A few years ago, I spent two months walking around the area I live in collecting signatures for a petition to 'persuade' the water company to distribute water more equitably. A few people refused to sign, citing fear of possible repercussions. Hardly anyone turned up for a meeting which the press attended.

The distribution improved after the story was aired - but for only one month. And it was back to business as usual. Worse, actually. Were we being punished for having the audacity to speak out?

And humans being what they are, some people actually had the gall to ask me to organize another petition, promising that they would not only sign, but that they would come to any meeting called next time.

Even "when there is discomfort from being personally affected by falsity, wrong or evil ", we don't act.