r/humanism • u/SRD75 • 9h ago
What does the world need?
I see a lot of dissatisation online, people dissatisified with the way the world works.
I asked "what does the world need?" to a futurist friend.
Her answer may seem obvious, and I know the answer has surfaced in culture many times, but I thought some people may like to hear her thoughts from this year.
Here is what she wrote:
The ultimate answer is: Love.
Seems in very short supply everywhere. Led by our power brokers.,
The single greatest reason for mass dissatisfaction, IMHO, is the lack of moral and professional competence by our political and business leaders around the world; people have no other leadership options; the systems we use to establish the status quo are now morally corrupt. The bad guys are in control. (Until we say and act otherwise).
With morally corrupt leadership, the systems have become self fulfilling, continuing the immorality. People do not see any way of breaking the chain, hence dissatisfaction with the status quo.
Rule of thumb: how the leader behaves, so follows those down the hierarchy. Nowadays, the higher up the hierarchy, the greater the lack of morality – in all our previously moral institutions that genuinely cared about the common good: education, governance, justice system, health and welfare.
The single force that needs to change: Greed.
How to switch from Greed to Love is a ginormous leap but quite possible in today’s highly connected and bountiful world.
Aim: everyone to live love to their ability and circumstances. Live kindness, respect, honesty, generosity, cooperativeness, compassion, and positivity. For all people and our planet. Always.
This minute. Tomorrow. Next week.
If we all consciously behaved daily with these values in mind, doing the best we can (being realistic here, we don’t have unlimited options ourselves), the world would instantly be a better more satisfying place to be. Not perfect, we aren’t perfect, but thriving happy functioning societies.
The status quo operates on the premise that Greed is Good, greed leads to wealth which leads to happiness. Having more means being happy. These are lies perpetuated by the hierarchy that requires the majority of people in the world to continue to operate on the belief they are true, keeping the status quo of the Haves getting more and the Have nots getting less relatively.
The only exception I’ve found is with first nations peoples living their cultures around the world. They know less is more. Happiness is feeling good about contributing to a kind, sharing, caring, respectful, diligent, and honourable world.
What can we non-first-nations people do?
First we decide to be Love in our present circumstances. Every little instance adds to the bigger change. Think small. Think easy. Think enjoyment. Think feel good. Love being kind and generous. Love sharing. Love doing kind acts anonymously. (No ego, just feel good about yourself).
Look for opportunities to Do Nice. Eg: Pick up that piece of litter on the footpath and dispose of it properly. Smile and as you walk by them, thank the cleaner sweeping the floor in the shopping mall for doing a good job. Smile and thank the supermarket checkout clerk for stacking your shopping bag well. Smile at every opportunity that is non-threatening to others. Say hi or nod to passersby in your neighbourhood. Be ready to offer assistance, respectfully! to someone who seems struggling .
Note: They may not want your help, and even be insulted by your offer. If so, say :“Great that you don’t need my help, have a wonderful day” or some such positive statement. Do not say “only trying to help” or ”just asking”, or any other comment that is about you & your reaction. Make it a positive encouragement for them.
And then move on, feeling good about offering and being a positive moment in their lives even if they seem miserable and grumpy. We don’t know what pain they live with or expect next. Be the example of positive in all situations. You will feel good even if they choose to feel miserable.
End of speech.
