​https://youtu.be/1VR3Av9qfZc
Sometimes we aim to misbehave
Most often, we don’t aim at all
In an intricately interconnected world
Our actions and inactions have meaning
Beyond our circle of friends
Beyond our monkeysphere
Beyond our field of vision
We dance on spider’s silk
Intricately interwoven
Each step sets the strings vibrating
For good or for ill
For ourselves and for those a world away
Myths of violence prime our minds for war
Spinning up from children’s cartoons
To novels and political speeches
Desensitizing, Dehumanizing
One American life is worth
How many Pakistanis?
How many Afghans?
How many?
Chocolate grown by slaves tastes sweet, but not to them
Clothes, Coffee, Rice, Diamonds, Gold
Products of foced labor, by children
So many things it’s hard to know where to start
None of us is pure.
I doubt we can be in a world like this.
Where powerful interests throw their rocks and hide their hands
What can we do?
I’m no expert, but I have a few ideas.
Ironically, the first comes from Ayn Rand: Call evil “evil.”
Don’t give your silent sanction to things you oppose
Don’t give unspoken approval to things that appall you.
The second is simpler, but requires some self discipline
Pick a few things that are products of slavery,
And stop buying them.
Buy more clothes second-hand, if you can.
If you’re 6’7″ like me, that may not be possible.
Find something you can do, even if it’s small.
Only buy chocolate that’s ethically sourced.
Change where your money goes.
The third is simpler yet: spread the word
Sign petitions. Write your congress people
Post to social media.
Get the word out, to people who matter.
Praise President Obama and the responsible legislators of both parties for tightening restrictions
For keeping dozens of slavery products out of the US
Even if you don’t like their other policies
Fourth, if you are a writer or content creator
Be sure that what you create reflects your heart
Every work has a message
Every work shows and tells how it’s world works,
How things get better or worse,
What brings happiness and justice
Money? “Winning” the sexy love interest?
Outwitting a nagging wife?
Killing or beating up the right bad guys?
Every story tells a story… or it wouldn’t be a story.
Pure entertainment doesn’t exist