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Steve Goetz

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Why do we want to change the world?

Broad answers that spark more debate or pointed responses are appreciated.

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    Pabitra Mukhopadhyay 30+

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    Feb 23 2013: Because we wish to clear the mess we created and leave it in better condition for you son.
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    Mathew Naismith 10+

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    Feb 22 2013: G'day Steve

    You’re a little young to be asking questions like this on this site...joking!!

    Because we are not a very accepting, we always want/desire more than we have & the more we are like this the more conflictive we become & the more conflictive we become the less we like.

    Love
    Mathew
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    Robert Winner 50+

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    Feb 22 2013: Steve, I can only speak for me .... I was raised dirt poor and eventually sent to an orphanage. There are many things I wish to change ... that is not possiable.

    So here is the real deal. I can't change it but I can offer my kids a better deal ... and that is effecting change the only way I know how.
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    W. Ying 10+

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    Feb 22 2013: .
    It is because:

    (1) Our life goal is to keep our DNA alive.
    (2) To reach this goal we pursue happiness, which is the short-time feeling of things (the world) being a-step-better for the life goal.

    Wrong?


    (For INVALID (ineffective) happiness, see the 1st article, points 1-3, 14, at https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=D24D89AE8B1E2E0D&id=D24D89AE8B1E2E0D%21283&sc=documents)
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    Fritzie Reisner 100+

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    Feb 21 2013: Do you want to change the world, Steve? Why or why not?
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      Steve Goetz

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      Feb 22 2013: Change has a very deep and unique meaning to everyone I imagine. Is it an emotional change? Is it a physical change? Is it a technology shift?

      I was born in Bagamoyo, Tanzania and was last there in 1993. Albeit 20 years since my last visit, what I found was content in the simple life. Simple being no running water, no electricity, dirt floors and an abundance of love. Extended experiences like that lead me to say why change? Why isn't that enough? I don't want to change the physical or emotional nature of that world. I would, however, like the rest of the world to find that level of peace and satisfaction so Yes, I'd like to change the world in that way.

  • Random Chance 30+

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    Feb 21 2013: Ever since we humans learned we had opposable thumbs,
    we have fought to get out from under the thumbs of others who seek only to control, oppress, enslave, dominate, tyrannize and kill the majority.

    That is why we want to change the world.
    The majority of people want to live in peace, harmony, safety, contentment with themselves, with those close to them,
    and with the world at large.

    Only our respective leaders do not want any of this.
    They are the ones who work the hardest to keep the world from changing.
    They need to go. Actually, they need to be sent.
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      Fritzie Reisner 100+

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      Feb 21 2013: "The majority of people want to live in peace, harmony, safety, contentment with themselves, with those close to them, and with the world at large."

      I agree entirely with this. The very vast majority.

  • george lockwood 20+

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    Feb 21 2013: All of us?
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    Fritzie Reisner 100+

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    Feb 20 2013: I think empathy and imagination are part of what inspires many people to try to change things. Beyond this I believe humans have an inherent creative urge as well as an interest from our infant days in exploring causes and effects. It is a small step from "what happens if I do this?" to "what do I have to do to make this happen?" and then to try to make something good happen.
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    Kate Blake 50+

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    Feb 20 2013: Hi Steve, welcome to TED!

    I believe humankind has always endeavoured to make the world a better place, its just that we all have very different perceptions of what 'better' means. And that's where the conflicts arise. We don't seem too good at communication so resolving those issues makes our world a more confusing place.

    "self focus causes all the problems of our world.
    Serving others brings joy to our world"

  • greg dahlen 20+

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    Feb 20 2013: Usually I just try to change the environment right around me because there's something I don't like. Like I was getting noise from the loading dock of the supermarket across the street, so I talked many times to the managers and they were able to quiet down.
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