Another Patel

If an Alien anthropologist (maybe from…Pandora??) came to Earth, and studied western civilization, they would see many wonderful things. And if the measure of success was technological achievement, we would come out with flying colors. And they would probably say that we we’re an exceptional society.

But if they looked at the social system, what would they say??

• They say they revere marriage, but over half the marriages end in divorce.
• They say they love their elders, but only 6% of American homes have elders in the same roof as grandchildren.
• They say they love their family, but they work relentlessly within in a society that not only admires that trait, but a business world that demands it. Should it be a surprise that the average American child have consumed over 2 years worth of television programming before they are 18
• They are a society that acts remarkably self important, while putting 400 million tons of toxic waste in its environment.
• They rip down ancient rainforests, tears holes in the heavens, depopulate the oceans, and damage the bio physics of the atmosphere.

It is amazing to me how people miss the great lesson of climate change. It should teach us that we are not the ideal of humanity’s potential.

Climate change is humanity’s problem, that is certain, but it was not all of humanity who created the problem. It is important to remember that it was various small subsets of humanity, who had a particular worldview, and who thinks of that world view as being absolute. As if it as the “real world” and everyone else is failing to keep up with us or something. But other societies are not failed attempts at all, they are simply alternatives.

And you would think that, if anything, the fact that we brought on this climate crisis (and we did!), that it would give us a little bit of humility about the impact we’ve had on the planet.

We have a world system that is made up of independent individuals, corporations and nations, each of whom acts in their own self-interest with little regard and no responsibility for the common good. And because of this, local and global economies convert natural capital into manufactured and financial capital without taking into account environmental or social costs.

This attitude can be seen clearly in the way we act. Individuals and corporations are more interested in short term profits than long term social benefits, productive farmland is sold to commercial developers, ancient forests are clear cut and jobs are outsourced overseas. These failures are purely structural; they are the direct result of a system that makes governments accountable only to their own citizens, and of a corporate system that makes executives accountable only to their shareholders. This is the root cause of all of our problems: because no government or corporation is responsible for common resources or collective problems; the air is polluted, water is contaminated, rainforests are destroyed, stocks of wild fish are depleted and millions of refugees are left stateless.

It makes sense that governments have trouble taking action on global warming, global poverty, and world peace because national interests often conflict with global interests. And no one is responsible for the planet. The closest organization we have is the United Nations which has a global responsibility, but no independent authority.

The irony (or maybe its just unfortunate?) is that we live in an increasingly interconnected world. The CO2 emissions of one country affect ever other country. Economic crises in one country immediately affect global stock markets. Wars in one region affect the security of countries on the other side of the globe. However although we have a global system, it is not responsible or accountable for the people of the world. Its worldview, values and social structures are not designed to ensure the welfare of either the environment or the majority of the world’s population [this was the irony I was referring too...I think?]

The Point = The only REAL issues in this world are those that are common to all people.

“This wireless music box has no imaginable commercial value. Who would pay for a message sent to nobody in particular?”

- David Sarnoff’s, founder of NBC, in response to a possible investment in Radio in the 1920’s

Problem: Failure of Imagination

“Who the hell wants to hear actors talk?”

- Harry M. Warner, Warner Bros, 1927

Problem: Not Knowing Your Customers

“The ‘telephone’ has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered a means of communication”

- Western Union Internal Memo, 1876

Problem: Tunnel Vision

“There is no reason for any individuals to have a computer in their home”

- Ken Olsen, President, Chairman and Founder of Digital Equip. Corp., 1977

Problem: Missing Applications

“Heavier-than-air flying machines are impossible”

- Lord Kelvin, President, Royal Society 1895

Problem: Understanding of Physics

“Airplanes are interesting toys but of no military value”

- Marshall Ferdinand Foch, French Military Strategist, 1911

Problem: Tunnel Vision

“Everything that can be invented has been invented.”

- Charles H. Duell, Commissioner, U.S. Office of Patents, 1899

Problem: Underestimating people

$100 million dollars is way too much to pay for Microsoft.”

- IBM, 1982

Problem: Not recognizing value

Paul Hawken: Commencement Address to the Class of 2009
University of Portland, May 3rd, 2009

When I was invited to give this speech, I was asked if I could give a simple short talk that was “direct, naked, taut, honest, passionate, lean, shivering, startling, and graceful.” No pressure there.

Let’s begin with the startling part. Class of 2009: you are going to have to figure out what it means to be a human being on earth at a time when every living system is declining, and the rate of decline is accelerating. Kind of a mind-boggling situation… but not one peer-reviewed paper published in the last thirty years can refute that statement. Basically, civilization needs a new operating system, you are the programmers, and we need it within a few decades.

This planet came with a set of instructions, but we seem to have misplaced them. Important rules like don’t poison the water, soil, or air, don’t let the earth get overcrowded, and don’t touch the thermostat have been broken. Buckminster Fuller said that spaceship earth was so ingeniously designed that no one has a clue that we are on one, flying through the universe at a million miles per hour, with no need for seatbelts, lots of room in coach, and really good food—but all that is changing.

