Genuinely, I think that if l have the power to ruin someone's day by being an utter asshole, I can also make someone's day if I'm kind (especially if they weren't expecting it or were having a rough day—though whether I fill those two conditions is harder to know for quick interactions between strangers). I might not change the world, but I do still have the power to affect others, and I can try to use it for good.
And the state of the world seems like 'enough' to you right now? It's not the acts of kindness I have issue with it's the assertion that that's all that's needed.
Maybe smalls acts are not all that's needed, but the impact of spreading love through small acts should not be underestimated. Direct action also does not end wars. It is impossible to affect "the state of the world". I am convinced the small acts matter are a lot more than getting demotivated to do anything because it's all useless in the greater scheme of things. Small acts get shit done and they do add up to contribute to a better world, thinking about the greater scheme and the "state of the world" (whatever that means) does not.
I literally never said don't do the small acts, I think they're great. I think the meme stating that doing just small acts is 'enough' is fucking stupid, of you really want to get into it. Yes absolutely small acts of kindness are amazing and need to be performed far more often. But patting yourself on the back because you held a door for someone or helped an old lady carry her groceries and thinking to yourself 'i made a difference, now I don't have to worry or think about anything else' is a fucking toxic mentality. I wasn't gonna get this deep on this post but you pushed me. Small acts of kindness are absolutely essentially but they are definitively, 100% not ENOUGH.
I think the belief that small acts don't make enough of a difference is toxic. It causes pessimism and demotivation and that is the last thing we need.
Never mind man, this is an annoying semantic discussion. I think we both mean well and want to make the world a better place.
16 Comments
worhui@lemmy.world · 9 pts · 116d
Hey nice memes audience,
You’re doing great with what you have.
Emotional_Series7814@piefed.zip · 5 pts · 115d
Genuinely, I think that if l have the power to ruin someone's day by being an utter asshole, I can also make someone's day if I'm kind (especially if they weren't expecting it or were having a rough day—though whether I fill those two conditions is harder to know for quick interactions between strangers). I might not change the world, but I do still have the power to affect others, and I can try to use it for good.
cockmushroom@reddthat.com · 3 pts · 116d
Enough for what?
bryophile@lemmy.zip · 5 pts · 115d
To change the world
emeralddawn45@discuss.tchncs.de · -2 pts · 114d
Hasnt done much yet. Unfortunately for every small kind act you do there's someone out there with more power and influence doing a thousand evil ones.
bryophile@lemmy.zip · 4 pts · 114d
Hasn't done much yet? How do you think the world would be without small acts of kindness?
emeralddawn45@discuss.tchncs.de · -1 pts · 114d
And the state of the world seems like 'enough' to you right now? It's not the acts of kindness I have issue with it's the assertion that that's all that's needed.
bryophile@lemmy.zip · 2 pts · 114d
This is your argument in my mind:
"Let's help this old lady cross the street."
Sees the war in Gaza
"Well that was useless helping the old lady."
?
Maybe smalls acts are not all that's needed, but the impact of spreading love through small acts should not be underestimated. Direct action also does not end wars. It is impossible to affect "the state of the world". I am convinced the small acts matter are a lot more than getting demotivated to do anything because it's all useless in the greater scheme of things. Small acts get shit done and they do add up to contribute to a better world, thinking about the greater scheme and the "state of the world" (whatever that means) does not.
emeralddawn45@discuss.tchncs.de · -1 pts · 113d
I literally never said don't do the small acts, I think they're great. I think the meme stating that doing just small acts is 'enough' is fucking stupid, of you really want to get into it. Yes absolutely small acts of kindness are amazing and need to be performed far more often. But patting yourself on the back because you held a door for someone or helped an old lady carry her groceries and thinking to yourself 'i made a difference, now I don't have to worry or think about anything else' is a fucking toxic mentality. I wasn't gonna get this deep on this post but you pushed me. Small acts of kindness are absolutely essentially but they are definitively, 100% not ENOUGH.
bryophile@lemmy.zip · 1 pts · 113d
I think the belief that small acts don't make enough of a difference is toxic. It causes pessimism and demotivation and that is the last thing we need.
Never mind man, this is an annoying semantic discussion. I think we both mean well and want to make the world a better place.
lath@piefed.social · 2 pts · 116d
To feel like you were here.
CubitOom@infosec.pub · 3 pts · 116d
It's a start.
Linktank@lemmy.today · 3 pts · 115d
LadyButterfly@reddthat.com · 2 pts · 115d
Thanks mate no politics here please like to keep things wholesome
Linktank@lemmy.today · -1 pts · 114d
Weirdly fascist for non political, controlling who can say what.
anomnom@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 114d
The paradox of tolerance requires it. Sadly.
Linktank@lemmy.today · 1 pts · 114d
Doesn't really apply. Not like I was spouting hate speech.