Sharon McMahon, author of "The Small and the Mighty" and creator of the popular civics account @sharonsaysso, discusses the vital role of individual action in fostering change. She argues that outrage on social media isn't true activism and highlights the importance of civic education for future generations. McMahon emphasizes focusing on meaningful actions rather than feeling overwhelmed by broad societal issues. Her insights encourage listeners to embrace personal responsibility while pursuing passions that drive genuine progress.
Taking action to help one person is essential for meaningful change, as outrage alone does not equate to activism.
Civic engagement is crucial, as individuals must acknowledge their responsibilities in governance rather than relying solely on leaders.
Fostering hope as a conscious choice empowers individuals to pursue small, actionable measures that can lead to significant societal transformations.
Deep dives
The Importance of Testing and Quality Control
Supplement manufacturers conduct extensive testing to ensure their products' quality, with some companies performing up to 19,000 tests per month. This rigorous testing includes checking for contaminants, potency, and the accuracy of labels to guarantee that what consumers see is indeed what they are getting. For example, probiotics are validated through clinical trials to confirm their effectiveness. Such diligence in quality control reassures customers that they are consuming high-quality supplements at competitive prices.
AI Tools and Productivity
AI tools like Grammarly are becoming increasingly valuable across different professions, helping users enhance their communication and productivity. This tool assists in crafting clear and appropriate messages tailored to the audience's context, whether drafting emails or creating outlines. With millions of users, Grammarly streamlines workflows, allowing users to focus on higher-level tasks while ensuring their written communication maintains the desired tone. The utilization of such tools highlights the growing intersection of technology and professional efficiency.
Civic Engagement and the Stoic Approach
The discussion emphasizes the Stoic philosophy, which advocates for proactive civic engagement rather than passive observation. The concept of 'narcotizing dysfunction' is highlighted, illustrating how increased engagement with news does not always correlate with active participation in civic duties, such as voting. The importance of taking concrete actions and not just discussing issues is stressed, with examples from history illustrating how Stoics were involved in political matters. This engagement is crucial in shaping a better society and addressing pressing challenges.
Individual Responsibility in Civic Action
Individuals must acknowledge their role and responsibility in participating in government and civic duties to foster change. The podcast suggests that every person's contributions, no matter how small, are vital to building a just and equitable society. It is significant for citizens to take proactive steps, such as getting involved in local governance or community initiatives, rather than abdicating responsibility to those in power. This idea is reinforced with anecdotes about historical figures who made meaningful contributions to their communities.
Choosing Hope and Acknowledging Challenges
Hope is framed as a choice that can empower individuals to pursue meaningful change, regardless of the challenges they face. The importance of recognizing the difficult reality while simultaneously believing in the possibility of improvement is emphasized. This duality fosters resilience and action against cynicism and despair. By focusing on small, actionable measures, individuals can cultivate hope and contribute positively to their communities, creating ripples of change that can lead to more significant societal transformations.
If we don’t take action to help just one person, how can we expect to help them all? Ryan and Sharon McMahon, author of The Small and the Mighty, continue their conversation in this episode about how outrage is not activism, how to not get overwhelmed by the many problems in the world, and why it’s important for the next generation to know the truth about our history.
Sharon is known as “America’s Government Teacher,” and after years as a high school government teacher, Sharon now runs the non-partisan, fact-based Instagram account @sharonsaysso. Sharon just released her book, The Small and the Mighty, where she proves that the most remarkable Americans are often ordinary people who didn’t make it into the textbooks.
