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TechnoratiMankind Using Earth's Resources at Alarming Rate
WASHINGTON - Humanity would need five Earths to produce the resources needed if everyone lived as profligately as Americans, according to a report issued Tuesday.
![[A NASA image shows Planet Earth in one of the most up-to-date images of the world to date. Humanity would need five Earths to produce the resources needed if everyone lived as profligately as Americans, according to a report issued Tuesday.
(AFP/HO/NASA/File)]](http://www.commondreams.org/files/article_images/earthsresources_alarmingrate.jpg "earthsresources_alarmingrate.jpg")
As it is, humanity each year uses resources equivalent to nearly one-and-a-half Earths to meet its needs, said the report by Global Footprint Network, an international think tank.
"We are demanding nature's services -- using resources and creating CO2 emissions -- at a rate 44 percent faster than what nature can regenerate and reabsorb," the document said.
"That means it takes the Earth just under 18 months to produce the ecological services humanity needs in one year," it said.
And if humankind continues to use natural resources and produce waste at the current rate, "we will require the resources of two planets to meet our demands by the early 2030s," a gluttonous level of ecological spending that may cause major ecosystem collapse, the report said.
Global Footprint Network calculated the ecological footprint -- the amount of land and sea needed to produce the resources a population consumes and absorb its carbon dioxide emissions -- of more than 100 countries and of the entire globe.
The think-tank worked out how many resources the planet has, how much humans use, and who is using what.
Back in 1961, the entire planet used just over slightly more than half of Earth's biocapacity.
Today, 80 percent of countries use more biocapacity than is available within their borders. They import resources from abroad, deplete their own stocks and fill "waste sinks," such as the atmosphere and ocean, with carbon dioxide.
The average American has an ecological footprint of nine global hectares (23 acres), or the equivalent of 17 US football fields.
The average European's footprint is half that size, but still too big to be sustainable in the long term.
At the other end of the scale are impoverished countries like Malawi, Haiti, Nepal or Bangladesh, where the footprints are around half a global hectare, or 1.25 acres -- often not even enough to provide for basic food, shelter and sanitation, the report said.
But there are relatively easy measures that can be taken to slow the rot.
"In most high-income, industrialized countries like the US and European countries, the biggest part of the ecological footprint is the carbon footprint," Nicole Freeling, a spokeswoman for the Global Footprint Network, told AFP.
"One of the biggest things such a country can do to reduce its ecological footprint is to manage energy more efficiently and effectively -- for example, by investing in renewable energy and clean tech on the one hand, and resource-efficient infrastructure and compact urban development on the other," she said.
Changing consumption habits can also reduce the global footprint.
"While people living at or below subsistence levels may need to increase their consumption to move out of poverty, more affluent people can reduce consumption and still improve their quality of life," Freeling said.
57 Comments so far
Show AllMankind or "Amerikind"?
I seriously doubt that a poor person in the jungles of Brazil, in the slumps of India or in the Gaza Strip (just to name a few) are using exactly the same amount of resources an Amerikan is.
Over the Thanksgiving weekend (that wonderful time of the year when we glorify glutony and the slaughter of another race), I took to the task of organazing my recyclables so they can be picked up by a service I've had to hire (since my glorious state does not recycle). I have compiled over 6 bins of tin/aluminum cans, glass, plastic, paper, cardboard, etc. and that's from one person alone over the course of just a couple of months. I seriously doubt that the aforementioned less fortunate human beings can do the same in their part of the world. In fact, in those places, a whole family can probably live on what I'm tossing to the curb.
So, how about honor where honor is due and making Amerikans and their decadent and plunderous life styles own up to what they have single-handledly caused?
Its not just the Americans, have you thought about China? Europe? Russia? There is many nations, not just America.
Suck on that you dumb fucker.
"There's a time when the operation of the machine becomes so odious—makes you so sick at heart—that you can't take part. You can't even passively take part.
"And you've got to put your bodies upon the gears and upon the wheels, upon the levers, upon all the apparatus, and you've got to make it stop.
"And you've got to indicate to the people who run it, to the people who own it that unless you're free, the machine will be prevented from working at all." – M. Savio, Sproul Hall Steps, December 2, 1964
How close are we to that moment? The "we", I mean, who understand, at least dimly, that we're in the most trouble we *can* be in?
How close? Can we even *see* that moment from here?
I also really dislike the language used in this article. I feel that the cultural language used to become the cultural narrative, normalizes concepts that are incorrect or even damaging:
"Mankind Using Earth's Resources at Alarming Rate"
The Earth is not a resource. The word "resource" connotates an exploitative, destructive relationship. A resource is something to be used. If the cultural narrative dictates in plain language that we are in a usary relationship with the planet we inhabit, it normalizes the concept of being users. It is not a reciprocal relationship. We have come to feel entitled to use, objectify, exploit as a mode for how to exist in the world.
