How to make a difference, part 2

A few weeks ago, I shared some suggestions on how to make a difference. I followed up with a detailed guide on what to say and expect when calling your members of Congress. Today, I want to add a few more ideas.

As before, these suggestions are for people balancing work, family, and other obligations, and they’re designed to be effective without being overwhelming. That said, I do believe that, on the margin, we must be willing to sacrifice some of our leisure time to help ensure the world doesn’t unravel simply because too few reasonable people are paying attention.

1. Be intentional about your news consumption.

Yes, keeping up with world events can be painful, but ignoring them won’t make the problems go away. We can’t help solve a crisis if we don’t understand it. That said, doomscrolling, chasing every update in real time, or drowning in an endless stream of news won’t make most of us more effective-it will just leave us exhausted and demoralized.

2. Curate your news sources.

Not all news is created equal. Some outlets, social media accounts, and blogs are far better at keeping you informed than others. I suggest identifying sources that go beyond just presenting facts and offer thoughtful analysis-but it’s crucial to ensure they are credible and well-informed. Take a moment to reflect on where you currently get your news and whether it’s time to reassess. My go-to source for analytic coverage on most topics is The Economist. For Ukraine coverage, I recommend daily updates from the Institute for the Study of War and Phillips OBrien’s substack.

3. You don’t need a unique take.

I’m not sure how common this is, but I often find myself trying to say something slightly different from what others have already said. I’ve come to realize that this isn’t necessary. If someone has made a strong, well-articulated point, there’s no harm in amplifying it rather than reinventing the wheel. There are no extra points for originality here-what matters is that good arguments get heard.

4. Support those who put themselves out there.

Sharing well-reasoned takes isn’t going to single-handedly save the world (all of this advice is meant to be on top of donating, calling your representatives, and taking other direct actions). But it’s also not nothing. Reposting thoughtful analysis and telling people you appreciate their work takes seconds and can encourage them to keep going.

5. Pay for quality journalism.

Good reporting and analysis take time, expertise, and resources. I strongly believe that low-quality information is one of today’s top problems. Financially supporting trustworthy sources is a small but meaningful step toward a better-informed society.

If you have other suggestions, feel free to share them in the comments!

Originally published at https://ukraineinsights.substack.com.