Advocate For Change
It is important that we do the right thing and advocate for others to do it, too. Sometimes this is big shit like resisting American Dictatorship. Others, it is semi-consequential, but small things like asking steam to improve RSS. Most of the time, it's somewhere in-between.
It is important that we each participate in shaping our communities and societies. What kind of world do you want to live in?
Next time you're bitching to your friends, or wishing your city would fix a policy, or hoping for new features in your favorite video game, go tell the people who actually have some power to make it happen.
U.S. Readers: see Resist American Dictatorship and Stand Up Fight Back
My most successful activism was also the easiest. My girlfriend at-the-time and I were looking for an apartment (in the U.S.). A great looking option came from a company that forbade co-ed housing unless you were blood-related or married. We were being discriminated against for our sex & marriage status.
I filed a complaint with my state's Housing department. About 6 months later, I got a letter saying the policy had been changed due to some legal precedent in some other state. All I did was file a complaint and answer my phone when the rep from the state called. All-in-all it was 20 minutes of my time, and a discriminatory housing policy was overturned, affecting probably hundreds of apartments.
Most initial advocacy is this easy. Most of it is not this effective. But you should at least try. It is your duty as a member of society.
So go, advocate for change. Send an email to your city council or state rep. File a complaint with the City or State when you've been wronged. Ask your boss to fix a bad policy. Send customer feedback. Refuse to do unjust things. Fill out surveys and vote. Organize or protest or spread propaganda or run for office if you're up for it. Just do something.
This page replaces Public Works.
My Advocacy
Here are many (but not nearly all) of the advocacy efforts I've personally engaged in.
Also see: Small Bills