We do not represent "humanity". Time and time again, domesticated humans refer to our current position as a sort of fated evolution that has led to this encarnation which somehow translates into destiny. Civilization is the pinnacle of evolution - it has all led to this, the best way for humans to exist in the world. But what have we to show for a mere 14 thousand years? The complete devastaion of the bioshpere and a threat to all life within it? Whereas, prior to civilization, humans lived in the world for hundreds of thousands of years - a solid definition of sustainable lifestyle comparitively - without ruining the entire planet. You would think that human existiesnce of hundreds of thousands of years could more accurately be described as "humanity". But no. Since we domesticates are so impressed with our staggering heights, we do not even consider those who lived for a stunningly larger period of time on the Earth than we have. It seems somewhat narcissistic to act as though civilized human existence is the only life worthy consideration. To consider modern humans as "humanity" is denial, disconnect, and ultimately damaging in that we do not even try to use as examples any other way to view our place in the world. Instead we act as though our current way of living will solve the very problems it has created. It's like trying to cure a sick mind with a sick mind. Insanity.
The world is sick because the majority of individuals are 'sick.' But sickness can be healed. Most do not seem to want to take responsibility, but blame others for their sickness, or the sickness at large. Rather than throw stones and say we do not represent humanity (we DO represent humanity, even if at it's worst), try to understand why we are so self-destructive, without being judgmental about it (hint: it's not easy).
And you are correct a sick mind cannot cure a sick mind, but it CAN see that it is sick.
"The world is sick because the majority of individuals are 'sick.'"
I get the feeling that you believe that "individuals" are the world. As in people are the world. Humans are not the world. They may be your world.
"Rather than throw stones and say we do not represent humanity(we DO represent humanity, even if at it's worst)..."
This is the cultural narrative I wish to challenge. I am passionate about "casting stones" at a cultural mythology that has supported an ideology of immiseration. How can so much more time ( hundereds of thousands of years) as humans not actually be representational of "humanity"? How can so little time ( roughly 14,000 years) as domesticates, eclipse the former and become all of what we come to see as "human kind"? Who does it serve to ignore, dismiss, marginalize, all those cultures who existed/exist as nature based? It serves our story of collective self to boost ourselves up as the only humans who matter. Evolution. Progress. Bullshit.
"try to understand why we are so self-destructive, without being judgmental about it (hint: it's not easy)."
Do you really not see how condescending you sound? Jaysis.
"And you are correct a sick mind cannot cure a sick mind, but it CAN see that it is sick."
I disagree. Delusional people do not know they are full of shit.
With almost 7,000,000,000 people, the resources becoming more and more scarce, the pollution sinks getting bigger and bigger, the push of the people with more money than others, the need for more open land means less forests(bet there are very few people who realize the true value of forests), the innate need to hate and beat those people in the valley and we still haven't a clue as to what the ice age cycles of glacial and interglacial periods will actually do IS nature's way of control that will not allow a species with the footprint of a human to dominate the whole earth, but the hardest thing to come to grips with is the time factor as in when will it all come to a vector and crash, in my or your life time, in my kid's life time in my grand kid's lifetime and who will survive, but that is the future and try as mankind will, he just can't see what will happen in the future and mankind damn sure doesn't give a shit about what has happened in the past so much so that a lot of humans try to change what really has happened in the past which is the collective insanity of all humans but in this case in an attempt to preserve what was safe and comfortable.
On another site I watched a video interview with Leuren Moret, an expert on the effects of depleted uranium and pesticides on human beings. You might write her off as a conspiracy nut until you read her credentials. She believes that there is a world-wide on-going program financed by the London banks, Wall St, and the usual culprits in the western world, to reduce the world's population using every known method of biowarfare: depleted uranium bombs, vaccination during flu epidemics, etc. Crop spraying has been shown to affect the potency of local animals and reptiles, and pesticides and additives in plastic products cause future infertility and impotence in human babies. Male babies have been born with tiny penises, male alligators in Florida don't even know how to initiate intercourse.
Start listening to her and you think, Wow, fewer people, I like this. Because we all know there is no government in the western world as brave and brutal as the Chinese, and none of them is going to buck the Vatican. It's immoral to manipulate other people, even for their own good, so what do you people think about this?
Nature will take care of the problem if we don't. It is far more 'intelligent' than human beings, though it won't be pleasant or pretty for us.
I really dislike this sentiment. Yet I hear it all the time. It's like some mental trip played on one's self to feel better about a catastrophic moment.
