Are the People who do Nothing to Blame?

I have been doing some thinking recently about various issues. What I've been thinking is that people are generally against things such as child labour, racism, terrorism et cetera, however most people do not actively fight against these things. My question to you is are these people who sit back and do nothing, just as bad as the people doing these atrocities?

For example, a year or so ago, my dad was shopping in a city where there was an EDL (English Defence League) march, for those who don't know the EDL is a group who generally demonstrates against the spread of Islam in England, and is viewed by many as Islamophobic and generally racist. Many people who were against the message that this group were spreading were walking past, not participating, yet not actively objecting to the march. They may have been against the radical messages this group were spreading, however they just carried on about their day as normal. It was not until my dad said some certain words (which I'm probably not allowed to repeat here), that other people started to speak up with their views on the group. So say this group's views started to be implemented in parliament, such as, as they suggest, 'a more realistic and less sanitised view of Islam' to be provided to the public ( I am not sure exactly what they mean by this, probably want to warn people of the 'evils' of Islam or something). Are the people who did nothing to oppose this just as much to blame?

If somebody shops at a store which they know use child workers, on a poor wage, in a sweatshop to make their clothes, are they responsible for the mistreatment of these children? If somebody is against a war happening in another country, yet they do not protest it, are they to blame for this war continuing? If somebody walks past a homeless person on the street, yet does not offer them money, food or a place to stay, are they in part responsible for the poor living conditions of this person?

Also, if you have said yes to any of the above, do you actively oppose the things you believe are wrong? And if not why not?

Thank you for reading

Depends The child labor thing, well to me, if you buy I'd say you are the problem. However there has to be a lot of proof and that point then no one is buying

Homeless person that depends on what started them homeless are they a boozer or a war vet ?

Other countries different problems, a hole way of looking at it, but that's how it is

You do bring up a goint. I think I am included in the people that does nothing. I suppose I am a person who doesnt get involved. The main reason I dont get involved is I dont see how I could influence anything. My isolationist mentality also is another factor in why I dont get involved in issues. I suppose I am just as bad as those who commit these attrocities, but I just feel that it is the role of government and law enforcement to deal with most of the issues you mentioned instead of protesting these issues.

I don't think the people who do nothing are to blame on atrocities occurring, but they are to blame on not preventing them. We live in a society where everything and anything is used to further someone's own selfish and political ideals. We don't work together, we don't converse with each other about issues that matter. What do we do? We avoid. We can't stand up for ourselves or for anyone else. Society has become a joke of the highest order. We NEED to do something about shootings, we need to do something about political correctness and freedom of speech being oppressed and we NEED to work in unison.

We can't expect everything to come our way to go our way. We can't solely rely on miracles, beliefs or ourselves. We need to fix our broken landscape of PC elitist douche bags and disgusting murderers. We can't ignore them, but we will. Society is in shambles. What's a good person that's does nothing and what is a bad person that does something? Neither are good, neither are right. We need change.

I do try and be as helpful and as vocal as I can. Charity donation, internet petition signing, and a lot of comments and opinions I post about what I think is good for our society. Nothing really happens where I live so I can't exactly fight what I believe is wrong, but I can on the internet. I don't exactly do much and I don't exactly do nothing.

^This is basically how I feel (only worded better than I ever could).

Many individuals/ groups of people have influenced change over the years, just look at the women's liberation movement. If people had left it up to the government to deal with these issues, then women may not be in the same position they are today.

I agree, but can you truly be a good person if you do nothing?

I also do this, minus the internet comments, don't do a whole lot of that lol, but I'm hoping to get involved with a socialist movement in my area, also trying to find local volunteering opportunities.

@quinnofthestoneage: That's what I mean though, lot of stories, who's telling the truth ? I've gotten kinda cynical about it sure, I'll admit it. I guess it kinda come with age.

But I'm not a complete ahole so there is that ^-^

About the other countries thing, most people are pissed that the US is policing the world, screwed either way : D

of course I retain the fact I talk out of my booty on most things so I'll just agree with whatever you want <3

@luna_joestar said:

That's true, I guess we have no way of knowing for sure unless we witness these things ourselves

You could never be any kind of ahole <3

Well I'm from the UK, sooo

Eh, I do that too, so probs not the best person to agree with :P

@quinnofthestoneage: *stomps your fish and chips*

@quinnofthestoneage: That is a really good example of a protest that worked. Many protests have succeeded throughout history, but in my head I just cant picture in my head me achieving any results by protesting. There also arent any causes that have me motivated enough to protest. I am confident that if the right officials are elected then change can happen.

