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What to do when there's nothing you can do?

hematite43 September 4th, 2023

I think my current bout of depression is related to the realization that there's nothing I can do in the face of the catastrophic factors, namely climate change and AI, that are/will cause misery and suffering for humanity.

But, more fundamental than that, is this belief I have that humanity can and should improve itself, that we should try to be more/better than we are as a species. Obviously that isn't going to happen because human nature doesn't really change, and it's just as easy for humanity to fall back into a dark age after periods of enlightenment. Sometimes we're good and sometimes we're bad. That's just what we are and there's no shame in accepting it. Still, it's very hard for me to let go of the idea that we elevate ourselves as a species.

So, with all of that said, what's the point on caring about anything?

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TawkToMe September 4th, 2023

@hematite43


Once upon a time, there was an old man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach every morning before he began his work. Early one morning, he was walking along the shore after a big storm had passed and found the vast beach littered with starfish as far as the eye could see, stretching in both directions.

Off in the distance, the old man noticed a small boy approaching. As the boy walked, he paused every so often and as he grew closer, the man could see that he was occasionally bending down to pick up an object and throw it into the sea. The boy came closer still and the man called out, “Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?”

The young boy paused, looked up, and replied “Throwing starfish into the ocean. The tide has washed them up onto the beach and they can’t return to the sea by themselves,” the youth replied. “When the sun gets high, they will die, unless I throw them back into the water.”

The old man replied, “But there must be tens of thousands of starfish on this beach. I’m afraid you won’t really be able to make much of a difference.”

The boy bent down, picked up yet another starfish and threw it as far as he could into the ocean. Then he turned, smiled and said, “It made a difference to that one!”

3 replies
SparkyGizmo September 4th, 2023

@TawkTooMe

❤️❤️❤️

Tinywhisper11 September 5th, 2023

@TawkTooMe that's a very inspirational story. Really made me think ❤❤

sunshineJoy240 September 5th, 2023

@TawkTooMe

This was a great read

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TawkToMe September 4th, 2023

@hematite43 Turn off the news. There's a saying in the news industry, "If it bleeds it leads".

They are in the 'butts in seats' business and YOU are the product they are selling to their advertisers.

The world is full of good people who are trying to make their little corner of the world, a little better. Find a way to join them/do the same. That's really all you can do, but, it's worth it.

bestVase7265 September 5th, 2023

I totally understand where you are coming from. I teach a lot on this kind of stuff. There are authors who help reframe these things. Try looking up Mariame Kaba. The middle of this interview is particularly nice: https://towardfreedom.org/story/archives/activism/hope-is-a-discipline/

This is also a good one: https://theconversation.com/how-creativity-can-help-us-cultivate-moral-imagination-101968

The point is that we can make a decision individually to reframe things and the way that we each do that matters.


@hematite43

Tinywhisper11 September 5th, 2023

@hematite43 like tawk to me just said. We have the power to change the world for the better, just one kind deed at a time ❤the world can definitely be a very scary place. Lots of things we can't control. But we don't know the future for sure, so we must live in the now. We are surrounded by beauty and magic everywhere we look. Let's enjoy it while we can ❤

Themaninblackxxx September 8th, 2023

@hematite43

idk you are still alive

Maybe you can do something

GoldenNest2727 September 8th, 2023

In situations where I'm feeling overwhelmed, I try to come up with a game plan that I can use, should the worst-case scenario come to fruition. For instance, if I had your concerns, I might start reading up on how to survive different environmental disasters, like fires and tornados. I would pack a go bag and create an emergency plan with my family, so everyone would know where to meet up, who to contact, etc. I'd look into survival gardening and would actually spend time growing food from the land, so I'd have experience down the road. I might even start a monthly donation to a non-profit that fights against global warming. By doing these things, I'd have a plan for survival in the future, and I'd also feel like I was doing something about it right now. Taking action can help with anxiety.

I'm sorry to hear that you're facing so much stress over these things. It can feel like a dark cloud looming over you at times.