It is already not pleasant for "nature", humans, and many, many, many non-humans. It is already not pretty for a vast array of life on the planet. I feel that by saying "it will not be pretty" is to dismiss how ugly it is for not only most humans on the planet but much if not most life on the planet. I feel that by saying "Nature will take care of the problem ", it is a cop out - don't worry, we don't need to do anything because in the end, life will prevail.
It seems existentialist. It seems philosophic. As the world burns right now. Currently. I find no comfort currently in knowing that life in the universe will continue no matter how badly domesticated humans fuck the planet over today. To me it seems a cowardly zeitgeist(it is frighteningly common)that often times is taken as some sort of spiritualism, yet allows comfort when I don't believe there should be comfort. It is not trascendental to dissociate. Being present means reacting appropriately. Watching as the planet screams out for help is inappropriate.
It's like bearing moral witness or some crap like that. A person is being assaulted, yet I can stand there and say to myself, "Don't worry. Nature will take care of itself." I mean, how does this help the victim right now? As though comforting the pain I feel from watching the desruction, is more important than comforting the victim of the pain.
It is a painful moment. To avoid feeling this - to avoid reacting appropriately to the pain seems like dissociation.
Sorry if it disturbs you; it is the truth. We cannot continue to rape the earth without consequences. As individuals we can wake up spiritually, and cease to cooperate with the ongoing destruction. You see, it's odd that we do not see the connection between self-ignorance and the state of the world we live in, or make for ourselves. Dispel the ignorance within you, which is primarily that you can change or make the world better without transforming yourself (actually they go hand in hand).
Many believe that they can change the world from the periphery without more fully understanding the whole of being, but only make the problem(s) worse while believing they are making things better, as with the use of military force to bring peace, and of course those who proclaim themselves or are proclaimed to be 'do-gooders.' This is the illusion we live under. Now you are welcome to argue and/or project anything onto 'me' that you wish. I do agree that facing the ugliness man has created is often a hard pill to swallow; even harder to swallow is the fact that most of us are contributing to it in different ways. But, hey, there it is.
If I may suggest, though, rather than be disturbed, investigate the validity (or invalidity) of it for yourself. Most would rather place blame than make personal changes.
Your tone is that of someone who is self identified as being on a spiritual hilltop. It is suggestive of a smugness that you have found The Answer and all the rest of us need do is awaken spiritually as you have done. This lecturish style is somewhat disgusting. Talk about alienation and disconnection - all in the certainty that you are enlightened.
Again, you are projecting. I make no claim whatsoever. I do, however, know where the answer does NOT lie (actually it is easy for anyone to observe that cares to look; man has labored for millennium to reform this or that, and essentially corrupts all he touches in his sleeping state, no?). Moreover, there is no 'spiritual hilltop,' there is only being and relationship. Rather than try to project what I am or am not seek to transform yourself. Don't bother yourself so much as to whether someone else is more or less enlightened than you are. FYI, I fully realize that I have much personal work to do, as we all do.
"man has labored for millennium to reform this or that, and essentially corrupts all he touches in his sleeping state, no?"
prior to that millenium that you refer to, man(sic) did not corrupt all he (sic) touched.
"Moreover, there is no 'spiritual hilltop,' there is only being and relationship."
And there is lecturing and talking down to. As if you are illuminating something unknown.
"Rather than try to project what I am or am not seek to transform yourself."
I doubt I am projecting when it seems obvious that you think you have some sage advice that is offered in the form of assumption, then directive. Please stop. It feels gross.
"Don't bother yourself so much as to whether someone else is more or less enlightened than you are."
I couldn't give a rats ass what you think you are and I wouldn't bother myself in comparing me to you. What high regard you hold yourself in to assume I find myself in some contest with you. I argue your existentialist point of view because yours is risk free, and only serves as a feel good solution. It is a privileged perspective as you are not personally under assault in the ways that those who live on less than $1 a day or the planet is. It is a view of disconnection under the guise of interconnectedness.
Personal transformation is a very very short lever when it comes to resisting this culture of destruction. I beleive the CEO's are quite comfortable with your tactic of self work.
"FYI, I fully realize that I have much personal work to do, as we all do."
You are not the point. Personal work is not stopping the machine. It's self indulgence.
