Paul GrahamVerified account

So by locally you actually mean a certain segment of users? Well, then this also applies to activism, no?

Have to say, I've only ever heard it said as a way to encourage people to protect the environment.

The people who need help the most are unlikely to be nearby, but the people you can be confident need help are disproportionately likely to be nearby, since you have disproportionate information about them.

It makes sense for environmentalism as well

Your consumption is connected to production and pollution worldwide. Fx, your energy consumption has an impact on the global climate. That's the point of the slogan. Not just "activism": all your actions.

Maybe too facile? “Never loved” doesn’t mean meritless. Easy to think this way if you’ve never known your neighbors. And probably the best advice for things like climate change. How much is your own building polluting, e.g.

Locally could also be within a social circle, which is not geographically bound.

Activists do it for the same reason. They want to help people but also inspire other helpers. The people who need help the most are far away, but the people who can help the most are nearby.