This is a good article. One of very few that I have come across that really scratches the surface of what needs to be done, what sacrifices will have to be made, what the future might look like etc. I think the entire world, including me, is hoping that if they keep on working, earning money, and saving, that in future they will be able to have (at least) security, maybe more material comfort, and maybe escape the treadmill they have to run on day after day. This ponzi hope is all pervasive.
I really struggle to imagine the future for the west, except to recall visits developing countries based around peasant agriculture, and worry slightly as I am not very good with either oxen or buffaloes.
Something extraordinary, unplanned and unexpected has to happen if we're to get out of this predicament. I don't know what that will be, but I know it's possible. More and more of us are living in the post - transition paradigm in one way or another. There is an inner tipping point, both individually and collectively. The process is underway, moving very rapidly. Who knows what will happen?
Good question. I wonder about tapping into the very human needs of all of us that are being denied right now: community, connection, trust. One of the things I'm thinking of is an activist peace choir that prints the words to songs of peace and transition on flyers and invites people to join in singing. Could build and show up at events. Here's an example of one peace choir: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKKRVeCdX7I&ab_channel=ThriveEastBay I know this isn't a direct action, but it could bring people together so we can get more people involved in taking action.
Well THAT hits the nail on the head! My only quibble is that I think it's silly to name a specific number of years we have to turn things around. Obviously, we've already blown past the limits that could have stopped major destruction (from climate change AND biodiversity loss etc), and on the other hand even if we continue to do nothing real through 2032, it will still be better to act at that point than to keep our collective foot on the gas pedal till we go over the cliff. I suppose it's helpful in galvanizing people to give them a deadline, but it's arbitrary. Also--I use the word "fracked" as my substitute word--it names an ugly, destructive act whereas the censored word arguably names a pleasurable and loving one.
After writing what I did in this little essay, I realized that Wikipedia's article on philosophy of culture was extraordinarily bad -- to the point of uselessness. So I added an "Afternote" to the original article. Please see that note for explanation.
This is a good article. One of very few that I have come across that really scratches the surface of what needs to be done, what sacrifices will have to be made, what the future might look like etc. I think the entire world, including me, is hoping that if they keep on working, earning money, and saving, that in future they will be able to have (at least) security, maybe more material comfort, and maybe escape the treadmill they have to run on day after day. This ponzi hope is all pervasive.
I really struggle to imagine the future for the west, except to recall visits developing countries based around peasant agriculture, and worry slightly as I am not very good with either oxen or buffaloes.
Something extraordinary, unplanned and unexpected has to happen if we're to get out of this predicament. I don't know what that will be, but I know it's possible. More and more of us are living in the post - transition paradigm in one way or another. There is an inner tipping point, both individually and collectively. The process is underway, moving very rapidly. Who knows what will happen?
Good question. I wonder about tapping into the very human needs of all of us that are being denied right now: community, connection, trust. One of the things I'm thinking of is an activist peace choir that prints the words to songs of peace and transition on flyers and invites people to join in singing. Could build and show up at events. Here's an example of one peace choir: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKKRVeCdX7I&ab_channel=ThriveEastBay I know this isn't a direct action, but it could bring people together so we can get more people involved in taking action.
Well THAT hits the nail on the head! My only quibble is that I think it's silly to name a specific number of years we have to turn things around. Obviously, we've already blown past the limits that could have stopped major destruction (from climate change AND biodiversity loss etc), and on the other hand even if we continue to do nothing real through 2032, it will still be better to act at that point than to keep our collective foot on the gas pedal till we go over the cliff. I suppose it's helpful in galvanizing people to give them a deadline, but it's arbitrary. Also--I use the word "fracked" as my substitute word--it names an ugly, destructive act whereas the censored word arguably names a pleasurable and loving one.
Those who want to see what sort of conversation this essay is stirring up may want to check out the comments following the article here: https://www.resilience.org/stories/2022-09-29/global-emissions-must-drop-by-50-by-2030/
After writing what I did in this little essay, I realized that Wikipedia's article on philosophy of culture was extraordinarily bad -- to the point of uselessness. So I added an "Afternote" to the original article. Please see that note for explanation.
https://rword.substack.com/p/energy-descent-and-campus-life-part