Social capital - the new capitalism?

carolt

Whilst we on this board argue incessantly about things like conventional capitalism, ie money and prices of stuff, in many ways what really matters is the stuff you can't put any price on - social capital eg all the stuff you have you value that is based on human relations and that no money 'price' can be put on.

Suppose I've always felt this...but just glanced at a regular email in my inbox and spotted this bit:

http://www.netmums.com/h/n/HOMELIFE/making_mums_happy/

Should add, despite the name, it's not aimed at just mums - anyone of any age, gender and with or without children will find it equally relevant, although it's on a mums' site.

It's a programme to increase one's happiness - looks good overall, but the bit that caught my eye particularly - and yes, I'll say it before anyone else does, probably the bit I need to work on most myself - was the Daily kindness - do a good turn.

There's lots more detail on the site - stuff about going up to random strangers and smiling/saying hello/introducing yourself, plus social responsibility stuff like supporting others, including offering online advice to those who need it - plenty of opportunity to do that on this site - picking up litter, chatting to a neighbour you've never spoken to before or inviting them to tea, buying a Big Issue, supporting Amnesty's campaigns or getting involved in other good causes, etc etc. Look and see for yourself.

Anyway, I'm going to try to not be tempted to be sarky on here, and instead be helpful sweetness and light . Maybe if we all try to step outside our comfort/laziness zones, and just do one good thing a day, we can all make the world a slightly nicer place - for free. And if you believe in karma or equivalent, so much the better.

Have a lovely day, all fellow posters, bull and bear alike. Enjoy the sunshine.

This site (and its associated sites) are good if you want a quick 'helping others' fix - Martin's a big fan too.
http://www.thehungersite.com


:wave: :beer:

PS No, I haven't been drinking.

Heyman_2

Carol,

Such is your usual demeanour that I'm almost tempted to think this is some sort of big rib - but I'll take it at face value

There's a lot to be said for this way of thinking, not the sort of thing you see on this particular forum unfortunately but definitely on other parts of the site and also as you say worth exercising in real life.

I'll have a read as it looks interesting, but unfortunately I think this thread is bound for the 'Arms, so not sure if many regulars will get to see it

Still - in the spirit of things I hope everyone's had a good weekend and enjoys the rest of their evening :beer:

StevieJ

carolt wrote: »

Whilst we on this board argue incessantly about things like conventional capitalism, ie money and prices of stuff, in many ways what really matters is the stuff you can't put any price on - social capital eg all the stuff you have you value that is based on human relations and that no money 'price' can be put on.

Suppose I've always felt this...but just glanced at a regular email in my inbox and spotted this bit:

http://www.netmums.com/h/n/HOMELIFE/making_mums_happy/

Should add, despite the name, it's not aimed at just mums - anyone of any age, gender and with or without children will find it equally relevant, although it's on a mums' site.

It's a programme to increase one's happiness - looks good overall, but the bit that caught my eye particularly - and yes, I'll say it before anyone else does, probably the bit I need to work on most myself - was the Daily kindness - do a good turn.

There's lots more detail on the site - stuff about going up to random strangers and smiling/saying hello/introducing yourself, plus social responsibility stuff like supporting others, including offering online advice to those who need it - plenty of opportunity to do that on this site - picking up litter, chatting to a neighbour you've never spoken to before or inviting them to tea, buying a Big Issue, supporting Amnesty's campaigns or getting involved in other good causes, etc etc. Look and see for yourself.

Anyway, I'm going to try to not be tempted to be sarky on here, and instead be helpful sweetness and light . Maybe if we all try to step outside our comfort/laziness zones, and just do one good thing a day, we can all make the world a slightly nicer place - for free. And if you believe in karma or equivalent, so much the better.

Have a lovely day, all fellow posters, bull and bear alike. Enjoy the sunshine.

This site (and its associated sites) are good if you want a quick 'helping others' fix - Martin's a big fan too.
http://www.thehungersite.com


:wave: :beer:

PS No, I haven't been drinking.

Carol, your best post, ever :T

PasturesNew

Mostly happy clappy twaddle, in my opinion. This kind of stuff always annoys me as they make assumptions about people's lives.

As for speaking to a neighbour, do I want to talk to the one I've been tipped off is on drugs? Or the chav-lad who has his mates round lumbering up and down the stairs and slamming doors (and fighting/shouting inside his flat) until gone 2am? Or perhaps the stream of strangers that seem to come and go at odd hours and rent one of the flats on a 1-2 day basis (hotel/service style)? I think I'll keep myself to myself.

StevieJ

PasturesNew wrote: »

Mostly happy clappy twaddle, in my opinion. This kind of stuff always annoys me as they make assumptions about people's lives.

As for speaking to a neighbour, do I want to talk to the one I've been tipped off is on drugs? Or the chav-lad who has his mates round lumbering up and down the stairs and slamming doors (and fighting/shouting inside his flat) until gone 2am? Or perhaps the stream of strangers that seem to come and go at odd hours and rent one of the flats on a 1-2 day basis (hotel/service style)? I think I'll keep myself to myself.

