I hear the conversation more and more. What is sustainability and who defines it? What does it mean to be truly green? Who sets the standards? How are green and sustainable related?
I have opinions on all of the above and will probably comment on them in future posts… They are all important…but isn’t the question really bigger?
I have this gnawing feeling that we are not asking the right questions. We’re not looking back far enough to see the casues of how we (collectively…the greater planet “we”) got here. I tried to write about this back in 2001, but found myself ill equipped.
Lot’s of smarter and better informed people than me have written about it. I have a feeling that there are 2 or 3 keys.
1. We don’t generally connect the dots. EVERYTHING is connected. It is a system, however we are not taught to think in this context. Because:
a.) it is hard, and
b.) it is dangerous. God forbid the average joe (or joline) should have an original thought!
2. Westerners and particularly Americans are dumbed down. We’re over stimulated and over entertained, but do under informed…because:
a.) mass media is no longer objective or deeply critical in its thinking, and
b.) we are essentially lazy and would prefer to be told what to think rather than search for the info, wade through the muck and determine what is right for ourselves. It is too easy to listen to the talking heads of politicians, pundits and pulpits. (I love the 3 p’s…isn’t there a writing term for the use of the running consonants? But I digress…)
3. When I started writing this I had a #3, but it is 5 in the morning and I’ve been up since 4. and I cannot remember. So why don;t you tell me what you think? I’d love to hear your perspective.
(By the way, a DIFFERENT dear friend than “blog-bitch”, whom I call Sassy Pants tells me that I am up at 4 in the morning because I am in menopause and should never expect to have another full night’s sleep without the help of a happy little pill. Nice. I happen to to be a 45 year old man. What did I do to deserve this? Where is the love? I think need a new crew. However, considering #3 above, I may have to give her opinion further consideration…especially since I seem to be writing in outlines, typing bleary eyed before first light and refusing to turn the mirror around that I love to point toward everyone else. No wonder we hate critical thinking. It hurts.)
