Stopping Pandemic Staggering Profiting of Billionaires, Big Tech and Big Pharma
Creative Ways to Respond to Headline News
WHAT IF? We Took Headline News and Reports Coming Out and Did Deep Dives Into What We Can Do About the Directions Life is Taking.
A headline this week caught my attention.
✳ Billionaires, Big Tech and Big Pharma Were Pandemic’s Big Winners, New Report Confirms
By John-Michael Dumais published in the Defender, Children’s Health Defense:
As the wealth of U.S. billionaires soared by over $2.6 trillion during the pandemic, major pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer and Moderna and tech giants such as Meta, Alphabet, and Amazon also saw their market capitalizations skyrocket.
Photo Credit from CHD Article: Inequality.org using Forbes data
WHAT IF?
Imagine if we habitually transformed headlines like these into catalysts for our empowered thoughts and actions. Viewing them as launchpads, we could unlock the immense potential of our creative abilities and envision a multitude of possibilities.
Using Headline News as Springboards
What would happen if we consistently used such headlines as triggers to engage our empowered imagination and actions? By treating these stories as stepping stones, we could explore the expansive realm of opportunities to unleash our creative talents.
In The Spirit of this Idea, I consulted with ChatGPT for Empowering Ideas.
What follows are a series of questions I asked, and the responses I got from ChatGPT
Many ideas were generated by ChatGPT.
At the end I decided to ask, how you, the reader, may be feeling
from reading all these possibilities of empowered ways humanity
can engage with the challenges we are presented with.
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So let me start with sharing the questions generated by my inquiry about how it might feel to read all this. Perhaps consider these questions as you read through this article.
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🌟 Shema asks: Please offer 7 questions people could ask themselves after looking at all these ideas of ways to engage, while also realizing they are facing big money power in the trillions. So ask questions like, how do they feel, do they feel their efforts will have any impact, etc.
Reflecting on the options and the challenge of confronting entities with immense power and resources is crucial. Here are seven introspective questions people can ask themselves to guide their thoughts and actions:
How do I feel about the current state of corporate power and influence? This question invites individuals to acknowledge their emotions, be it anger, frustration, or hope, as a starting point for meaningful action.
Do I believe my efforts, no matter how small, can contribute to meaningful change? This is about assessing one's belief in the power of individual and collective action in the face of overwhelming odds.
What values and principles are most important to me in this context? Identifying core values helps align actions with personal ethics and provides a moral compass in the journey towards change.
How can I use my unique skills and resources to contribute to this cause? This question encourages individuals to recognize their unique strengths and how they can be effectively utilized in activism.
What are the potential obstacles, and how can I prepare to face them? Anticipating challenges allows for strategic planning and resilience building.
Who can I collaborate with to amplify our collective impact? This emphasizes the importance of community and the strength found in unity.
How can I balance my activism with self-care to avoid burnout? Recognizing the importance of self-care is crucial for sustained engagement in any form of activism.
These questions are designed to provoke deep reflection and help individuals navigate their journey in activism, especially when faced with formidable challenges. They align with the mission of empowering others, fostering resilience, and inspiring change.
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NOW AS WE REFLECT ON THESE QUESTIONS, AND OTHER QUESTIONS YOU, THE READER, MAY HAVE
CONSIDER TWO WAYS TO APPROACH THIS
🌟 ONE, FEELING SMALL AND INSIGNIFICANT AGAINST THE RICH ELITE HAVING TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO PLAY WITH
🌟 OR WHAT IF!
WE REFLECT ON THE QUESTIONS AND IDEAS PRESENTED, WHILE ALSO REMEMBERING HOW POWERFUL WE ARE, THE MAGNITUDE OF OUR UNTAPPED POTENTIALS, THE IMMENSE STRENGTH AND WISDOM THAT LIES IN OUR COLLECTIVE CONSCIOUSNESS AND OUR INTERCONNECTEDNESS WITH ALL OF LIFE, OUR ONENESS WITH SOURCE CREATOR!
NOW LET’S EXPLORE IDEAS
🌟
CHATGPT - WHAT CAN PEOPLE DO?
