How much power do individuals have to effect change in the world?

[BEYOND TREASON]

I was thinking what powers does an individual actually have,to effect change in the world...could by changing his/her daily actions..could something take place?

What could he/she do to effect change?

Well they certainly have power over their Money..they can use that to effect change..besides that to be honest i cant think of anything else that a individual has power over...which can be used to effect change in the world,which is so badly needed.

I was going to mention the power of vote...but we all what happened there.

Any ideas?

[politicaholic]

1. Education, volunteering, and philanthropy...

especially during those "non-disaster" times.

Pick one issue and stay with it, don'tstop until it's changed.

Listen to everyone before formulating an opinion and then follow up your answer with action.

Write letters to world leaders on paper. Foreign mail is always opened and read.

Make accountability your #1 priority.

[manic expression]

2. This is the wrong time to ask me this

I feel really powerless right now, but that's just me being in a cliche depression phase...I'll get over it, as I should.

Individuals have all the power. Just as a candle can spark a wildfire, so too can one person impact their surroundings a great deal. The effort of an individual to achieve progress, even if it is temporarily denied, is in itself a triumph of truth. Truth's expression against wrong is a confirmation that there is no way to perpetuate wrong for long, and that there is right in the world.

There is another thing to consider. The person who fights for change does so partially (or primarily) by getting other people to do the same. The most powerful of entities are collective groups of many individuals, all using their potential to seek justice and truth.

Individuals have always changed the world. Even if they are as a flower in early spring that has been the first to bloom, that is not only itself a beautiful and powerful thing, but also an indicator of that which is to surely follow.

Justice is always there in the end, and individuals are the ones who bring it about, regardless.

[Selatius]

3. Alone? Not too much. Collectively? You can shake the world

That's the power of mutual cooperation. There is no power than the power generated when individuals come together to help one another. That's a power all tyrants fear.

[Mz Pip]

4. Not much

unless you're in a position of power. I'm pretty cynical, I know. I know I've made small differences in some people's live, but on a grand scale, nada.

The power of the vote only makes a difference when we have an informed electorate and judging by what I've seen of Congress and the WH I doubt we have that.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[Gregorian]

5. Sadly, timing has a lot to do with it.

Rosa Parks was far from the first Afroamerican to refuse moving.

Truth is a neccesity. Force is probably also needed. It seems that it's always taken force. The "retarders" are very stubborn. Whether it's slavery, voting, or just obeying the Constitution.

[Boojatta]

6. A handful of patience is worth a bushel of brains

"I can't think of anything else that an individual has power over...which can be used to effect change in the world, which is so badly needed."

You have already reach the limit of what can be done to improve yourself? If you believe that, then it might be safer for everybody if you don't attempt to change the world.

If you believe that there is still room for self-improvement, then keep at it. You'll probably also think of some ideas for improving our world. Just be patient with yourself.

[BEYOND TREASON]

7. World cant wait!

In my opinion if all usa citizens or even 50% went on strike (not possible) for about 1-3 weeks..im sure you would see a change! thats what we need...but it wont happen.

[Boojatta]

8. World can't wait --> Could I get your source for that information?

[BEYOND TREASON]

10. Thats the website

http://www.worldcantwait.net/

Theyre doing a great job...but in my opinion its not to change anything unless we as individuals persuade people to do a national strike..until the leaders stepdown...it may take upto 3 weeks or even longer but as an individual i believe it will work.

[manic expression]

11. What is that supposed to mean

It is basically an assertion. It could also be taken to mean different things.

"I cannot wait for dinner" Has some necessity to it, whereas....

"I cannot wait for Christmas" has no necessity, only desire.

Furthermore, the poster did not specify what the world could not wait for.

[porphyrian]

9. We are both all-powerful and utterly insignificant.

In some ways, like when compared to the entire universe, we have no significant power at all. At the same time, we are the only ones who can be us, who can act as us, during our pitifully-brief stay in this continuum, and even the least of those actions entirely change the universe in ways that no one else can, as you are the only you. Also, because of our general ignorance of the universe and our fleeting lifespans, we are largely unaware of how our actions affect the universe, especially on a larger scale. How many artists starved during their lifetimes, yet are considered the most important and influential today?

Be the change.

[Squatch]

12. 19 people at the hands of airliners changed the world in a big

albeit negative, way.

[MazeRat7]

13. Its called the "Butterfly Effect" even the smallest action causes change

here is the wiki link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butterfly_effect

MZr7

[AndyTiedye]

14. Cindy Sheehan Seems to be Making a Go At It