The World Through the Eyes of John Brennan
In a previous post, change starts with you, I discuss my ideas on ways to positively impact the world. I surmise that people are good and want to do good, especially now. However complexity gets in the way and renders ones motivation stagnant.
I believe that people are willing to make small changes to their daily lives if they knew the impact it would have. In order for my idea to work, ultimately I need to motivate you.
So I want to pose this question — what would motivate you to be socially responsible this year?
Here are a couple of my answers:
Now it’s your turn… comment below (don’t be shy for those of my friends unfamiliar with blogs).
Code. Design. Explore. is the blog of John Brennan, a web developer/designer, entrepreneur, and avid world traveler. I currently live in Brooklyn, NY.
I am the Co-Founder of OpenAction and lead Product Development. We are a open platform social enterprise that helps organizations engage with donors, share knowledge with other non profits and empower the community to get involved to create positive impact on our planet.
This blog will mostly be around building cool things, although I will surely include my travel experiences when I am abroad. Feel free to subscribe to a specific category if that is only what interests you. And please connect with me. I always enjoy meeting new, interesting people!
Syp Vandy
January 15th, 2009 at 10:20 am
Seeing others do the same helps motivate me because you know there’s at least someone else who supports the same idea. It’s a morale booster and motivates people to continue their good habits.
Gabrielle
January 15th, 2009 at 10:57 am
What motivates me is seeing how the change within myself effects others. Like you, I now use a water bottle. Shortly after my roommates did the same. I also purchased recycle bins and now my roommates and I are avid recyclers. I also started a recycle system at work, which previously had none. I recently visited a recycling plant and learned what we could do. Education about the little things you can do, definitely makes it easier for you to be socially conscious. Also, I have been a vegetarian my whole life and people thought that instantly meant I was obsessed with all natural and organic produce. But the truth was, I never paid too much attention. This year I started purchasing local produce to put money back into where I live. It’s a double bonus, I get great fresh, food and also help out the local farmers and merchants. Sometimes being socially responsible doesn’t have to be on a global level, it can start at home. So for me this year, what motivates me is making my stomping ground a more pleasurable place to live in. After all Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small, group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” So if we each start at home…changing the world will follow.
Utaw
January 16th, 2009 at 12:14 am
A few things I’ve done over the past year are:
1- STOP USING PLASTIC BAGS! Refuse them. This is more important than you can imagine. specially when you live near a marine environment.
Use paper, Canvas or carry the stuff in your pockets.
2- Reusable water bottle. No more plastic water bottles. There is nothing wrong with our drinking water.
3- Reusable stainless steel coffee mug. I try to brew my own coffee or bring my mug to the coffee shop.
4- I had a compost/vermipost until my landlord threw it out. I plan on starting it back up soon.
5- Every Saturday there’s a farmer’s market in my town. I try to go and get vegitables for the week.
Things I want to do this year.
1- Join a CSA (community supported agriculture)
2- Carpool more.
3- Bike more places instead of driving.
4- Eat more organic food.
5- Build an hho hydrogen generator for my car to increase fuel economy and improve emissions
6- Speak up more.
i.e. Ask my favorite restaurants to stop using syrophom take out containers.
7- Don’t buy products that are over packaged. This is proving harder then expected.
The more you get into this stuff, the more you want to do it.
John Brennan
January 17th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
@Syp: I couldn’t agree more.
@Gabrielle: I love that you are leading by example and others are wanting to follow!
@Utaw: There really are an endless amount of things we can all do to improve our lives and the environment around us. Love your goals for 2009! I am interested in learning more about building a compost myself…
Again, great feedback! I think this was a great second pass and I appreciate all your responses (both on my blog and via email). I think I’m almost ready to get started on the next phase…
Ryan
January 19th, 2009 at 9:15 am
Something to consider when it comes to motivating people to change: “Shared responsibility is no responsibility”
It’s a saying I’ve been thinking about a lot lately, especially because of my involvement with my homeowners association, but also because of things going on in our country and in the world. When a group has a shared responsibility, it becomes easy for each individual in the group to think that somebody else will do it — and then nobody does it. (I’m pretty sure there are a lot of sociology studies that support this, but alas, I don’t have my old sociology textbook for solid references and The Google isn’t cooperating this morning.)
So when it comes to motivating people and keeping them motivated, especially on the big problems that you are tackling, you need to figure out a way to make things very personal. Somehow you need to take shared responsibility out of the equation.
Global Patriot
January 21st, 2009 at 1:31 pm
The beauty of social media - blogs, Twitter, StumbleUpon - is that we can connect to like-minded individuals around the world which creates this positive flow of energy and supports all of our efforts to make the world a better place.
My current dedication is to promote Global Patriot, the idea that we can have Patriotism Without Borders, supporting the greater good of the planet.
KyNam Doan
January 29th, 2009 at 11:34 pm
Hey John,
Thought-provoking post. I think the one thing that would make anyone more socially responsible is to find some social cause to care about. Do research, pick a few nonprofits to support, then trace that back to everyday things one can do to support this cause.
It does require an initial time investment, but hopefully those serious about having a daily impact won’t be dissuaded by a few hours down.
KyNam Doan
josh
February 11th, 2009 at 3:29 am
hey.. i randomly came upon your blog searching for images on a project im working on. im making a childrens book using images of cool places combined with my drawings.. i wanted to use a photo you took of the great wall of china.. the book is to promote traveling just like your blog. im poor and dont have any money to pay you for the picture.. and the book wont be out for awhile cuz i got raise some funds in order to print it.. but i will give you credit within the book and send you a copy someday when i finish it.
thanks
josh