@ecotrain QOTW 8.4 - We are all free riders somehow - If Not You Then Who? If Not Now Then When?

Thank @ecoTrain for another great question, it is a chance for me to reflect and look into my contributions to the community as a whole.

We often wait until there is a major issue and then start dealing with it, is it just me or human nature?

I am not a psychologist, so I will speak from my personal experience.

I have to admit that I am a procrastinator, it is not something that I am proud of, but it is the first step of overcoming it — acknowledge it, an example of this is this post, I had put it off until the last day of the contest, LOL.

But is it the nature of the rest of humanity?

In my opinion, when it comes to changes, there are three aspects we need to consider:

• Leadership
• Political system
• Individual (Yes, it is you.)

The leader may play an important role in a movement or resolting a crisis, but how often does a great leader appear throughout a nation's history. And if this person never makes it, does it mean this country stands no chance of rising and thriving? Another question is can we control these events?

The second claim people often make is the political system. Changes implemented by different political systems vary, some systems make it easier than others. But then again, is it something that can be changed in a short period of time?

The last role I would like to discuss here is yours — individual. I believe that small actions can make a huge impact if we stand together.

Have you ever heard about Rosa Parks?

source
Rosa Parks was an African-American who was known for her crucial role in the Montgomery bus boycott.

It began on December 1, 1955, in Montgomery, Alabama, Parks rejected the bus driver when he ordered her to give up her seat for a white passenger. Even though she was arrested after that, she inspire the black community to boycott the Montgomery buses for over a year. The case ended only when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that bus segregation was unconstitutional. source

Rosa Parks has become an important symbol of the movement against racial segregation.

Personally, I was inspired by Parks' example. Think about the number of people who supported her by standing up.

Your action can magnify if you raise your voice for what you believe in, people will follow suit.

We are all free-rider somehow.

source

In many contexts, all of the individual members of a group can benefit from the efforts of each member and all can benefit substantially from collective action. source

For example, if we all travel by bus, then the greenhouse gas emission will be cut down and everyone can enjoy a cleaner and fresher environment. What if I still use a personal vehicle, my car, for example, while others ride the bus, then I still can benefit from the better air quality from other people's effort. In this case, I become a free rider.

The free-rider problem occurs in all aspects of our lives and we do not often see it, but we are all free riders somehow, we take things for granted. We claim that it is not our responsibility, we are not someone in authority or perhaps we can wait for someone else to take action.

How about paying it forwards? It is time to "pay the fare".

The last thing I want to leave you is this.

_{Design with canva.}

We missed that opportunity in the past, and NOW is the time to make that change.

At this point, I'm not sure if I answer the questions, but I just like to share this with you.

Happy day!