This headline indeed strikes a chord, highlighting a stark contrast between the fortunes of the few and the struggles of the many. In addressing this complex issue, it's crucial to empower individuals and communities to take actionable steps towards creating a more ethical and balanced society. Here are three approaches:
Advocacy and Conscious Consumerism: One of the most potent tools in the arsenal of the general public is their collective voice and purchasing power. Encouraging individuals to support businesses that align with their values can drive change. This could mean choosing local or smaller businesses over multinational corporations, or companies that transparently share their ethical practices. It's about fostering a culture of conscious consumerism, where every dollar spent is a vote for the kind of world one wishes to live in.
Educational Outreach and Awareness: Knowledge is power. By educating themselves and others about the intricacies of corporate practices and their societal impacts, people can make more informed decisions. Hosting workshops, seminars, or webinars, and using platforms to share insights about these issues can enlighten many. It's about planting seeds of change through knowledge.
Political Engagement and Policy Advocacy: On a larger scale, engagement in the political process is crucial. This doesn't just mean voting in elections, but also active participation in local community discussions, supporting candidates who advocate for corporate accountability and ethical business practices, and even campaigning for policy changes that regulate corporate power and ensure fair distribution of wealth. Encourage each other to find their voice in the civic arena, transforming personal empowerment into societal change.
In each of these steps, the underlying theme is empowerment – the belief that each individual has the power to effect change, both in their personal choices and as part of the larger community. It's about building resilience against the tides of power and using one's voice, choice, and actions to sculpt a more ethical and just society.
🌟 THEN I ASK CHATGPT
Are there any examples in the world to date, where people have been impactful and effective in curbing corporation abuse?
There are several notable instances where collective action and public advocacy have successfully influenced corporations to change their practices. These examples serve as beacons of hope and demonstrate the power of collective effort:
Boycotts and Consumer Pressure - Nestlé and Fair Trade: In the 2000s, Nestlé, one of the world's largest food and beverage companies, faced significant consumer boycotts due to concerns over the sourcing of cocoa from farms using child labor. The public outcry led to Nestlé adopting more sustainable and ethical sourcing practices, including a commitment to using certified cocoa. It showed that when consumers unite in their demand for ethical practices, even the largest corporations can be compelled to change.
Activist Shareholding - Big Oil and Environmental Accountability: In a more recent example, activist shareholders within major oil companies like ExxonMobil have successfully pushed for changes in corporate policies regarding environmental impact. In 2021, a small hedge fund, Engine No. 1, won seats on ExxonMobil's board with a campaign focused on transitioning the company towards renewable energy. This case highlights how shareholders can use their stakes in a company to influence its strategic direction, especially concerning environmental sustainability.
Legislative Change - The Tobacco Industry and Public Health: The global campaign against tobacco companies is a powerful example of how legislative action, fueled by public advocacy and scientific research, can rein in harmful corporate practices. Strict advertising regulations, mandatory health warnings, and public smoking bans have not only curbed tobacco use but also significantly altered the way tobacco companies operate.
These examples illustrate how different strategies - consumer activism, shareholder advocacy, and policy change - can work effectively in different contexts. They reflect themes of: the power of informed and conscious choices, the importance of advocacy and leadership in driving change, and the role of resilience and collective action in confronting challenges. Each story is a testament to the idea that when people come together, informed and motivated, they hold immense power to reshape the corporate landscape towards more ethical and sustainable practices.
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🌟 SHEMA ASKS
How might people influence specific positive outcomes to stop this profiting from pandemics? Please offer something tangible to do right now.
Addressing the issue of disproportionate profit-making during crises like a pandemic requires a multifaceted approach that blends awareness, advocacy, and direct action. Here are some tangible steps that individuals and communities can take to influence positive outcomes:
Supporting and Advocating for Equitable Healthcare Policies: One immediate action is to support policies and initiatives that aim for more equitable distribution of healthcare resources. This could involve backing proposals for affordable healthcare, lobbying for the waiver of patents on vital medications during pandemics to allow for cheaper generic versions, or supporting global initiatives for fair vaccine distribution. By writing to legislators, joining advocacy groups, or participating in peaceful demonstrations, individuals can help shift the focus from profit to public health.
Promoting and Investing in Alternative Solutions: Encouraging investment in and support for smaller pharmaceutical and tech companies that prioritize ethical practices could help balance the market. This involves both individual choices in consumption and advocacy for institutional investment policies that favor ethical companies. By choosing products and services from companies that adhere to ethical standards, individuals can directly influence market trends.