@quinnofthestoneage: Technically you can since there is more that goes into being a good person then actually doing something, but I personally don't consider people that can do something but don't do anything very good people.

@luna_joestar: *Pours water over your burger and fries*

@quinnofthestoneage: *swims in them*

You have only to believe, if you wish to acheive. Just because you can't picture change happening, doesn't mean that it won't, plus you'll never know unless you try.

Also, are there actually any officials which would facilitate change in America currently?

This is a fair view

No

@luna_joestar: Pours tea in the water

@quinnofthestoneage: *stinks up pinky*

@quinnofthestoneage: That is a good point. I dont think there are any officials that would cause change.

This is awesome and very well thought out, wasn't expecting such from you, heh heh. Good job nonetheless. :)

As for the thread, I wouldn't blame other people, but I didn't really put much thought into my opinion. So my two cents probably doesn't mean much here.

@luna_joestar: Kinky :P

@quinnofthestoneage: Well that's me

I was kinda speaking in general as to why people wouldn't. I mean I do donations and what not, but just kinda a vague cynicism

@dboyrules2011 said:

Why thank you very much ^-^

Everyone's opinion means something, and thank you for giving yours

The EDL has got to be the stupidest thing ever.

Beata

@spidey_jackson said:

Idk, The BNP and UKIP are pretty bad too

I stopped buy Kit Kats when I heard about the child laborer they use.

@quinnofthestoneage: You're very welcome. :)

Oh well why thank you then. ^_^

@ccraft: Kit Kat uses child labor? I guess I wont be eating any Kit Kats.

@darkdetective27: The people they get their chocolate ingredients from did. But soon they will be switching suppliers.

They're partly to blame I guess. But the entire or actual blame lies with the people committing those crimes or bad things, if that makes sense. The reason that people don't do anything is because they have their own lives to worry about or they don't care. It's not until the crime or bad thing happens in their own backyard that they actually do something. I guess it's just human nature.

No, what happens, happens and can't happen any other way. Time is a fixed circle, we can only play out our parts.

The world runs off self interest. People can say words, but will rarely do anything. They can hold signs but they're nothing but symbols. Unless people have incentives to where it affects them directly they won't do anything. Only a few will.

Dude. We are the parts.

"Evil conquers when good men do nothing."

My question to you is are these people who sit back and do nothing, just as bad as the people doing these atrocities?

Just as bad? IMO no. I do think it why they are not doing anything matters though. For example, if somebody doesn't have the best job in the world, has themselves and children to feed plus bills and/or rent to pay, I don't really blame them for not going out and trying to solve issues such as these and be an activist.

Basically this.

One has to look out for number one - that's our responsibility, not to mention our nature.

Everything else is circumstantial.

Confucious say - Dont do to others what you wouldnt want done to you.

Jesus said - Do for others that which you would want done for you.

Blame everyone! Blame them all! Blame that guy down the street who needs to mow his lawn but doesn't! Blame that woman who lets her kid listen to loud music at 11 o'clock! Blame them all before they think to blame you!

Yeah, Nestle are known to be bad for those things

Yep, you're right, it's human nature, we're a bunch of nimby's

Not a believer in free will I see

So true

Great quote, who is that from?

Does that mean you do blame the people who have the time and resources, yet do not try to solve the issues?

Yes you have to look out for yourself, but don't you have a responsibility for the well being of others too? Imagine if you found yourself without a job, shelter or food for a period of time, wouldn't you wish you had helped to set up a homeless shelter previously? Or donated some money to that guy you are now sitting across from? Or is this just life?

This is a good way to live

Yeah, I'm not saying that I'm not to blame, I believe I am. This whole blog was to try and get people to think, and maybe face up to their responsibilities sooo

Edmund Burke.

@quinnofthestoneage: Not really. I blame the people who are directly responsible. I don't know what word to use, I wouldn't say I blame them as in point my finger at them and say they are the bad guys since they aren't the reason they are happening, but obviously standing aside and pretending it isn't happening isn't the best thing in the world either, but I do understand that not everybody can get involved, be it from a busy schedule, other priorities, or just not knowing how to help.

