Applaud those trying to save the world one small problem at a time, don’t criticise them for not tackling every issue
- From smaller bite-sized problems, to major global concerns, trying to make a difference is a laudable trait in someone
- Not everyone will agree what to tackle first, but we can all do our bit
In my previous column I condemned the annual Yulin Dog Meat Festival. The festival slaughters up to 100,000 dogs over a 10-day period every year. Most of the animals are stolen pets, and this festival is falsely promoted as a tradition to satisfy a misconception that dog meat is a health tonic.
Response from readers was overwhelmingly supportive to the idea this inhumane practice must be stopped, and the Chinese government should classify dogs as companion animals to give them better protection.
However, some readers expanded the argument and suggested cows, pigs, horses, chickens, and other animals should not be treated any less humanely than dogs and should also be given the same protection.
Some went further still, and accused dog lovers of being hypocritical, because they believe pigs and cows to be smarter than canines, but people seem fine with eating them.
It just goes to show not everyone considers the same things to be urgent or a major problem.
If you were to ask 10 people what they consider to be the most serious issues requiring the world’s urgent attention, you could get 10 different answers.
Most of us want to have a positive impact in what we do, so we can make a difference. Very often, we set out thinking how best to focus our efforts to achieve the most effective results.
We all have different societal issues or problems we care about and want to address. Some people believe the best way to tackle those is to work on the ones that are more solvable, and provide the greatest chance of success. And, because we are all different, the choices we make vary from one to another.
People have different views as to what are the most urgent social issues are, or what animals should be given the best protection. We cannot tell people what problems we need them to address.
The bottom line is that all issues and problems need attention from all of us. There should not be any conventional way to measure or assess who is doing a better job, as long as we are making a positive impact and making improvements, that is already progress.
For example, a health expert might tell you creating a pill to cure diarrhoea could save as many lives, or even more, as achieving world peace.
Others may argue that artificial intelligence will bring more benefits than the downsides people fear. When it comes to it, everyone has their own idea of what is urgent, what is most neglected, and what is solvable. All should be applauded for making the effort to change the world for the better.
When a person uses metal straws to eliminate plastic pollution in the oceans, do not criticise them for consuming meat. To the young people who stand up against racism but are unaware of child abuse, do not criticise them.
To those who fight for better protection for dogs, do not criticise them for not focusing their efforts on other animals. To the freedom activists, feminists, LGBT campaigners, carers, givers, recyclers, and so on, do not dismiss their causes as insignificant or marginal. We should show our appreciation and say “thank you”.
Some of the issues one person is passionate about, might not be the ones other people are trying to change. And that’s OK.
We have to understand it is not everyone’s job to save the world by themselves, which means it is not their job to tackle every problem.
However, it is everyone’s responsibility to show appreciation to those who try to make a difference, no matter how small, because they are doing their part to make the world a better place, in their own way.
So do not criticise or judge, just appreciate and try to understand, and contribute to the betterment of our world.
We just need to try our best in our different ways. We cannot save the world on our own, but together we can change the world for the better.
Luisa Tam is a correspondent at the Post
