, how do you know about it if it's not something you've been made aware of? And if it's not important to your community, chances are you won't know about it.

I think that's the overwhelming part.

Once the salmon appears in my market, it has become part of the local scene.

If I only eat it once or twice, it's true, I might never know about the effects of salmon farming; but once salmon becomes a staple in my diet, it probably is my responsibility to know something about how it got to my table.

Taking responsibility for the things you bring into your house is one way of staying aware of global issues. If the complexity of the situation is daunting, then maybe it might cause us to restrict our consumption and, frankly, I think that's a good idea.

 

[intothewoods]

I think one question is what can you do that will actually make a difference. So many choices that I might perceive as good for the planet are really more about making me feel better about myself. Like recycling in comparison to just consuming less, for example.

 

[YourCaptor]

I think one question is what can you do that will actually make a difference. So many choices that I might perceive as good for the planet are really more about making me feel better about myself. Like recycling in comparison to just consuming less, for example.

You anti capitalist!! Shakes fist at you.

Capitalism is good for the planet, capitalism is good for everything!!!