How to be a Decent Human Being

2025-05-08

I’m tired of people living life like their actions will not affect others or our planet. I’m also frustrated that far too many individuals think only about themselves. It’s almost as if we have forgotten how to get along as part of a society.

To combat these tendencies, I decided to write down some thoughts I had to improve the world. This is intended to be a living list that I’ll update over time. You might disagree with some of these items, but I felt the need to post them anyway.

Transportation

• When you commute to work, the correct order of transportation options is:
  1. Walk;
  2. Ride a bicycle; and if you can’t do either of those, then you can:
  3. Take a train; or
  4. Take a bus, preferably electric. That’s it. Our planet cannot support any other options. If you live too far away from work, then you either work in the wrong location or you live in the wrong place. Make the change.
• We must stop building single-family residences. It's wasteful and inefficient.
• If you drive a vehicle, follow the speed limit. It’s safer and reduces energy consumption.
• Do not touch your phone while driving.
• If you stop your car in a crosswalk, you should have your license revoked. Stop it.
• Speeding tickets should be based on your income, otherwise speeding is just a subscription for rich people.

Work

• Stop printing things. There is virtually no need to print documents in today’s age. Send them electronically, get digital signatures, or post information to a web site.
• Do not use single-use silverware or dishes for lunch. Bring you own if necessary.
• If you are an employer, stop buying cheap computers or monitors for employees. Invest in the good stuff which can be repaired. Your employees will appreciate it and they will last longer.
• If you are a CEO, you pay should be no higher than 10% of your highest paid employee. And nobody’s compensation should be more than $300,000 per year. Everyone should be able to live on that salary.
• The pay for men and women should be equal. Full stop.
• If you manufacture items, you must take responsibility for the full product lifecycle, including recycling once the item is used.

Home

• Compost your food scraps.
• Buy less, and then when you do, recycle the packaging.
• Turn off the TV and read a book. Then share the book with friends when you are done.
• Lawns should be outlawed. Stop using chemicals to kill weeds. We can easily live with a wild landscape, which creates a friendly habitat for wildlife.
• When buying new items, make sure they are better than what you have. Otherwise repair what you have or avoid the purchase altogether.

Homelessness

• Stop calling the police to get rid of homeless people. Find out where people can get help in your city, and make sure everyone has a place they can go.
• Do not look down on someone who is homeless. You are one large medical bill (not covered by insurance) from being homeless yourself.

Disabilities

• Anyone with a disability should be treated as a human being. You either have a disability now, or you will in the future as you age. Treat everyone as you would like to be treated because it will affect you eventually.
• Thank the disability community for pushing to make things accessible. It makes everyone’s life easier.

Social Conduct

• When you attend an event, turn off your phone and put it away. Nobody will watch the third grade recital ever again, including you.
• No food or drink inside nice rooms or theaters. This is how we keep it nice for everyone.
• If you own a business, stop asking for tips on every transaction. Unless you perform a challenging service for customers, you don’t need a tip.
• When you drive, stop for people in crosswalks. The order of priority on the road is the following:

1. Walkers;
2. People on Bicycles or other non-powered transportation;
3. And then people in a vehicle.

• Do not litter. There is no excuse for turning our planet into your garbage can.
• Stop spitting your gum out on the sidewalk. Or throwing cigarette butts out your car window. Both of these are littering too.
• If you see an emergency, try to help. Do not think that “someone else will help” because often that is what everyone thinks. Just help.

Children

• Read to your children. Every day.
• When your child goes to school, you need to help them with their homework. It is not the school’s responsibility alone.
• Children should be out in public. In restaurants, theaters, and parks. However, the parent’s are responsible for the children and their children’s actions reflect on them.
• Childhood is amazing and full of discovery. When you meet children, take time to explain what you are doing and why. You never know when you might have a significant impact on their lives.

Websites

• Do not track users. Ever.
• Opt users out by default, and allow them to opt-in for anything special.
• Make sure your site is accessible. It’s hard, I know, but it’s important to do.

Thank you for reading, and I hope I have not offended anyone.

#instruction #opinion