Very inspiring. I would like to add perhaps the most important role I’ve discovered as an adult: if you want to do good in the world, don’t try to be the best person or even a good person, just don’t be that guy who ruins it for the people doing good, and don’t support Ruiners. There are all kinds of Ruiners—those that shut down promising and important ideas over technicalities, corrupt crooks who won’t let good things succeed unless they get a cut, and of course Nay Sayers. Whenever anyone asks me how to do good in the world, I tell them, there are already people working on it, and unless you’re careful, you might accidentally ruin it for them one day. So start doing your research, identify your ruining habits (pessimism, jealousy, cynicism, zero-sum thinking, greed, a need for fame or moral superiority) and get rid of those before you go off trying to change the world, lest you ruin what you’re trying to accomplish.
Can a person get 100% rid of their ruining habits? Is, say, 85% enough, so they’re not habits anymore but the kind of bouts you can say sorry for and repair?
It reminds me of a quote from Walden about the enduring importance of simple truths:
“Any truth is better than make-believe. Tom Hyde, the tinker, standing on the gallows, was asked if he had any thing to say. 'Tell the tailors,' said he, 'to remember to make a knot in their thread before they take the first stitch.' His companion’s prayer is forgotten.”
So this will be my parting remark when Trump sends me to the gallows:
"Tell the writers to remember to use a font in which the upper-case leter 'I' the lower-case letter 'l' and the numeral 'I' are differentiated."
This is such an interesting take on creating change. The bit about being the ‘second-bravest person’ really hit me—most of us aren’t the whistleblower or the first to stand up, but being the one who has their back? That’s doable and still really important.
I also liked the idea of ‘changing the default.’ It’s one of those things you don’t think about until someone points it out, but it really does shape how people behave without them even realizing it. And coming up with a new word? That’s such a clever way to influence how people talk about and understand an issue.
These feel like ideas that anyone could try, without needing to be in a position of power or make huge sacrifices. It’s inspiring without being overwhelming, which isn’t always easy to pull off.
love this paragraph (and i'm sorry the italics don't transfer to substack comments but i'll capitalize them instead): "But then I think: why do I, uniquely, deserve to be born in good times? Am I the Most Special Boy in the Universe? My ancestors died in famines and plagues, they suffered under evil kings, they got cut down in stupid wars that were fought because some people thought God is LITERALLY a piece of bread and other people thought God is only FIGURATIVELY a piece of bread."
This was the best Substack I’ve read so far, thank you. Encouraging to see such high quality writing shared here.
My personal favorite line is “The internet makes it seem like switchboarding is obsolete, but it’s more important than ever”. I love the irony and accuracy.
Excellent post! It reminds me of Wendell Berry's 1969 essay Think Little. According to him, another item for your list would be: Grow a Garden! You never know how many people you might get to feed with it
I think the entirely opposite view has far more merit.
Do you like it when you are helped, or only when you are doing the helping? When an activated activist is going to do this or that for some well meaning cause, is that helpful? From your example, how does giving money away help anyone? Giving money away fosters an unjust sense of entitlement and encourages people to wait for others to serve them, rather than getting on and doing things for themselves.
If you ask me (and you aren't, I know) I think all the 'helping' is a sort of hybris. Most people seem to think 'the world' needs our help (it doesn't), that humans are killing the earth (they aren't). That those who don't agree with such-and-such slant on reality (environmental/religious/political) need to be helped/'re-educated' until they do. The conceit in this is that humans assume themselves to be gods, capable of improving reality, by re-engineering it.
Instead of helping others, how about each individual helps themselves to doing those things that they believe are right and true, and avoiding those things that are not. Perhaps holding those principles higher than their job!
I'll leave with this quote, from CS Lewis:
Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience. They may be more likely to go to Heaven yet at the same time likelier to make a Hell of earth. This very kindness stings with intolerable insult. To be "cured" against one's will and cured of states which we may not regard as disease is to be put on a level of those who have not yet reached the age of reason or those who never will; to be classed with infants, imbeciles, and domestic animals.
You've nailed an *extremely* important point here!! Adam cited my "Anatomy of an Internet Argument" [1] as an example in this article, and I got here precisely by giving up on "making the world better" and focusing on making *my* world better.
I tried writing about it in a "How I learned to think for myself" [2] long essay where the punchline is everything seemed to get better when I improved myself. I was happier, my family & friends lives was automatically better (because I was easier to be around, I was more helpful). The world is also better by definition, even if I only help myself thrive, because I *am* part of the world. I'm not separate from it. This doesn't conflict with "make the world a better place". If I am benefiting by causing harm to my surroundings, that doesn't feel good (but ALSO it will hurt me long term).