There is invisible writing on the back of the diploma you will receive, and in case you didn’t bring lemon juice to decode it, I can tell you what it says: You are Brilliant, and the Earth is Hiring. The earth couldn’t afford to send recruiters or limos to your school. It sent you rain, sunsets, ripe cherries, night blooming jasmine, and that unbelievably cute person you are dating. Take the hint. And here’s the deal: Forget that this task of planet-saving is not possible in the time required. Don’t be put off by people who know what is not possible. Do what needs to be done, and check to see if it was impossible only after you are done.

read more…

It used to amaze me that climate change is not considered more of a global emergency by the governments of the world. But if one (well me, in this case, cause i don’t think anyone reads these posts) were to really think about it…it makes perfect sense because of….[place drum roll here]…VESTED INTERESTS

For years, pro-growth lobby groups have done an exceptional job at downplaying the dangers of climate change and blocking environmental initiatives. The companies and governments that have strongly opposed limiting atmospheric pollution are the ones with the most to lose from programs that encourage  energy conservation and using alternative fuels. Maybe you’ve heard of some of these: Exxon, GM, and Saudi Arabia.

And even with the great power and influence of the fossil fuel industry, the evidence on climate change has been overwhelming, and the majority of the public understands that this is an issue. Unfortunately, most governments and businesses around the world still value political, military, and economic expansion more than environmental conservation. As a result, this is our reality:

Governments spend much more on…

research for increasing industrial output than on reducing global warming.

developing new weapons than on developing new sources of energy.

more subsidizing polluting industries than clean industries.

expanding unsustainable types of agriculture than on developing sustainable alternatives.

treating illnesses than on supporting health.

waging war than on building peace.

MISSING LINK = GUIDED POLITICAL WILL AND ACTION

I’ve been doing a lot of research on comedy lately because I have a strong interest in the subject and have always wanted to learn more. Here are some things I have learned about what it is that makes us laugh. And surprisingly enough, I don’t think this is going to be a very funny post (underpromising to overdeliver?)….

2 primary  reasons we laugh:

Out of surprise.

We laugh most oftern to cover our feelings of embarrassment. This can be a result of either having unintentionally done or said something foolish, or having been tricked. If we have been tricked, we have been surprised. Surprise is one of the  most universally accepted formulas for humor. A joke is  a story, and surprise ending is usually its finale. Appreciation of any piece of humor decreases rapidly through repeated exposure, or when the ending is predictable. A clever use of words will gain appreciation from an audience but surprise wordplay leads to sincere laughter. We smile at wit, but we laugh at jokes.

When we feel superior.

As a modern day society, we seem to have a strong and constant need to feel superior. And in many ways, humor satisfies this most basic of needs.

Humor is a reaction to tragedy. The joke is at someone else’s expense.

Humor often ridicules the intelligence, social standing, and physical and mental infirmities of those we consider inferior to ourselves.

But even those we might consider “superior” to ourselves are not spared. People, especially Americans, love to publicize and mock every shortcoming - perceived or real - of people who are in positions of authority, who are richer, more famous, more intelligent, physically stronger, or more admired. The greater the prestige of the victim, the greater our desire to make fun of them.

Humor is social criticism. Humor reassure the insecure. Even if we believe ourselves to be the “haves” (having power, money, knowledge, or prestige), there is exceptional insecurity about how we got it and how long we’re going to keep it. In my opinion, Americans have a tremendous sense of inferiority, but we mask it with jokes about our superiority.

There are 2 ways to feel superior. The first is to accomplish something great and receive public acclaim for your work. But that might be too hard for most. The second way (and easier one) is to publicly criticize the achievements of others. This not only diminishes their prestige, but it also forces people to pay attention to us. This maybe the more unethical option, but do you know how hard it is to actually do something important in this world!?

So as individuals (regardless of status), our humor is generally directed upwards against more authoritative figures. But as a group, our humor is directed downward toward groups that don’t conform to our social, religious, or national ideals.

6 secondary reasons we laugh:

1. Out of instinct
2. At incongruity
   
3. Out of ambivalence
   
4. For release (ie. to break tension)
   
5. To regress
   
6. When we solve something

I’ll elaborate on these reasons soon…until then, try and figure out why this cat was arrested?

I just read a great post on my buddy Amish’s blog about the emotional benefit that people gain from purchasing a product or service:

Here are 37 Emotional Benefits:

These were derived via extensive quantitative research with thousands of consumers, a panel of psychologists, and marketing consultants who specialized in assessing emotional purchase motivation. Taken together, the list is probably the best representation of the full spectrum of human needs which can be met by purchasing a given product or service.

