suffering - the solution?

[ScientificDJ]

it's pretty clear to me there huge numbers people in the world today suffering, whether that be from poverty, sickness, depression, or any other cause. and the thought of every single one of them pains me. so intend to do what i can. so, what should i do?

my original plan was to simply donate a large proportion of my income (which will hopefully be considerable if my life goes to plan) to those who need it. but i've been told that isn't the solution (but i have heard it said that $30 australian dollars can save a child's life. can someone explain that to me while i'm at it?). not only that, but poverty is not the only cause of suffering. so, i'm asking you for suggestions in how i can do my part in saving the world.

 

[sgtshock]

Sadly, I think donating $30 is the most an average Joe can do. Unless you want to research a genetically superior crop that allows gigantic yields, or assasinate a few dozen corrupt warlords and instill a stable democracy to those regions, donating is your best bet. Maybe it doesn't make much of a difference, but it's better than no difference.

 

[El Poncho]

You become famous and do benefit concerts or you set up a small buisness that gives the jobless/homeless a job that gives them money for food, you put a certain percentage of there wage into a savings account that will eventually help them rent a flat or something.

 

[Kriptonite]

Even just find a place where you want to help out and have a bake sale or something little like that. It would be an easy way to start off helping people and you can go from there doing what you feel is needed in that area.

 

[ScientificDJ]

Bullets cost $00.27.
Suffering can't just be solved.
It's part of the human condition.

Mainly due to the fact people cause suffering.As long as humans exist, so will suffering.

So? that doesn't make the value of a life any less. Saving a life is no less important even if there will always be more lives to save. A LIFE IS STILL A LIFE.

Well, since I am a selfish bastard

fuck you, from the depths of my heart. i know most people are like this, but it still makes me want to shoot something. preferably them.

 

[Skeleon]

It's very noble of you to try and help.
Donating money (to the right organizations, mind) can certainly help.
It's important to remember that many people die because of things we take for granted and are easily established there. For example, clean water. There are projects, funded by donations, to construct wells in Africa, preventing many, many deaths from diseases such as Cholera. Hell, evevn Cholera itself wouldn't be such a big deal if the clinics there had the very basics, such as a large amount of ready infusions or ORS to replace the water and electrolytes lost.
As for things to do beyond donations... well. I don't really know what possibilities there are where you live, so I'll just say, why don't you go to a Red Cross branch and get some information there? I know there are projects for volunteers, for example.

 

[LooK iTz Jinjo]

I envy you OP. You actually have the energy to care.

So? that doesn't make the value of a life any less. Saving a life is no less important even if there will always be more lives to save. A LIFE IS STILL A LIFE.

I find nothing wrong with murder until it happens to someone I like.

Harsh but fair.
You can put all the money you like into these organizations, it actually does very little to help, they don't do as much as they say.

 

[Deity1986]

Conquer the world and rule it with an iron (but benevolent) fist.

Naturally life isn't great. The default state of life is that of animals; fighting for survival. It is only by our efforts that we can make it better for ourselves and those around us. If everyone in the world made the effort then we would be in a utopia, if no-one did then we'd probably still be living in caves. You do what you can and hope others do the same.

I'd personally try and do local charity work. Going out and doing things actively speaks a lot louder than sending out a cheque. You send out some cash and you'll benefit one person briefly, if you go out and actively work towards these goals then you may influence others to do the same.

 

[Mr_spamamam]

Its a nice thought mate, but there will never be an end to suffering, as it is the counterpoint of pleasure, and with out a opposite there can be no real pleasure.

Sad as it is i feel i must agree with MaxTheReaper. For as long as there are other human beings alive then some people will continue to suffer, when nuclear war has reduced the planet to molten glass, there will be no more suffering, as there are no more people.

On a more positive note if you want to try and make a differnce to the world around you then try volunteer work, either in your local area or abroad

 

[ScientificDJ]

this might be a radical (and unrealistic, for all i know, that's why i'm asking) idea, but how much money would i need to set up a business? i know a lot of companies exploit poor people, so what if i could give them a decent wage?