Right, self-observation and self-awareness is merely self-indulgence and, according to you Socrates was self-indulgent when he said: "the unreflected life is not worth living..." Without personal inner work we cannot stop the machine, glen; we live from desire to desire, in accordance with our conditioning, whether conscious or unconscious. Personal self-work is not indulgence, it is about learning to stay present with oneself. Many so-called activists are doing more harm than good, and secretly self-righteous about their campaigns. Your resistance to my post(s) and inference to my 'tone,' as you call it, is an evasion on your part. What does my 'tone' matter anyway? If I may point out, you seem to be reacting on a purely egoic level. If something is true, it needs no defense, correct? To say my comment about transformation feels 'gross' is all about 'you' and 'your reaction,' glen, and has nothing to do with me. You should examine why my posts have elicited such a strong reaction from you. The media does not want you to self-reflect, but to live mindlessly and gratify whatever urge makes it a profit. The purpose of advertising is to do just that.
I will reiterate what I posted previously: nature has a purpose of its own, a dynamic which includes human existence. It is we who are dependent upon nature and not the other way around. So if we defy and upset its balance there will be negative consequences. And we cannot 'fix' this situation without understanding the bigger picture, meaning our purpose within nature.
Anyway, it is apparent that we mix like oil and water, so the solution is a simple one: you go your way and I'll go mine.
If something is true, it needs no defense, correct?
---------------------------------------------------
E pur si muove.
Perhaps I do not represent these ideas too well. You, glen, or anyone else who feels that something is missing might want to visit:
http://www.guyfinley.com
No one is forced to change if they do not want to, and it takes some self-honesty to realize that something is missing. The insane world in which we presently live is not the only possible one.
"Right, self-observation and self-awareness is merely self-indulgence and, according to you Socrates was self-indulgent when he said: 'the unreflected life is not worth living...' "
Yes. Of course Socrates was self indulgent. And an Elite. Perhaps he should have told the slaves that composed the majority of the Greek populace that all they need do to have a life worth living, would be to do a bit of self reflection. Sounds like you are really in love with philosophical thought - or...the mind.
Of course you would wane philosophic in the face of utter oppression and doom.
Personal self work is indulgent in that it is usually only afford those who are privileged. Tell it to the slaves, the soon to be extinct, the poor, the rape victim, the abused child the clear cut forest, the polar bear. "Hey mister polar bear! I'm working on myself! It's all gonna work out eventually...."
"Personal self-work is not indulgence, it is about learning to stay present with oneself."
Please spare us all the Eckhart Tolle crap here already. You presume that I have not these experiences.
"If I may point out, you seem to be reacting on a purely egoic level. If something is true, it needs no defense, correct?"
In AA we used to say, "Take yer own inventory!". Talk about judgemental. Yes Please tell me some of my other character defects oh wise one...How presumtuous.
Life is true. It needs defense right now in the present. This is what I have been trying to point out this whole discussion. Your psuedo yogi zen master bullshit isn't doing jack shit to tangebly help the stop destruction.It helps you sleep at night. That's all. What I have been saying is that we perhaps shouldnb't be sleeping so well. You are defending a lifestyle choice and presenting it as though it is an effective tactic for resistance. It's an effective tactic for sleep.
We need not be enlightened to bring down the beast. We need not have all our mental and spiritual ducks in a row in order to fight back. We can get to that shit after we've won. And actually by winning, or at least fighting, we will be taking care of some of it in so doing. That is true self care.
"You should examine why my posts have elicited such a strong reaction from you. The media does not want you to self-reflect, but to live mindlessly and gratify whatever urge makes it a profit. The purpose of advertising is to do just that."
The fact that you have said the words, "You should..." several times is what I find lacking tact or even consideration. Your method is procrastination with a self righteous twist, masking as spiritual, pretension at moral high ground. That is what I find gross. The haughtiness in which you carry your message - in a fashion that makes it seem like you are some sort of herald - this is what I find slimy. The false assumption in which you suggest that I have no clue about introspection is what I find lame. That you would make suggestions that you somehow view would better my life, make me a better person in your opinion....fooksake! It's embarrassing to even have to point out the arrogance. Really? You don't see it?
"Anyway, it is apparent that we mix like oil and water, so the solution is a simple one: you go your way and I'll go mine."
Agreed. But. If I see you trying to pull yer wanna be spiritual guide shit, you can bet that I will be on you quicklike. As far as I'm concerned, that belongs in silent meditation.
"Agreed. But. If I see you trying to pull yer wanna be spiritual guide shit, you can bet that I will be on you quicklike. As far as I'm concerned, that belongs in silent meditation."
That is fine, but why do you feel the need to jump on me (or, more correctly, whom you suppose me to be), or anyone else, 'quicklike'? What qualifies you to judge or chide another, glen, and not even thinly disguise your animosity and/or revulsion toward their posts? You instantly reacted, projecting so many assumptions about what I was trying or not trying to do, where you could have simply voiced your disagreement and made your point.