1. Feeling Loved: Feeling Loved implies that a person has a satisfactory number of significant attachments in his or her life from whom (s)he receives an adequate amount of emotional nourishment on a daily basis

2. Feeling Attractive: Having a strong level of comfort with one’s physical being. Knowing that one is pleasant to look at and able to draw attention by virtue of one’s physical presence. (Note: ‘Feeling Sexy’ … the specific ability to attract a desired sexual partner, is a special kind of attractiveness, which is rated separately)

3. Sense of Adventure: Interested in exciting and remarkable experiences, sometimes involving unknown danger and risk.
Rising to the challenge, exploring new territory, feeling excited about new leanings, new experiences, etc.

4. Feeling Financially Secure: Believing one has adequate money to take care of the majority of their BASIC needs and desires in the present and in the future. Feeling Financially Secure is different than Feeling Affluent or Wealthy – which means one believes they have enough money to buy WHATEVER they desire (more than basic needs and wishes) and has more money than one could reasonably spend.

5. Sense of Accomplishment: Seeing progressive evidence in one’s life that particular worthwhile goals are being sought after and achieved.

6. Feeling Caring or Nurturing: Interested in providing emotional, physical, financial, or spiritual support to others, warmly enjoying the process of doing so.

7. Being Altruistic: Able to sacrifice oneself for the benefit of society. To forgo one’s own gratification in favor of the interest of others whose well-being will not enhance one’s own.

8. Being Assertive: Able to stand up for and strive to obtain one’s own interests, especially given the presence of difficult people who stand in the way.

9. Feeling Brave or Courageous: Being willing to face risk and danger for the purpose of obtaining a positive benefit (when it is judged to be beneficial and wise to take the risk). (Being willing to face risk and danger without judgment is ‘foolhardiness’).

10. Feeling Creative: Interested in and able to UNIQUELY express oneself in words, behavior, or the arts.

11. Excitement or Liveliness: Having a strong sense of being alive, having the energy and interest to partake of all life has to offer.

12. Feeling Fair, Just, or Ethical: Marked by impartiality and honesty. Able to make judgments free from self-interest, prejudice, or favoritism. Interested in upholding these principles.

13. Feeling Luxurious or Pampered: The belief that one has enough resources at hand to enable splurging on things that are understood to be unnecessary DESIRES as opposed to essential NEEDS.

14. Feeling Healthy: Having confidence in one’s physical well being, strength, and ability to avoid disease and illness.

15. Feeling Athletic: Having confidence in one’s physical strength, stamina, flexibility, and ability to meet various physical challenges. (Especially sports, but also non-competitive physical challenges)

read more…

4 trends that will shape our generation and our world:

A Lot of Baby Making Music

The human population is now 6.5 billion and will likely crest at 9 or 10 billion. One-and-a-half billion live in the most abject poverty, while another billion live in considerable wealth. One billion suffer from the afflictions of eating too much while others suffer from malnutrition. When I was a graduate student at Penn the ratio of richest to poorest was said to be 35:1. It is now approaching 100:1 and growing. The problem of a more crowded world is not just about what ecologists call carrying capacity of the Earth. It also a problem of justice with more and more people competing for less and less.

No One is Playing Outside

We spend upwards of 95 percent of our time in houses, cars, malls, and offices. We are becoming an indoor species increasingly shut off from sky, land, forests, waters, and animals. Nature, as a result, is becoming more and more an abstraction to us. The problem is most severe for children who now spend up to eight hours each day before a television or computer screen and less and less time outdoors in nature. There is even a term for this, call  “nature deficit disorder” — the loss of our sense of rootedness in place and connection to the natural world. In some future time, it is not unreasonable to think that disconnected and rootless, we would might trigger a fundamental change in our reality, which could lead to a spiritual crisis for which there is no precedent.

Peak Oil

A third fact has been particularly difficult for a society built on the foundation of cheap portable fossil fuels to acknowledge. We are at or near the year of peak oil extraction, the point at which we will have consumed the easy and better half of the accessible oil. The other half is harder to refine, farther out, and deeper down, and mostly located in places where people do not like us. We are not likely to run out of oil or liquid fossil fuels from one source or another, but we are nearing the end of the era of cheap oil. We have known this for decades, but we still have no coherent or farsighted energy policy. In the meantime the penalty for procrastination grows daily along with the risks of supply interruptions and volatile energy prices.

A Saturated CO2 Market

Global warming is mainly the result of CO2 levels rising in the Earth’s atmosphere. Both atmospheric CO2 and climate change are accelerating. The current level of all human-generated heat-trapping gases is 385 parts per million CO2. And scientists say that 350 parts per million CO2 in the atmosphere is the safe limit for humanity so, scientifically speaking, this is no good. Also, most experts agree that we have years, not decades, to stabilize CO2 and other greenhouse gases. At this rate, we are not just warming the Earth, but we are on a path to destabilize the entire planet.

In Summation,

One has to do with justice, fairness, and decency in a more crowded world.

The second has to do with the largeness of the human spirit and our capacity to connect to life.

The third has to do with our wisdom and creativity in the face of limits to the biosphere.

The last is about human survival on a hotter and less stable and predictable planet.