Don't agree, people who make the effort tend to reap the rewards, we can always find reasons not to, BTW are you happy?

mr.broderick

carolt wrote: »

Whilst we on this board argue incessantly about things like conventional capitalism, ie money and prices of stuff, in many ways what really matters is the stuff you can't put any price on - social capital eg all the stuff you have you value that is based on human relations and that no money 'price' can be put on.

Suppose I've always felt this...but just glanced at a regular email in my inbox and spotted this bit:

http://www.netmums.com/h/n/HOMELIFE/making_mums_happy/

Should add, despite the name, it's not aimed at just mums - anyone of any age, gender and with or without children will find it equally relevant, although it's on a mums' site.

It's a programme to increase one's happiness - looks good overall, but the bit that caught my eye particularly - and yes, I'll say it before anyone else does, probably the bit I need to work on most myself - was the Daily kindness - do a good turn.

There's lots more detail on the site - stuff about going up to random strangers and smiling/saying hello/introducing yourself, plus social responsibility stuff like supporting others, including offering online advice to those who need it - plenty of opportunity to do that on this site - picking up litter, chatting to a neighbour you've never spoken to before or inviting them to tea, buying a Big Issue, supporting Amnesty's campaigns or getting involved in other good causes, etc etc. Look and see for yourself.

Anyway, I'm going to try to not be tempted to be sarky on here, and instead be helpful sweetness and light . Maybe if we all try to step outside our comfort/laziness zones, and just do one good thing a day, we can all make the world a slightly nicer place - for free. And if you believe in karma or equivalent, so much the better.

Have a lovely day, all fellow posters, bull and bear alike. Enjoy the sunshine.

This site (and its associated sites) are good if you want a quick 'helping others' fix - Martin's a big fan too.
http://www.thehungersite.com


:wave: :beer:

PS No, I haven't been drinking.

Hi carol

I personally do not have a problem with you but i imagine quite a few of the members consider you rude and somewhat arrogant. I look forward to witnessing your daily 'good deeds'

PasturesNew

StevieJ wrote: »

Don't agree, people who make the effort tend to reap the rewards, we can always find reasons not to, BTW are you happy?

I am when people leave me alone.
I am not when I encounter idiots.

Pobby

Nice post carolt.

carolt

mr.broderick wrote: »

Hi carol

I personally do not have a problem with you but i imagine quite a few of the members consider you rude and somewhat arrogant. I look forward to witnessing your daily 'good deeds'

I have no idea what people consider me as. Does it matter?

Hoping all forum members have a good day today, bull and bear alike!

Off out today, so I shall try smiling encouragingly at strangers...hope they don't run away.....

Actually, am off out with the kids, so I nearly always end up in random conversations with strangers anyway, as my littlest gets lots of attention, as littlies do.

PN - I had a feeling some would regard my post as piffle, but possibly piffle is what truly makes the world go around. Sending you all a virtual, neighbourly smile or two:

Harry_Powell

mr.broderick wrote: »

Hi carol

I personally do not have a problem with you but i imagine quite a few of the members consider you rude and somewhat arrogant. I look forward to witnessing your daily 'good deeds'

I think that if people really do feel this way about strangers they have never met and will never meet, then they need to get a real life and stop using internet forums.

It's just an internet forum, used to exchange ideas, tips and moneysaving advice (or in this particular board, used to exchange insults), it doesn't matter what people 'say' because you'll never meet them and they're probably weirdo's whose opinion means nothing in the 'real' world either.

It does seems strange for carolt to have to create a thread about herself in this way though. Rather narcisistic and nothing really to do with the economy, recession or house prices. I'm surprised it's not been moved to DT already.

Really2

carolt wrote: »

W
[
There's lots more detail on the site - stuff about going up to random strangers and smiling/saying hello/introducing yourself, plus social responsibility stuff like supporting others, including offering online advice to those who need it - plenty of opportunity to do that on this site - picking up litter, chatting to a neighbour you've never spoken to before or inviting them to tea, buying a Big Issue, supporting Amnesty's campaigns or getting involved in other good causes, etc etc. Look and see for yourself.

Anyway, I'm going to try to not be tempted to be sarky on here, and instead be helpful sweetness and light . Maybe if we all try to step outside our comfort/laziness zones, and just do one good thing a day, we can all make the world a slightly nicer place - for free. And if you believe in karma or equivalent, so much the better.

Have a lovely day, all fellow posters, bull and bear alike. Enjoy the sunshine.

This site (and its associated sites) are good if you want a quick 'helping others' fix - Martin's a big fan too.
http://www.thehungersite.com


:wave: :beer:

PS No, I haven't been drinking.

Did being nice to you throw you the other day.;):D

Good post carol. On here I always try to be nice that is why I will argue a point but don't hold a grudge.

we debate on here so it is only our points of view that cross. No need to dislike people because they do not agree with you or see things as you do.

I like the post, I am mainly a "fluffy bunny" but can be like the one in "Monty pythons quest for the holy grail"

So carol please still lets disagree, but always remember if I don't agree with a post it is the point I disagree with not the person behind it. (that is true for all bears)

Have a nice day (but not in an American accent):beer::D