If you recall, I did not ask you to accept anything on faith, but verify things for yourself (I feel very strongly that one should not take ANYTHING on belief, but verify everything, ESPECIALLY in 'spiritual' matters). You should also know that I have enough issues of my own to deal with, and do not wish to be anyone's guide. Nevertheless, I will speak my mind as I see fit, and will not be censored by emotion-filled comments, disapproval, or condemnation. Let people ignore the elephant in the room if they wish, but I'll continue to call it as I see it. I think we understand each another now. You do what you feel you have to and continue to attack my posts if you wish. That is your prerogative, even if a waste of valuable energy.
"There is no pleasing the fear that you may displease others."
-- Guy Finley
http://www.guyfinley.com
Even after this long heated exchange I wish you and yours a happy Thanksgiving. We all need more happiness and less stress, perhaps our exchange proves this more than anything else.
Be well.
I have consistently parsed and answered your posts. Each time you have done almost nothing to address my points. Rather you have deflected, and attempted to make this about me and my hostility.
Yes. I am hostile. Yes I am angry. But to take Mairead's quote perhaps out of context from that which she/he meant it, "E pur si muove."
My anger does not also negate the truths that I am addressing.
All intellectualism and philosophizing aside, as though it were some sort of pissing contest, there are actually real issues at hand. First spoken of in the article, and also addressed by me.
As is typical of privileged western leftism, this group would much rather talk about themselves and the "self work" they are doing, or even trying to show off their intellect by quoting supposed deep meaningful platitudes and referencing the "great philosophers" than to actually talk about the topic.
Or, (gasp!) actually take some direct action that has nothing to do with their own perceived personal wellness.
Again. Yes I am angry. My contention this whole time has been that perhaps more of us ought to be pissed off rather than to seek self centered solutions such as how can I feel more comfortable in the world while not really doing anything much to save it.
I have also found it quite fascinating that not only have none of my points been addressed, but that you seem to have argued me from a straw man perspective - that I cannot see the perilous position we are in and that i haven't yet recognized that our culture needs to change. This makes sense to me in that i feel you have not actually heard, perhaps even read what I have to say and perhaps are just used to the usual status quo argument with say, people of the likes of climate change deniers.
If this is true, it is even more ridiculous for you and others to suggest that you are present in being-ness.
This is not about Me, or how I feel. Nor is it about you, or how you feel. Us feeling at peace, when the world is under attack, would be dissociation. Like I have been saying.
Yet in all your mantra of being in the now, not once have you address this. This is what pisses me off. People who act like personal self growth is paramount to taking action in defense of the defenseless. It reprehensible. It is cowardice. No amount of lecturing or quoting the civilized standard greats can negate the fact that using these sources as proof that your methodology for radical change is sound, is nothing more than mental masturbation. Which of course if one orgasms, well, ecstacy sure feels good. So lets keep doing it.
Anger in the face of the current world condition seems an appropriate response. It is too bad that so many supposed open minded people are shut down and cannot even listen to what's being spoken to in these moments.
Anger does not always equal bad.
Happiness in the face of the current world condition - the search for inner peace under the contention that this need happen first prior to outward peace is what I have been in disagreement with. Your inner peace is not a primary concern to the natural world. Again, a point that you have consistently not spoken to.
Happiness does not always equal good.
In this light, I view your line of thinking to be not just insane, but even damaging as it only allows the continued devastation of the natural world, while you play at having some sort of real solution.
And the world still burns.
"Yet in all your mantra of being in the now, not once have you address this. This is what pisses me off. People who act like personal self growth is paramount to taking action in defense of the defenseless. It reprehensible. It is cowardice. No amount of lecturing or quoting the civilized standard greats can negate the fact that using these sources as proof that your methodology for radical change is sound, is nothing more than mental masturbation. Which of course if one orgasms, well, ecstacy sure feels good. So lets keep doing it."
Dear friend, to go into a knee-jerk action or reaction like you are now borders on being infantile. You seem to put all self-work in the same jar and label it it repulsive. The fact that you feel compelled to 'blast' another says much. The level of anger, revulsion, etc. show that you, yourself are quite identified and self-righteous. Newsflash glen: I do not need to justify myself to you or anyone else. You do not see that you are imprisoned by your own negative emotions--the object at present happens to be my posts, but it is clear that you are seething with anger and frustration, as well as using profanity to make your point. When you feel and/or act this way toward me or anyone else, is it not painful? And with this hostility you feel, are you bringing more peace and goodness to this miserable world or more pain? Promoting more of the war and battle mentality or less?
