Don’t blindly rush into ‘good’ deeds

The following is an excerpt from a samvaad (dialogue) session with Acharya Prashant.

Questioner (Q): Pranam Acharya Ji, So the regards to that what must be done v/s what we want to do. A lot of things, one is Environment, Veganism, etc. We understand we have to choose one activity that is most critical. When you say critical it is like most people are affected by it. So, when I came to Mumbai here, I could clearly see a difference in the air which is in Bangalore and which is here. I feel very suffocating sometimes. So, what you said about understanding the issue, studying about the issue is probably the ideal case. So, not everybody is devoted to going to that length. So, I think wherever you are start from there. If I am planting trees in one particular area, it is definitely not harmful, it is beneficial for the people who are there, right?

Acharya Prashant (AP): It has to be thought of in terms of the overall opportunity cost. You see, you have to understand this, It’s not that you have to think of the most important issue. You also have to think of the most effective way to tackle that issue. You may very well be able to identify the most important issue. But what if you are using the least effective way to tackle that issue, and you know what is the problem with the less effective ways? The problem is not merely that they are less effective. The…