I'll end with a belief I have now: any collective that asks for sacrifice from its member, will be out-competed in the long term by collectives that help its members thrive. The latter is much healthier. I think Adam would agree with this.
Speaking as one of those little people doing an unglamorous government job (licensing group homes for individuals with developmental disabilities), I appreciate being recognized. I find I don't have the energy to do capital-G Good by volunteering or activism or whatever, but I take solace that my job helps people, in a quiet way.
I don’t think it’s necessary for people to “change the world” in order to do good. An underrated way to do good, and the biggest missing item in this list IMO, is to just look around you. There are always people who need your selfless attention. I have often been surprised by the infinite value of helping one person. It also trains our eyes to be receptive. Yes, by all means, if there is a way to do good on a larger scale, let’s do it! But I think the best way is to start from a tiny circle and then expand. That also keeps us in check that we are actually doing good and not posturing. I suspect we are all fallible in that sense.
Agreed! I always think about changing someone else's world for the better instead of going long for changing the world for the better. Hyperlocal action or helping those close to you (and in an age of internet it's not always geographic closeness) is highly impactful and rewarding. And doing so creates stronger ties and bonds with other people making us in the long run better people with more integrity and likely more willing to help the next person.
Very inspiring. I would like to add perhaps the most important role I’ve discovered as an adult: if you want to do good in the world, don’t try to be the best person or even a good person, just don’t be that guy who ruins it for the people doing good, and don’t support Ruiners. There are all kinds of Ruiners—those that shut down promising and important ideas over technicalities, corrupt crooks who won’t let good things succeed unless they get a cut, and of course Nay Sayers. Whenever anyone asks me how to do good in the world, I tell them, there are already people working on it, and unless you’re careful, you might accidentally ruin it for them one day. So start doing your research, identify your ruining habits (pessimism, jealousy, cynicism, zero-sum thinking, greed, a need for fame or moral superiority) and get rid of those before you go off trying to change the world, lest you ruin what you’re trying to accomplish.
Incredibly good advice
Can a person get 100% rid of their ruining habits? Is, say, 85% enough, so they’re not habits anymore but the kind of bouts you can say sorry for and repair?
Absolutely 💯
A wonderful and most inspring post.
It reminds me of a quote from Walden about the enduring importance of simple truths:
“Any truth is better than make-believe. Tom Hyde, the tinker, standing on the gallows, was asked if he had any thing to say. 'Tell the tailors,' said he, 'to remember to make a knot in their thread before they take the first stitch.' His companion’s prayer is forgotten.”
So this will be my parting remark when Trump sends me to the gallows:
"Tell the writers to remember to use a font in which the upper-case leter 'I' the lower-case letter 'l' and the numeral 'I' are differentiated."
This is such an interesting take on creating change. The bit about being the ‘second-bravest person’ really hit me—most of us aren’t the whistleblower or the first to stand up, but being the one who has their back? That’s doable and still really important.
I also liked the idea of ‘changing the default.’ It’s one of those things you don’t think about until someone points it out, but it really does shape how people behave without them even realizing it. And coming up with a new word? That’s such a clever way to influence how people talk about and understand an issue.
These feel like ideas that anyone could try, without needing to be in a position of power or make huge sacrifices. It’s inspiring without being overwhelming, which isn’t always easy to pull off.
Be the change you want to see in the world
I strive to 'vote' with every purchase I make and am always willing to do without. I raised my children without one single roll of paper towels.
As usual, you provide wisdom wrapped in excellent writing and such good, good humor. This slayed me: "constipated altruism."😂 Thanks, Adam!
The solution to "constipated altruism" is a steady diet of moral fiber.
Yes! That's perfect! 😂
dear adam,
great piece as always!
love this paragraph (and i'm sorry the italics don't transfer to substack comments but i'll capitalize them instead): "But then I think: why do I, uniquely, deserve to be born in good times? Am I the Most Special Boy in the Universe? My ancestors died in famines and plagues, they suffered under evil kings, they got cut down in stupid wars that were fought because some people thought God is LITERALLY a piece of bread and other people thought God is only FIGURATIVELY a piece of bread."
thanks for doing what you do!
love
myq
Fabulous post! All great ideas that depend on people doing good instead of seeking status. Love it!
Yes! Substance, rather than image, will save us.
This was the best Substack I’ve read so far, thank you. Encouraging to see such high quality writing shared here.
