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Hong-Min Yoon

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What have you done so far or planned to do in order to change the world?

Everybody dreams of changing the world. However, there are so many, but at the same time so few ways to affect the world. As a student whose future is so vague, I would like to know what you have done, what you are doing, and what you are planning to do to change the world. Also, I hope this question make you reflect on yourself.

Topics: Changing the World reflection
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    Juliette Zahn 50+

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    Sep 10 2012: What a great question Hong-Min. I have been carrying my own bags to the grocery store, carefully separating items before throwing into "trash", "recycle", "compost" baskets. I use glass dishes that I wash and reuse. I use environmentally "green" detergents. I use soy based ink and recycled paper for printing. I buy from companies committed to environmentally healthy products. I buy no canned foods and I buy locally grown produce.
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      Hong-Min Yoon

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      Sep 23 2012: Wow, so basically, you are doing things that are environmentally friendly!
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    Linda Hamilton

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    Sep 10 2012: Thank YOU Hong-Min Upon for joining my site & for the lovely thank you message that you posted. I look forward to connecting with you on the site :)
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      Hong-Min Yoon

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      Sep 23 2012: No problem. My sister and I have been always interested in sending little messages to each other everyday writing about daily life. However, we are currently very busy since we are in the middle of an exam period (Korea is too much focused on getting higher scores. It's all about competing who got the best grade). I will be back on track after it ends. :)
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    Linda Hamilton

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    Sep 5 2012: Thank you for your topic Hong-Min Yoon - I developed a website - http://thanknest.com/ - & I like to think that my website helps in some way to spread kindness around the world :)
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    Juliette Zahn 50+

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    Aug 27 2012: Be the change I wish to experience in this world - at every opportunity - caringly.
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    Steven Hsieh

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    Aug 27 2012: I help people at the Cerritos College

    What makes the place great is not the program, but the people who works together and help each other .

    I will keep lending a hand to people
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      Hong-Min Yoon

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      Sep 23 2012: Good! Steven, can you explain more about how you help them?
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    Feyisayo Anjorin 50+

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    Aug 25 2012: Recently, I personally financed the production of three PSAs to advocate change in Africa.
    I directed two PSAs on teenage pregnancy, and one as a campaign against rape (in Africa most rape victims are raped by the people they are familiar with)

    Like Colleen said in her contribution, I dont have any grand illussions that I can change the world by myself; but I refuse to do the little that I can do.

    Let us try our best to make our society better.
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      David Hamilton 50+

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      Aug 29 2012: I mentioned this in another thread, about improving the conditions of women in Nigeria... but, if you didn't read it, I've always advocated for a specific type of film, especially in the developing world... and, I know that sounds incredibly pompous, but I promise you, that on this issue even America is developing.

      I think we need female Science Fiction heroes. District 9 with a native female lead? I think there is a huge market worldwide for more. The best example I can give thus far is the film "Kill Bill", which was not particularly amazing... fun, but nothing spectacular, until you hear Quentin Tarentino say why he made it.

      I can paraphrase him almost word for word "We have a new culture, where women are empowered as equals, and we're teaching them that they can grow up to be whatever they want, and yet when we look at our film stars, especially in action films, they are still all men. I wanted to make a movie, that a teenage girl could see, and come home thinking "When I grow up, I want to be a bad ass".

      Just something you might want to consider. I think little things like that can make a big difference, though Tarentino may not have been the most eloquent spokesperson.
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        Feyisayo Anjorin 50+

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        Aug 29 2012: Thanks David, my feature film script actually has a woman as the lead.
        I am passionate about women empowerment. My mother was one of the few women who got and education, worked, and drove a car in the early-seventies-post-independence Nigeria; and my family and upbringing (when compared to other families that still cling to the 'Father is master' mentality) made me realize the immense contributions an empowered woman can make to a family and the society.

        I hope I get funding for my film. Films influence cultures and societies more easily and effectively than days of lectures on the emancipation of women.
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    Gerald O'brian 50+

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    Aug 25 2012: I've purchased a lot of stuff from China.
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      Hong-Min Yoon

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      Aug 26 2012: How did it contribute to the change in the world? Is it something that you always wanted to do?
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        Gerald O'brian 50+

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        Aug 26 2012: It's something everyone around me has been doing which has contributed to China's rank in the economical world today. I can't say I've done much more to change the world... shamefully.
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          Hong-Min Yoon

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          Sep 23 2012: I think it will have a pretty big effect on the Chinese economy. You may not be able to effect it directly, but you influenced other people to buy products from China, too.
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    Obey No1kinobe 50+

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    Aug 25 2012: I'm planning on changing just a little part of the world, fixing the grout in the shower.

    You are changing the world in little ways just by existing, eating animals, breathing CO2 out for plants, some methane for the greenhouse, consuming power, interacting with people etc

    I'm not sure everyone is dreaming about changing the world in a profound way.

    Why do you want to change the world and in what way. Do you want to be famous or do something to help make the human condition better? How about some new anti biotics or a cure for disease, or just loving and supporting your family, and bringing up well adjusted kids.
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    Fritzie Reisner 100+

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    Aug 24 2012: I have been an educator at many levels and have had the pleasure of seeing my students do wonderful things for decades after I taught them.
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      Hong-Min Yoon

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      Aug 25 2012: You must have spent a worthwhile time teaching a lot of students!
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    Colleen Steen 500+

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    Aug 24 2012: Hello Hong-Min Yoon....nice to meet you in conversation:>) Some of my other buddies are here already....Muhammad, Chetan and James:>)

    I do not have grand illiusions about changing the world myself, and I certainly want to wholeheartedly contribute to the change in whatever way possible. At the moment, I'm involved with TED, and connecting with people around our world is not only a pleasure, but I truly believe the connections will help facilitate change.

    For the last 10-15 years, I've been involved with local and regional planning and development. As a member of the local and regional planning commissions, I've had the opportunity to contribute to the planning processes which encourage sustainable, environmentally friendly growth. As a permitting board member, I've also had the oppotunity to help guide growth and development.

    For about 10 years, I volunteered in positions with the dept. of corrections, women/childrens shelter, family center...etc., facilitating discussion and support groups and cognitive self change sessions, etc. I guest lectured at the university on the topic of violence and abuse in relationships, and various other topics.

    I've always had a garden and raise my own food, as well as often supply friends and family. In addition to food, I grow lots of herbs, flowers, have water features, etc. The gardens were a show place, featured in 4 publications and on TV. Often, when people visited, it was an opportunity to teach people about gardening and how gardens impact our enviroment.

    That's enough for now my friend....thanks for the question:>)
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    Muhammad Aizat Zainal Alam 30+

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    TED Translator
    Aug 24 2012: Encourage fellow Malaysians on the importance of globalism and promoting the eradication of racism.
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    Chetan Somani

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    Aug 24 2012: Need to start working!!!
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    James Zhang 30+

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    Aug 24 2012: Well, I've been chatting on the ted forums for a while, I've been thinking about a lot of things, and I've been studying various digital technologies and communication skills. Right now, I want to get into education (doesn't necessarily mean teaching), because I think that I can make my biggest impact to the world when I'm involved in education.
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