You do not seem to see that attacking anyone or anything is on the same level, regardless of the motive. The means and the ends are one. Anger begets anger, and hate begets hate, which ultimately leads to war when collectively shared. I do not support the do-gooder mentality (and false morality) of those who rage like you do, and blindly strike out at those with whom you do not agree. Inner work is not all fun and games, glen; quite the contrary, it means taking a hard look at oneself, and not justifying or condemning what one sees. Also, it does not preclude ACTING, quite the contrary; it requires much action and interaction, just not blind and ignorant action. You accuse me of being a coward here, but perhaps you are merely projecting what is mirrored in you. Everybody is avoiding or running from something, glen, what is it that you are running from?
The more you post, the more your own 'avoid-dance' becomes clear. I think in this exchange, you have made my point quite well. If I may suggest, don't worry so much about what others are doing or not doing, saying or not saying, but take a good long look at yourself. Perhaps, this exchange is showing you something about yourself that you do not want to see. You take care of your business, my friend, and I'll take care of mine.
Very well said, Glen.
I might be doing "chessgame56" a disservice (and I apologise if so), but, watching you trying to get something clear and unwrapped from him, I got very strong "playing for points" vibes. Very chess-gamey, actually!
His message seems to be different only in detail from the one I typically get from devout Marxists, who take the position that nothing can be done without first perfecting oneself through a solid grounding in theory obtained by reading Marx's works and the works of his disciples.
The dismissal that Nature will solve the problem even if we don't is both true and hideous. Anyone who says that is, as you say, dissociated on some level. It's like the ones who blythely talk about "can't make an omelet...". Anyone who wants me to be an egg in their omelet had better start thinking in terms of toast instead - either eating or becoming. I'm damned if I'm willing to see living creatures turned into some elite pillock's omelet, metaphorical or otherwise.
Sigh, how little both of you understand me. Self-work and outward action are not opposed to each other. Quite the contrary, one must put themselves out there, make themselves vulnerable to do it. Do you think it's easy to be pounded by others like this? My question is: as progressives--or so called progressives--do we beat up others with whom we disagree? Where is the compassion within that? I know living in this present day with all its evil, oppression, and exploitation is frustrating and often depressing, but to act blindly in ignorance is counterproductive and will just add to the overall misery. In fact, I know we must step out of our self-contentedness, posturing, and pretense to dispel the darkness and ignorance.
You, glen, and I, are our whole worlds, not worlds in isolation, but in RELATIONSHIP. I am not a coward in the sense you seem to think I am; I do not fawn or sugar-coat what I know to be true, though there are times I may withhold certain things when I deem them to be unkind, or will just make the situation worse. Agreed, my discernment is not always %100, but one can only be as honest as one can be, no? I am not a Marxist, conservative, or liberal. In fact, I really dislike labeling in general.
Everybody seems to want to pigeon-hole and define everyone else, and I find this quite objectionable. Whether you realize it or not, in doing that, you are attempting to limit another, cutting yourself off from them (which limits you as well), putting them in a mold or box YOU feel comfortable with. As human beings we have the potential to do and be so much more than our parental and social conditioning have told us we can do or be. We remain in an unconscious prison we were put into when we were very young, and most unconsciously act and react from that for the rest of their lives, never knowing what they could have known, or being what they could have been. And THAT to me seems one of the biggest tragedies of existence.
So think of me what you will, THIS is where I stand, and I make no apology for it.
What do you think you're accomplishing? Anything? Your responses don't look especially authentic to me, more like New-Age-y posturing. Lots of airy-fairy "I forgive you, you benighted soul mired in mud" longsuffering, but not much substance (if I've missed the substance, do please point it out to me).
You, know, I'm just putting it out there. If you noticed that in other discussions that I do not respond to many of your posts. Do you think that is by accident? There is a sensing (perhaps you have it as well) that discussing certain things with will be counterproductive (and we have proven this here, no?). There again, you want to label what I post as being 'new-age.' The new-age movement, in my view, has 'stolen' from many original disciplines, and claimed things for its own.
Maybe I am that poor soul, but at least I'm not a do-gooder hypocrite, who secretly seethes with animosity and resentment, while preaching tolerance.
You've judged my posts without perceiving any nuance in what has been said. You are like the many who use labels to marginalize others with whom you do not agree, while condemning those who do the same. That is nothing but self-righteous hypocrisy. If someone else does not follow your 'progressive' script to the letter, the negative labeling begins. And there is nothing original in that.
You say you've missed the substance? That it is all posturing? Well, then, there seems to be little more we have to discuss or say to one another. You go on polluting the water while believing you are cleaning it up. Just don't cry when you are required to drink it yourself. It will dispel that smug self-assurance.
There is nothing more for us to discuss in this or other threads, so I bid you farewell.