Educational Campaigns and Building Awareness: Educate the public about the implications of these profit dynamics. Raise awareness about the ethical implications of pandemic profiteering and empower people with knowledge to make informed choices.
Community-driven Initiatives for Self-Reliance: Fostering community-based initiatives such as local healthcare co-operatives or community support groups can reduce dependence on big corporations. These initiatives can provide more affordable, community-centric alternatives to services and products offered by major corporations.
Ethical Investment and Divestment Movements: Encourage followers and peers to practice ethical investing. This means investing in companies and funds that prioritize social responsibility and ethical practices, and divesting from those that don't align with these values. This approach can shift financial power away from corporations that profit unethically.
Each of these steps encapsulates the key elements of – inspiring change, building resilience, and empowering communities. It's about transforming individual awareness into collective action,
Thus fostering a world where economic gains are not at the expense
of societal and ethical values.
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🌟 Shema Now Asks: Please write up an activism plan - let's say 10 points of community organizing that could be started right now. List out things people could start doing right now. Research they could do, local government conversations to have, parents joining together, etc.
Here's a 10-point activism plan for community organizing, focusing on tangible actions that can be initiated immediately:
Form a Community Group: Start by assembling a group of like-minded individuals in your community. This could include neighbors, friends, and colleagues who share concerns about corporate practices and their impact on society.
Conduct Research and Educate the Group: Dedicate initial meetings to educating the group about the issues at hand. This can include researching how local businesses have been impacted by corporate practices and the extent of these corporations' influence in your area.
Develop a Clear Mission and Set of Goals: As a group, define what you aim to achieve. This could range from advocating for ethical business practices to supporting local businesses or lobbying for legislative changes.
Engage with Local Businesses: Foster relationships with local business owners. Understand their challenges and explore how the community can support them. Promote shopping locally through your networks.
Organize Educational Workshops and Seminars: Organize events that educate and empower the community. Topics can include ethical consumerism, the impact of corporate practices on society, and how to advocate for change.
Engage with Local Media: Write op-eds, letters to editors, and use local media platforms to raise awareness about your cause.
Meet with Local Government Representatives: Schedule meetings with city council members, mayors, or other local government officials. Discuss your concerns and present your group's proposals for local policies or support for local businesses.
Create a Social Media Campaign: Utilize social media to spread awareness, organize events, and share success stories. This is also a powerful tool for mobilizing community action and keeping members engaged.
Organize Fundraisers and Community Events: Host events to raise funds for local businesses or for causes that support ethical business practices. This can also serve as a platform for community building and awareness.
Build Alliances with Other Groups and Organizations: Seek out and partner with other community groups, non-profits, and advocacy organizations with similar goals. There’s strength in numbers, and such alliances can significantly amplify your impact.
Here we are providing practical steps for communities to initiate real change. Each step is designed to build awareness, foster community engagement, and ultimately drive towards tangible outcomes in promoting ethical business practices.
A SUMMARY OF 10 POINTS
For the 10-point activism plan:
Form a Community Group: Gather like-minded individuals who are passionate about change.
Identify Key Issues: Conduct meetings to identify and prioritize local issues.
Educational Workshops: Host workshops on topics like civic engagement and community organizing.
Engage with Local Government: Schedule meetings with local representatives to discuss community concerns.
Collaborate with Local Businesses: Partner with businesses for community projects.
Social Media Campaign: Use social media to raise awareness and mobilize support.
Community Surveys: Conduct surveys to understand community needs and opinions.
Public Demonstrations: Organize peaceful demonstrations to highlight key issues.
Volunteer Programs: Establish volunteer programs to address local challenges.
Regular Community Meetings: Hold regular meetings to track progress and plan future actions.
Each point in this plan encourages proactive participation and collective effort, focusing on education, collaboration, and direct action.
PLANTING SEEDS
THOUGHTS OF POSSIBILITIES
STEP OUT OF THE BOUNDARY CONDITIONS OF OUR PAST CONDITIONING
IS THERE ONE SMALL SHIFT, OR ACTION, YOU CAN TAKE, FROM READING THIS ARTICLE?
DO IT NOW.
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I would Love Some Feedback on this Post.
Does it inspire?
Does it energize you?
Does it give you ideas?
Did you take any action from it?
Did you read it all the way through?
I would love to know how it lands for you!
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