My personal favorite line is “The internet makes it seem like switchboarding is obsolete, but it’s more important than ever”. I love the irony and accuracy.
Thank you for writing this - really great and inspiring!
Much of it resonates with my idea that people should just make stuff: https://hassytee.substack.com/p/just-make-stuff
Your version is like watching a video in 1080p, while mine was probably 360p, and I'm glad you articulated the central idea so well.
Cheers!
What a wonderful post. A wonderful message, beautifully written. Thank you Adam, again, for being you.
This is SO inspiring. I can’t wait for your book. Thank you….we need this so badly in frightening times.
A book? Yes!!!!!!!!
👀
This is great! Reminds me of the PJ O'Rouke quote “Everybody wants to save the Earth; nobody wants to help Mom do the dishes.”
Another fab post, Adam! I totally relish your mind!
Excellent post! It reminds me of Wendell Berry's 1969 essay Think Little. According to him, another item for your list would be: Grow a Garden! You never know how many people you might get to feed with it
I think the entirely opposite view has far more merit.
Do you like it when you are helped, or only when you are doing the helping? When an activated activist is going to do this or that for some well meaning cause, is that helpful? From your example, how does giving money away help anyone? Giving money away fosters an unjust sense of entitlement and encourages people to wait for others to serve them, rather than getting on and doing things for themselves.
If you ask me (and you aren't, I know) I think all the 'helping' is a sort of hybris. Most people seem to think 'the world' needs our help (it doesn't), that humans are killing the earth (they aren't). That those who don't agree with such-and-such slant on reality (environmental/religious/political) need to be helped/'re-educated' until they do. The conceit in this is that humans assume themselves to be gods, capable of improving reality, by re-engineering it.
Instead of helping others, how about each individual helps themselves to doing those things that they believe are right and true, and avoiding those things that are not. Perhaps holding those principles higher than their job!
I'll leave with this quote, from CS Lewis:
Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience. They may be more likely to go to Heaven yet at the same time likelier to make a Hell of earth. This very kindness stings with intolerable insult. To be "cured" against one's will and cured of states which we may not regard as disease is to be put on a level of those who have not yet reached the age of reason or those who never will; to be classed with infants, imbeciles, and domestic animals.
C.S. Lewis
You've nailed an *extremely* important point here!! Adam cited my "Anatomy of an Internet Argument" [1] as an example in this article, and I got here precisely by giving up on "making the world better" and focusing on making *my* world better.
I tried writing about it in a "How I learned to think for myself" [2] long essay where the punchline is everything seemed to get better when I improved myself. I was happier, my family & friends lives was automatically better (because I was easier to be around, I was more helpful). The world is also better by definition, even if I only help myself thrive, because I *am* part of the world. I'm not separate from it. This doesn't conflict with "make the world a better place". If I am benefiting by causing harm to my surroundings, that doesn't feel good (but ALSO it will hurt me long term).
I'll end with a belief I have now: any collective that asks for sacrifice from its member, will be out-competed in the long term by collectives that help its members thrive. The latter is much healthier. I think Adam would agree with this.
[1] https://defenderofthebasic.substack.com/p/anatomy-of-an-internet-argument
[2] https://defenderofthebasic.substack.com/p/geoffrey-hinton-on-developing-your
Speaking as one of those little people doing an unglamorous government job (licensing group homes for individuals with developmental disabilities), I appreciate being recognized. I find I don't have the energy to do capital-G Good by volunteering or activism or whatever, but I take solace that my job helps people, in a quiet way.
I don’t think it’s necessary for people to “change the world” in order to do good. An underrated way to do good, and the biggest missing item in this list IMO, is to just look around you. There are always people who need your selfless attention. I have often been surprised by the infinite value of helping one person. It also trains our eyes to be receptive. Yes, by all means, if there is a way to do good on a larger scale, let’s do it! But I think the best way is to start from a tiny circle and then expand. That also keeps us in check that we are actually doing good and not posturing. I suspect we are all fallible in that sense.
Agreed! I always think about changing someone else's world for the better instead of going long for changing the world for the better. Hyperlocal action or helping those close to you (and in an age of internet it's not always geographic closeness) is highly impactful and rewarding. And doing so creates stronger ties and bonds with other people making us in the long run better people with more integrity and likely more willing to help the next person.
100% agreed!
Hey, I work just down the street from Northeastern. 👋🏼
Ah! Cool. What do you do there?
BlueHub Capital, a community development financial institution! I'm impact and compliance director.