I've been in the world for awhile, and online since the mid-'70s, and have seen a lot of frauds, trolls, and similar low-life playing their games. Trolls have really nothing to say, so the more subtle ones say it in as vague, wordy, and even contradictory a way as possible. Never honestly responsive, their sole goal is to keep people wasting energy on them.
I'd bet money that you're a troll.
Gentlemen, very interesting exchange. It 'sounds' like both of you have been HERE and returned to the 'before'. Playing the 'right game' is usually indicative of frustration due to mental co opting of the experience of self,essence,being, all of those words that have no power anymore. Have you considered sharing your knowledge of the unknown with us instead of insisting it's NOT THAT, NOT THAT. I feel, that after reading your display of intellectual prowess, i have been denied love and grace, so inherent in the description of HERE.
True, sirios333, the exchange went on for longer than it should have, and perhaps I am to blame. That said, I was surprised that my initial post was taken so provocatively when I thought I was merely stating the obvious. Perhaps it seemed I was saying there was no 'hope' for mankind, while I was really saying we must change course [if there is to be any]. As I'm sure you know, simple truths can be upsetting. And once the reactions became visceral, the thread should have been ended. Additionally, this may not be the best forum to discuss inward matters, most seem to want to strive to change the world according to some preferred ideal, rather than work to understand and change themselves. Thus, I will likely be posting much less here in the future.
Be well, my friend, and have a happy 'thanksgiving' in whatever way you may celebrate.
And, I feel sometimes, that mindsets these show a certain laziness to try to confront and solve the problems facing us.
No, no, but we must be careful while expending energy running around to make things better, that we are not only making them worse. Work to more fully understand and transform yourself, and that will help you know when to cooperate and not to cooperate. It is self-illusion that prevents us from living in harmony with the world at large. An example is clinging to any belief--aren't we immediately at odds with those who hold the opposite belief?
This article brings to mind many of the same premises advanced by Derrick Jensen. The destructive result of resource importantion and exportation is but one example. Unfortunately, given the objective reality that we face in the West:
We are seeing a comprehensive failure of leadership in every sector and every level of American life - in politics, business, banking, education, news media, medicine, and the clergy. All are determined to pretend that we can somehow continue the habits and behaviors of the pre peak oil era. They are all unwilling to face reality, and are all engaged in mutually supporting each other's dangerous fantasies.
[this last bit was borrowed from James Kunstler's latest comment on his blog, dated 11/23/2009]
Hello, knock knock...
We have a global economic system that must have continuous growth to survive, (which means consumerism and resource extraction = pollution), costs to the environment, to human health, and well-being are seen as externalities, that get in the way of maximizing profit (its goal), rival powers must kept in check via your military industrial complex and,
we have a finite planet, species going extinct everyday, starvation etc etc.
It's called CAPITALISM. It is THE problem. Knock, knock!
Even many "environmentally" minded folks in the US are brainwashed to think that there is some magical techno-fix for the upcoming crisis.
NO
You have to hang your clothes to dry.
Take a 1 minute shower. Water TURNED OFF as soon as you are wet, while you soap up.
STOP flushing for every goddam 4 ounce piss. You are not that precious, darling. And you don't have to be insane...
Turn down the freaking thermostat in the winter. Be prouder the lower you can get it. Jimmy Carter was right, wear a sweater.
WALK or BIKE somewhere that you need to go.
And also do that on your way to get some garden seeds. Lawns are not so great anyway.
Lose ALL of that useless junk. You have a sh**load of it anyway. It never made you happy.
INSIST on a train system, finally, after more than half a century of atrophy.
Lose the constant meat in your meals. How flipping boring anyway.
And on and on.
But nobody thinks their individual actions, small or large, matter. WAKE UP!!!! This is not a TV show! REAL REALITY is here when you are ready for it! Are you media trained robots?
kw
I agree. I believe it is in the end up to us people. I would add: Get out of debt as soon as you can and don't overspend anymore, don't have a credit card.
This might be the only option anyway. Appealing to politicians does not yield any real success. There is the misconception that politicians are in charge and decision-makers. In reality they are facilitators between pressure groups and stage a play to keep everybody occupied, mostly awful plays on a bad stage about entirely meaningless issues.
And the big corporations will be the last ones to change course. So we need massive economic disobidience.
It is also not the point how much one person can achieve, it is about knowing what's right and just doing it. Let's align our doing with what we know is right.
Ah, we all had a quite lively debate about this after a Derrick Jensen article a little while ago :-)
Was that the article that advised us that individual actions don't make a difference?
