What could I or you do in the next 60 minutes to make this world a better place?

Answer 1

What I would do would be considered harsh and insensitive to most. However, what most would consider "better" is good for immediate happiness and "awwwww" sentiment appeal and has no bearing on the long term good of the world as a whole.

If I had the power to remove Bush from office and all those for whom he is a puppet...in just 60 minutes, that would be a good start.

If I had the power to allow the countless people who are clinically brain dead and costing either their families or the government countless millions that could be spent on moving forward with life rather than perpetuating stagnancy, to let nature take its course and allow them to live or die naturally...I would.

If I had the power to eliminate all the 100% (and this number is important) guilty inmates who are serving life or multiple life sentences without chance of parole, and are thus costing the taxpayers millions annually with nothing useful to contribute...I would. Imagine if that money was spent on teachers, libraries, or clean, efficient public transportation instead.

If I could convince the world that conflict will never be eliminated and that pain is part of life, and "that which doesn't kill you makes you stronger" is not a mere cliche...in a mere 60 minutes, I would.

If I could convince the world that we somehow survived as a species for countless millenia without antibacterial wipes, Evian, SUVs, or Dr. Phil...in just 60 minutes, I would.

However, what I consider more important than what *could* you or I do to improve the world we live in is what *will* you or I do to make the world a better place...in the next 60 minutes, in the next day, the next week, year...

Answer 2

Well, at this very moment it's 2:17 a.m. local time, so the options are limited.

Specific things, assuming you were asking this during the daytime:

You could go to the nearest Red Cross station and donate blood.
It takes about an hour; maybe less, maybe more. I generally have only done that about once or twice a year, although really you can do it three or four times a year. I've been doing that every year since 9/11 because I remember news reports that so many people went to donate blood that they had more than they knew what to do with. I remember thinking that the real test of patriotism would be whether people kept it up.

You could write a letter to the municipal or Congressional representative of your choice imploring him or her to take action on an issue that concerns you.
Be sure you're as well-informed on the subject as you can be. Here's an easy way to find your representatives in the House: http://www.house.gov/writerep/ And here's how to find them in the Senate: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
(Of course, I'm assuming you're American here. I'm sorry if this is a mistaken assumption. If you're from the UK: http://www.theyworkforyou.com/ )

You could donate some money to a worthy cause.
Here's a charity navigator: http://www.charitynavigator.org/

In the next sixty seconds rather than minutes, you could note that clicking here gives hungry people food: http://www.thehungersite.com/
The site uses money generated from ad impressions to help pay for food for the hungry and help sick kids get the care they need. It provides a small benefit, but takes next to no effort, so it couldn't hurt, right? (As far as I can tell, it's quite legit: http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/business/a/hunger_site.htm I have all six sites bookmarked and click them often.)

Asking the question was a good way to start making the world a better place. Good question, and there have been several good answers. I hope we get more.

Answer 3

Commit random acts of kindness:

Call someone you know who is lonely - an elderly person in the neighborhood, someone who just lost a loved on, etc.

Be nice to a cashier in a store, even if he or she hasn't said anything to you during the transaction. They're either having a bad day or a bad life.

If you're going through a toll booth, pay for the person behind you too.

Hold the door open for someone.

Drop off food at the local food pantry for the poor.

Signal to another driver that they can cut into traffic ahead of you.

Random acts of kindness do the world good. The recipients feel better and might be nice to the next person they see, and that person might do something nice for the next person they see...

It's alway something small. My husband and I were visiting New Orleans (just before the hurricane) and our hotel called a cab for us. We went outside to wait and a cab pulled right up. We knew it couldn't be our cab, so we waived him on. A few minutes later another cab showed up. The guy got out and asked us if we had called for a cab. My husband told him we had and also told him that there was a cab there when we came out but we figured it couldn't be the cab we had called for and decided it wouldn't be right to call a cab and then have him get there and have no fare to pick up. The cabbie was extremely grateful and a little shocked that we had given him that courtesy. He told us we had made his night. He drove us to our destination, all the while pointing out things of interest and undercharged as when we got to our destination.

People respond to kindness.

Answer 4

Meditate. (Sit relaxed, Focus on breath entering an leaving the nose, until you have your mind's focussed attention. If distracted, simply observe the distraction and mentally put it down). Then consider what is the most important thing in the world for you. You may be able to do something about it immediately; or you may have to do something later; or you may have to meditate some more. OR, just go out and give someone a smile, or a cuddle. One cannot do much in an hour, but conversely something extremely significant can be achieved in minutes. It depends on your homework preparation. Most people rush around keeping busy acting out scripts, so they don't have to think. A lot of harm comes from that! Of course, you could write a few letters to politicians urging them to do something urgently about global warming and climate change, which threatens all life on Earth, including humanity. That's vital, but don't hold your breath.

Answer 5

in the next 60 minutes I will think of something to make this world better. i dont have the right to decide for you, but i think you'll also do the same. good question

Answer 6

Humans are funny creatures. We only act when there is necessity or pressure to act. When we have only 60 minutes to live we are extremely creative and generous in being great people. I'm not offering what I would do, but to the rest of you, think about this. What would you do in your last 60 minutes? and now... live your life like you would, if you only had 60 minutes to live.

Answer 7

Mmm I think contact somebody like your family or a friend you havent talked to in a long time. Either make a call, e-mail write a heart felt letter to them..they'll appreciate it! It can be more than one friend too..60 mins can take awhile. Livejournals and my space isnt very personal. It just tells everyone who uses these mediums what your up to, and isnt the same as getting something from someone who liked to know you cared.

if you dont have anyone, maybe leave a present for your local trash or mailman to let them know you appreciate their hardwork!

Answer 8

For most of us nothing... I'm not a genius but it's taken me a lifetime to establish my philosophy and I seriously doubt a few words here will make any appreciable difference alone . Nothing of worth seems to ever happen over night is the cliche that sums it up .Although every little bit must surely do something for someone. Usually, good thought precedes good action so there you have it in a nutshell; plan for later.

Answer 9

I could drink a few shots of vodka. It wouldn't make the outside world a better place, but the subsequent release of serotonin and endorphins would make the world seem like a better place until I fall asleep.

Answer 10

what a great question....and I feel if we start in our home in our neighborhood that is a great beginning sometimes we think of doing something for someone far away but you know there are people in our cities who need a helping hand.

Clean out your house in all the rooms we all have things not being used that are good things someone else could use....that would help someone who may have lost everything in a fire....etc....

If each one of us did something for one person...think what a difference it would make.

We can still reach out to people in other lands but it's nice to start at home.

Valentines day stands for showing love ..let's all do something that day that counts for making the world a better place for man or animal....
Mama Jazzy Geri