Can ONE person boycotting make a difference?

I'm just looking for opinions- I already think that it can.

I had an argument with a friend today about it, and he said that my refusal to buy from certain companies made "no difference", as one person- which is technically true. But I was saying that I'm one person that's part of a movement- if you applied that logic to each individual it would, I guess, make sense about each person but it doesn't work like that. Thousands, probably more, boycott and as a group it DOES make a difference, so it's not just about the indivdual- it's about the individual as part of something bigger.

Thoughts?

 

In order for others to join you you'll have to speak out man. One voice can make a difference but it ain't an easy path. Hold your head high an' do your best.

 

Part of his point was that you're only doing something if you go and convince others to boycott as well, like starting a mass movement. But I'm saying that those thousands of people that are convinced DO matter, he agreed- so each one of those people as individuals must matter as well.

I do agree that speaking out is doing a lot more than simply not buying from certain companies, but doing at least something can't possibly be ineffectual. Even if it's just one person.

 

Boycotts only work with strength in numbers.

On the flip side, even Einstein's brain started out as a single cell.


x

 

1 x 100 = 100
1 x 1000 = 1000

Answer is YES.
It's like saying that showering would make the world cleaner.
And you KNOW you're not the only one that takes showers, right?

 

Can ONE person boycotting make a difference?

yes

 

I personally think it usually makes little difference

it does make a difference to the person who does the boycotting , but it rarely 'changes' the world, in fact I can't think of a single case in history where it did change anything

 

For me it isn't so much a question of "making a difference" so much as where my energy is going. It makes a difference to me. If I become one of thousands and make a difference in the big picture, even better!

 

One person boycotting will also result in that same person getting their ass kicked by security.

 

"We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But if the drop was not in the ocean, I think the ocean would be less because of the missing drop."

Transformation happens one at a time, from the inside out. Never give up.

 

Well, just consider that whatever the offending practice is, YOU are no longer contributing to it even if the practice continues.

 

It makes a difference to you. And that's important. I've boycotted Walmart for over ten years my friends think I am nuts. But I am not willing to spend my money there. Walmart may be prosperous, but it doesn't owe it's prosperity to me, and that's important to me.

 

"Nearly everything you do is of no importance, but it is important that you do it. "

-Gandhi.

 

One is better than none.And as mentioned even if it just makes you feel good about not doing business with some company,than it is worth it. ----And also part of boycotting a bad business is also telling everyone you know that-, that business is no good,and word of mouth is very powerful.And I personally boycott a few companies,and I get a good feeling knowing they are not getting a cent from me.

 

no. a single person insignificant. the only people when it comes to things like boycotts and voting that matter are those folks who can influence a whole buncha people.

 

One person does make a difference - because that one person is you - and although the other may not be aware of what is happening - you do.

 

my ex-wife boycotted all the time...i gave in all the time...worked for her

 

Mai....think Gahndi..as a single entity following his convictions, he brought about a larger change. Boycotts are about an objection on moral grounds to an unfair condition or practice. Herd mentally leads to apathy which propogates that unfair condition. Singularity often brings change. To often many do not follow their convictions or their heart. This inaction, even by one individual, halts progress to change. Just a personal belief.

 

lot of of trendy sayins here but no matter, I do it for me. If i believe in what Im doing then it makes a difference for me, inside, if the rest of the world is smart enough to follow along then so be it. if not then fuck em.

 

Yeah one person becomes two becomes ten becomes one hundred etc..therefore one person can totally make a difference! The more who realise this the better, since it's about an overall group mentality (without even seeing the group sometimes!), the more who percieve things this way the larger the boycott becomes. However the more who see it the other way (a capitalist disease) will help diminish boycott power! I've had this discussion with a few people, and have found it upsetting when people can't see the bigger picture in that way...