Yep that was it. I think the arguments lasted over a week.
sometimes, positive, personal action, on any one of several fronts, is what keeps me sane, even accepting the limitations of impact...sometimes, I give myself a break, but, then, after a bit, I've got to keep trying to improve, somehow...then there's always self-maintenance, continuing what's working well...
one day, personal change will be precisely what's required...the difference is in the concerted nature of the effort...everybody attemtping to do things independently, and rather randomly, is not the same as everyone taking a big shot together, as a team, around the world, at the same time...supporting each other and assisting one another...working toward common efforts...
thanks...
oh right and what a surprise no kidding really? who us? over consuming? who could ever have guessed?
you know it is going to be very hard to stop runaway capitalist fundamentalism from driving us all off the cliff. we really need to get a grip and stop acting so dumb. everyone knows what's happening. we need to try to stay focused on what we will need to do. And especially what we need to stop doing.
What's the problem? Last time I checked, it was determined there are millions of Earths out there... somewhere...
All we gotta do is find 5 more, get there, and start sucking the life out of em. How hard could that be?
I just saw a new documentary which won best Feature at the Colorado Environmental Film Festival, http://www.thegreatsqueeze.com
Highly recommended, it pulls together the main pieces of the resource puzzle. I bought a license to show it at my Unitarian Universalist church and would encourage people to do so as well. Identifying the problem and showing how they interact is a prerequisite for action.
Why is it always 'Mankind' thats at fault ? Why not explicitly point out the biggest culprits ... the West. Given how completely disproportionate our per-capita emissions are in comparison to the East, its duplicitous to blame all of Mankind for the alarming rate of resource consumption.
please to understand, world being run as big, single unit...
historically, western money buys western product...western country allows devastation of natural resources, toxification of environment, and use of expensive, union labor to facilitate manufacture of product...high wages allow workers to purchase many products...
western devastation and toxicity become issues, as illnesses and deaths and birth defects begin to present...
western company looks around for help...helpful eastern country offers devastation of natural resources and toxification of environment and use of cheap, young labor to facilitate manufacture of product...toxicity be damned...and global...
what is happening right now is swing around...broke western country borrowing eastern money to buy eastern product...soon, east no need west...soon, new eastern wage money buy plenty eastern product, and buy plenty western country...western country starting to consider resumption of devastating, toxic manufacturing to bolster economy sagging due to no manufacturing jobs...bad idea...
best idea is no manufacturing...same wind blow poison west to east blow it back again, east to west...
neither west, nor east, there is: africa...posterchild of exploitation...
so many things we must learn to live without...
This is a great comment. Now we are getting the picture.
The population of the planet increases at three additiona people per second.
Spay and Neuter your heterosexuals.
It's such a sad thing to see them roamin the streets without a home and food.
"Spay and Neuter your heterosexuals."
Does that include homosexuals as well?
We also need "leash laws" for many of them.
thanks, I'm still laughing!
Was there any mention of reducing population?
There will never be an equal distribution of resources, greed and karma will see to that. The only remaining course of action is to reduce population.
Pick your method.
1- voluntary [ yeah right]
2- start a third world war
3- let nature handle it, global warming, disease, pollution, no food or water etc.
I'm betting on a combination of #2 & 3
4- vote conservative Democrats out of office
Please take a couple of minutes and send an email to protest the buldozing of the Ayoreo-Totobiegosode stolen lands for cattle – although the Paraguayan constitution guarantees Indian land ownership, the Ayoreo’s land has almost all been taken over by ranchers, forcing them out of their forest and making it very difficult for them to support themselves.
http://www.survivalinternational.org/actnow/writealetter/ayoreo?utm_source=E-news+%28English%29&utm_ca...
The governments need to know that the world is watching
this land was made for you and me
so we can do with it what ever we will
God said
Well, if the designated First World countries do not want to change their life-style consumption habits, and everyone in the designated Third World wants to buy a BMW or a Mercedes Benz, then will occur:
A.Economic growth
B.Ecological catastrophe
C.More war
D.All of the above
"Humanity would need five Earths to produce the resources needed if everyone lived as profligately as Americans, according to a report issued Tuesday."
Uh, this is news? I first heard this a few years ago.
...we are too menny...
from the article:
we will require the resources of two planets to meet our demands by the early 2030s
funny how this statement still implies human need and human control are the primary factors for defining regions of thought...'we will require', indeed...
the statement reversed:
by 2030, there will only be resources for half of us, given today's consumption...
this paints a clearer picture...competition amid devastation...even at that, I find these statements misleading, as many things, including, and affecting, consumption, will change between now and then, and not all of them will be voluntary, or even human-driven...
nevertheless, current human practices are suicidal, and must be arrested, and very shortly...
Global Start Date: September 22, 2012...
How quickly will China and India catch up to the US standard of "living." Truly scary scenario unfolding. My kids will have to live with this, but we need to figure out how to solve this in the next 5-10 years.