What can I do to decrease world suck?

[Declan Roden]

Hello, my name is Declan and I am relatively new to nerdfighteria, and I need help. I need to know how I as an individual can decrease world suck. I am fourteen years old, i live in Australia and I don't have much money, or other resources, but I really want to help decrease world suck. please help me. please give me some suggestions of anything I can do. whether it is something I can do just once or something I can do everyday I really need some ideas.

[David Tiefenthaler]

I probably should avoid processed foods and meat more often, and make a bigger garden.  I think that would help decrease world suck.

[Elissa]

Hi Declan,

Just be kind to people. Smile. You never know, one smile can change a lot for a person. When I was in school, we had people come and talk to us about brain injuries. One speaker's story really stuck with me. He said, every time he went out for a walk, people would stare pointedly ahead, refusing to look at him, as if they were afraid to offend (his accident left him a little misshapen in the forehead area). But the effect was devastating. He said he felt like dying. After a while, it was like he ceased to exist, the vacant stares of the uncomfortable, but most likely well-meaning strangers seemed to reinforce the idea that his existence didn't matter. He told us to smile. Look people in the eyes and acknowledge them. From that day, I have.  I thought about it. I had been in a pretty bad place a few years before, and remembered feeling that same feeling - when people seemed to look through you and it felt like you were nothing. I made the conscious decision to not allow myself to contribute to someone feeling that way if it was in my power to stop it. So I smile. I smile like they're old friends and say 'hello' as if I'm truly happy to see them. Sometimes you'll get someone glare suspiciously back, as if they're wondering what you're up to, but mostly people seem pleased with the attention. And sometimes you get the feeling it's more than that. 

Use your talents - I tutor people, it's a great skill of mine. I'm quite good at helping students to improve their HSC scores (I'm Australian too, you've probably guessed), and helping boost their confidence. Everyone has a talent. Mine's easy to use, but it took a good few years to figure out what they were. Just be the best person you can be, and you'll have already gone a long way to decreasing world suck. Take it from there :) Good luck

[Alix Laya]

Well, according to my religion teacher, you should decrease world suck by watching numerous videos on the Barataria-Terrebone Estuary.  I would not recommend this.

My favorite thing is putting up sticky notes on mirrors that say, "You're beautiful."  In the countless people who will laugh or tear them down or write something over them, there is probably a person who really needs to hear that.

[Nicole Sherman]

I just had to say that I love this idea <3

[Brittany Russell]

Just you being in the world decreases World Suck. People that are made of pure awesome decrease World Suck by just existing. ;)

[Naomi Correa]

Maybe you can find something you love and adapt it to help decrease world suck. That gives you a bit of motivation. For example, if you're an artist, sell your work and give the money to a charity of your choosing. If you're a musician, play at charity events, or just play out on the street to make peoples' day better.

[Jack Copping]

Compliment strangers I do it all the time, not in a creepy or flirty way just if you see something worth complimenting then do it, a lot of the time I don't think people get enough compliments.

[Ollie Abingdon]

Go for a walk around your town and say hi to stangers! I'ts actually quite fun, I'm a shy person so it took me a while to get used to, but it's so nice! It's happened to me a couple of times before, someone I don't know has said hello to me and it put me in a good mood for ages!

[Nina Lego]

Help people out and just be relatively nice to others. Also, look for other nerdfighters and talk to them because it's lonely being the only nerdfighter you know.

[CD]

Feminism, Indigenous Cultures and Australian History

Are three things our country has generally sucked at teaching its youth.  My good lad, you're living in the internet age. You don't have to become a feminist, or join the Tent Embassy,  or even agree with anything you learn (or have learned).   But we could really, really, use some young people teaching their parents about it, and other kids at school.   I don't want to politicise you and make you a commie or anything, you're way too young for that.  I just want you to learn what they should be teaching us and they certainly didn't teach me, and I'm still young myself, trying to find out.

If you don't already know, learn about the history of women's rights in the Australian union movement and not just from an ALP perspective, it's more diverse than that.  If you don't already know, find out who the traditional custodians of your home town are (the name of the tribal group) and attempt to learn the language and culture, and have this mentioned at public events "we acknowledge" statement. It's more than just "PC" crap, it's something that lifts people's spirits, you never know how many indigenous aussies are going to be in that crowd walking just a little bit taller for it, and just how many other aussies were denied this knowledge and want to know.  Same is true of Australian history, it's tied in with both.

Happy schooling.  And, here's another thing.  The world would suck less if you 14 year olds didn't have to worry about the world sucking. So make sure whatever you do, you have fun, live long and prosper -  and not necessarily in monetary terms.

And know that our big red land is full of nerdfighters, it's just that most of us are in denial.

[Slyvester Buchelem]

In 8th grade my choir walked over the the retirement home near our school and sang for them. If you aren't musically inclined you can always play card games or do crafts. It really is so much fun and you can tell they love it. 

[Lauren]

Just make sure to help whoever is in need of it! Don't judge and be willing to offer a smile to anyone, no matter what! Remember that you have the potential to change the world and DFTBA!