The former yes, the later won't work. Environmental leaders need to adopt the sufficiency approach to environmentalism and accordingly plan strategically. Us "old timers" need to find ways to help them along.
You claim there are many voluntary simplicity people. In fact they are a tiny % and are rare exceptions to a principle that governs all living systems. Human exceptionalism is a fallacy foisted by religions and other myths..
Thanks, Steven, for your comment. Indeed, those who choose to do so in a great way today are a small % of people. But there is a larger number, who choose to substantially cut back. I don't buy the argument that humans have little or no behavioral flexibility in this regard. Other animals can refrain from glutinous behavior when it presents potentially adverse consequences. We are not bacteria in a petri dish. I'll check out Rees' essay. Thanks for sharing.
I often wonder if it does more harm than good for Nate to platform people like Doomberg, especially given Nate's unwillingness to push back hard while interviewing this type of guest. I understand why -- he wants to respect his guests -- but Doomberg's ideas do nothing but perpetuate the belief that we can have our cake and eat it too.
Well said, Elisabeth. It is important to be respectful and fair to guests but not at the expense of compromising one's firmly held and grounded views. I'm not sure where Nate was coming from in that interview. A friend forwarded my commentary to him and, if he replies, I'll let you know what he says. Thanks!
Things are getting increasingly chaotic as speed, overgrowth, building on and accepting the status quo, and the disconnect and disrespect toward Gaia and the great whole (holy) of which we are a tiny part. I keep wondering when will enough folks step out together to say No -- this is not the way I want to live and No -- I will not treat my Mother Earth this way. The arrogance we have assumed as rightfully ours is becoming more painful by the day. Doomberg needs to just hold his breath and not breathe again to get a clue on who is the superior life giver. We are no more separate and superior to our planetary home than our next breath, our next step, our next meal. Abundance, true abundance is nature’s gift. How many seeds does she produce. How many plants can grow, how many precious rain drops fall. It’s all a matter of paying attention. Seeing what is given and working with it, not destroying the life force. I’m more than ready to seek a life affirming way.
I love all this good thinking here, but I question whether a quieter more meditative life will satisfy restless urges. I'd like to see more sports -- hopefully with less massed floodlights. The 1936 Olympics actually calmed down Hitler and his whole Nazi movement for a half-decent moment or two. And militantly, military airlifts could save Gaza, Ukraine, Texas fire zone, and meditation won't save today, and I don't see anything saving tomorrow if we don't save today. Of course, my age to be 79 in 8 days is more fit for meditation than militance. Complex world!!!
or avoid Doomberg - ha ha. Best to make the choice out of respect for nature rather than have it enforced by an authoritarian big brother gov.
The former yes, the later won't work. Environmental leaders need to adopt the sufficiency approach to environmentalism and accordingly plan strategically. Us "old timers" need to find ways to help them along.
You claim there are many voluntary simplicity people. In fact they are a tiny % and are rare exceptions to a principle that governs all living systems. Human exceptionalism is a fallacy foisted by religions and other myths..
https://www.ecologycenter.us/ecosystem-theory/the-maximum-power-principle.html
Here's a short essay by Bill Rees (Ecol. Footprint) tying it all together:
https://overpopulation-project.com/what-you-should-know-but-didnt-know-to-ask-about-overshoot-and-the-population-question/
Thanks, Steven, for your comment. Indeed, those who choose to do so in a great way today are a small % of people. But there is a larger number, who choose to substantially cut back. I don't buy the argument that humans have little or no behavioral flexibility in this regard. Other animals can refrain from glutinous behavior when it presents potentially adverse consequences. We are not bacteria in a petri dish. I'll check out Rees' essay. Thanks for sharing.
I often wonder if it does more harm than good for Nate to platform people like Doomberg, especially given Nate's unwillingness to push back hard while interviewing this type of guest. I understand why -- he wants to respect his guests -- but Doomberg's ideas do nothing but perpetuate the belief that we can have our cake and eat it too.
Well said, Elisabeth. It is important to be respectful and fair to guests but not at the expense of compromising one's firmly held and grounded views. I'm not sure where Nate was coming from in that interview. A friend forwarded my commentary to him and, if he replies, I'll let you know what he says. Thanks!
Things are getting increasingly chaotic as speed, overgrowth, building on and accepting the status quo, and the disconnect and disrespect toward Gaia and the great whole (holy) of which we are a tiny part. I keep wondering when will enough folks step out together to say No -- this is not the way I want to live and No -- I will not treat my Mother Earth this way. The arrogance we have assumed as rightfully ours is becoming more painful by the day. Doomberg needs to just hold his breath and not breathe again to get a clue on who is the superior life giver. We are no more separate and superior to our planetary home than our next breath, our next step, our next meal. Abundance, true abundance is nature’s gift. How many seeds does she produce. How many plants can grow, how many precious rain drops fall. It’s all a matter of paying attention. Seeing what is given and working with it, not destroying the life force. I’m more than ready to seek a life affirming way.
Excellent reflection, Annie. Much appreciated. Thank you!
I love all this good thinking here, but I question whether a quieter more meditative life will satisfy restless urges. I'd like to see more sports -- hopefully with less massed floodlights. The 1936 Olympics actually calmed down Hitler and his whole Nazi movement for a half-decent moment or two. And militantly, military airlifts could save Gaza, Ukraine, Texas fire zone, and meditation won't save today, and I don't see anything saving tomorrow if we don't save today. Of course, my age to be 79 in 8 days is more fit for meditation than militance. Complex world!!!