As The World Turns

Our world seems to be faced with some dreadful problems and daunting questions. How do we deal with gun violence? How do we deal with global warming? What should we do about Syria? How can we change gross economic inequality? How can we deal with pollution?

The “answers”, so far, have been less than adequate. We protest; we sign petitions; we pass legislation; and worst of all, we decide to bomb other countries.

Legislation is fine, but it isn’t the answer. Talking to people is. If you see people polluting, tell them you don’t approve. If you don’t like gun violence then go and talk to someone who you know who has a gun and try and persuade them to get rid of it. And so on. Talk to people directly and raise these issues with them. Don’t argue, don’t shout. Talk.

People don’t respond to legislation very well. People respond to people.