 

[ScientificDJ]

Sad as it is i feel i must agree with MaxTheReaper. For as long as there are other human beings alive then some people will continue to suffer

i don't intend to end world suffering (as i know that is impossible), but do intend to do what i can to ease it.

there are many, many community service organisations screaming out for help from volunteers. are you australian and if so which state?

i'm in south west WA. i don't know how available i'll be for volunteer work until after i finish school though. i'm planning on going to africa during my gap year though.

 

[2012 Wont Happen]

You could campaign for world socialism in which everyone in need of work would be given some and, in turn, everyone in need of food or shelter would have their needs met. That could help

 

[olee12343]

Maybe join the Peace Corps? Donating does help somewhat in easing suffering, but it sounds like you REALLY want to help.

Also, it's better not to think of "every single person suffering" as there is no way to completely remove suffering in the world. The best way to deal with it is to do as much as you can possible.

 

[Lordpils]

You won't be able to end suffering in your lifetime, but you can help lessen it. Yes donating money is a good idea, but here's another good idea don't buy diamonds, diamonds fund criminal organizations around the world including terrorists and rebel armies, don't buy cars that need a lot of fossil fuels (or buy a car that uses another form of fuel), because fossil fuels fund dictatorial nations. There's a lot of little things you can do that cause big changes.

 

[bluepilot]

If you really want to help there are a lot of things you can do. Fo example, you can choose to donate money to a cause.

If you do not think this is enough, I am not sure how old you are, but you could think about training for skills that are needed in these impovished countries. Such as doctors, plumbers, irrigators, educators...the list goes on and on.

I am sure that if you do aid work you can help a lot more people on a personal level than just giving up part of your pay check.

I have a volunteer job teaching English to orphans in China which I do once a year for a month. Volunteering costs a lot of money though (and orhpans, just like all children, are little devils sometimes)

If you want to make an even bigger impact, try politics or international law. There is a lot of ground to cover in those areas.

May I ask, what is your life plan?

 

[Rolling Thunder]

Wait till these moronic poor people wake up and realise the only way forward is good old-fashioned capitalism.

 

[Sightless Wisdom]

Find an orginization that you know for a fact can help someone. Donate some money. That's as good as you can do. Humans will always suffer, always die. We're just intelligent animals, we're worth no more than what we eat, what we kill for fun, we're worth nothing.

 

[phi161]

In 1998, the average fundraising cost ratio was 23%, so for every £/$/what ever 23cents/23pence/23what evers are kept by the charity (forgive me I forget where I heard this statistic). For this reason it is better to go the the country yourself. Hell. Go to an African country and visit a school take some simple equipment, second hand text books or even just pencils with you. This would really make a difference to their lives. Not only would it make a difference but would be a great experience and you get to see the country as it really is, not just the tourist locations, and so be more beneficial to your well-being/piece of mind.

 

[ScientificDJ]

May I ask, what is your life plan?

i'm not entirely sure but my most likely direction will be to go to university and study to be an engineer (not sure what sort yet). i'm pretty passionate aout science so something in that are would be good, but i don't really know for sure.

as a side note, i think i may try writing books at some point in my life (most people who read my writing think it is good) and if they sell i reckon i'd donate the money they made.

really i'm just a naive kid who wants to do something but doesn't have a good enough grip on reality yet to know what, but hopefully i'll manage something.

For this reason it is better to go the the country yourself. Hell. Go to an African country and visit a school take some simple equipment, second hand text books or even just pencils with you. This would really make a difference to their lives. Not only would it make a difference but would be a great experience and you get to see the country as it really is, not just the tourist locations, and so be more beneficial to your well-being/piece of mind.

i like that idea

 

[Chris gibson (Gib)]

Good sir i commend you, not in that i thinkly likely, but that in i hope you never loose what you call being naive, i was that once, and wish i was still, if you try to help and fail, then congrates for the attempt and no mark at failing. I hope wish you well and wish i could give ideas, but ultimatly do some research if you like what you hope to donat to then more to you, but do not donate blindly, and also dont be a lazy poor spelling fuck like myself!