I do think that those that can help, should try...but there are people out there who just don't give a sh** if they aren't directly affected, unfortunately.

Great thread.

Its a bit complicated, and not to criticize your choice of words, but I think its easier to come at the general idea, by considering peoples apathy more specifically. So rather than whether a person doesn't do anything, but their general attitudes towards action, non action, intent, lack of intent, and the effort, time, willingness behind actions. Often people can retreat into apathy about things that may seem callous to be apathetic about, but their are usually reasons as to why this is. Like a few studies have drawn certain patterns about how peoples attitude to charity and disaster relief donations can change depending on the frequency of such causes/disasters. So lets say there is a big Earthquake in 2005, and millions of people are in distress and they need help, and so the general public sees that and responds charitably, with time, effort and money so on. Lets say a similar Earthquake disaster happens in 2006, after a Tsunami a few weeks earlier in another counter, itself a few weeks after disastrous wildfire in another country… its probable that the 2005 Earthquake barring other variables would receive more charity, care and attention than the 2006 event.

Its a bit similar to how we as individuals have a cap on how emotional invested we are in other individuals, and why say we mourn certain individuals harder than any random individual. Somewhere as well between instances or situations that really motivate or inspire us to action, give us an intense drive or conviction to action, and the inability to cope, extreme lethargy, extreme depression, giving up not just on others but the individual no longer caring about themselves, given up on themselves, is a certain type of apathy that can act as a safety bubble of sorts. A lot of people often need such a safety bubble. Actually depending on how we could define such a thing, everyone always has a sort of safety bubble around themselves. Also this isn't necessary a bad thing. If individuals just started to act as if the worst thing happening at any one time is the thing they should devote themselves to, all the time, they would get burned out very fast and their effectiveness would be hampered unintentionally making them less effective. So balance and knowledge and understanding and efficiency usually help as well as intent. After all good intentions also don''t always lead to good results/outcomes.

Of course in general, I do think that people in general could push themselves a bit more towards being proactive and learning how to overcome their respective and natural tendency towards apathy, foster their empathy, and sympathy, value what they have more and so be more willing to try and make things better for others, and also learn how to deal and cope with how hard that can also be and knowing how to pace and balance themselves. I have a friend I feel bad for, because they are a very charitable person, but they don't live in an area which really requires much volunteering or help. So its not as if she doesn't do anything, just you know, their are limits to our circumstances.

Anyway great thread for discussion and thinking!

I'm one of the people who sit back and watch without lifting a finger unless it affects me which barely anything does lol The gays here in Australia are treated fair enough the muslim are treated as good as they'll get Atheists are burned alive yup nothing needs my help as of right now I may not be the hero the world needs but i'm the hero that won't leave

Just like what SC said, it's complicated. You could say some people aren't doing anything about stuff but there are a lot of people doing tons of shit just for change but sometimes, it's not enough. >_<

What we need to do is unite!!

Congratulations for the first blog Quinny! ^_^

@blade_r said:

Yeah, most people are only concerned with the issues which affect them directly

They have been accused of racism an awful lot, and at the march my dad saw there were racist chants happening. I have also met the head of the EDL for Burnley or Blackburn (I can't remember which) who has said some made completely racist and unacceptable comments to my friends who were listening to Reggae music in a music tent, I won't repeat them (wouldn't be allowed to here anyways), but they were completely out of order.

I was in no way trying to say Islam is evil, apologies if it came across that way.

Aren't the people buying from a shop which they know buy from sweatshop workers part of the supply and demand as well? Also the Chinese government has set down laws meaning workers cannot work long hours and have certain workplace safety requirements etc, these laws do get broken obviously, but they have tried to prevent it.

How do you know it won't do anything?

Wow, you expressed yourself beautifully there ^-^

You also made some great points, thank you :)

@rocketraccoonthingy said:

Just like what SC said, it's complicated. You could say some people aren't doing anything about stuff but there are a lot of people doing tons of shit just for change but sometimes, it's not enough. >_<

What we need to do is unite!!

Congratulations for the first blog Quinny! ^_^

Most things in life are complicated

Thank you ^-^

@quinnofthestoneage: Anytime Quinny! ^_^