"Rattling The Establishment‘s Cage: Short Essays & Notes on Unorthodox Views of...

 Environment, Economics, Ethics, Politics, War, Spirituality, and More"

The hardcover format of my third book is now available.  Paperback version will be out within a few days.  I'll try to get the eBook up and running within two weeks.  This book contains many of the most-read posts from this blog.  Here's the book's Description on Amazon---  [there's a link below the Description]

My primary academic and practical interests in a relatively long life have been (and still are) in the subjects of ecology, agriculture, economics, politics, and ethics. For this third book - which is a fairly short and easy read - I've included secondary interests as well. See the book's subtitle for the additional subjects. Also take notice of the words UNORTHODOX VIEWS in the subtitle. For the most part, you will not find these ideas in the mainstream, corporate media. The "Establishment" seems to prefer to ignore such concepts. For example, are you aware of the following? Twenty countries (including the USA) have agreed to expand fossil fuel production for twenty-six more years. Details are in this book. Another example: Are you aware that in only the last thirty years we've used more energy than in the previous 150 years, and why we must transition from a high-energy-use society to one of low-energy use? You won't find that in the Establishment's public information output, but you will in this book.

For multiple decades, the Establishment (both public and private) has been wildly successful in influencing us to accept concepts, policies, and actions which favor the Upper Crust of society at our expense. But in the last ten years or so, everyday working people have decided enough is enough. Genuine change is in the Big Picture now, and education - both formal and informal - is the key. This short book can help to overcome the Establishment propaganda, and point the way to a sustainable and meaningful existence.

Many of these essays were written for a blog I’ve maintained since 2007, IndividualSovereignty.blogspot.com; others were penned this year, 2024, and are not on the blog as of this writing. All have been written by me (no A.I.), are some of the most popular on the blog, and all were edited for this book. Each essay is on its own page (some are two or three pages in length), and for context, I’ve included the year it was written.

https://www.amazon.com/Rattling-Establishments-Cage-Environment-Spirituality/dp/B0D258YK58/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2RHAX2MAHFJMF&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.wBx0AXWwliw6AIX3UriJ-Q.XKisvXnGAbI93CJd9U3zKaklPIVVI-fDNisvcLUmp0g&dib_tag=se&keywords=Rattling+The+Establishment%27s+Cage%3A+Short+Essays+and+Notes+by+Scott+C.+Haley&qid=1714283549&s=books&sprefix=rattling+the+establishment%27s+cage+short+essays+and+notes+by+scott+c.+haley%2Cstripbooks%2C134&sr=1-1

OR---

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D258YK58?ref_=pe_93986420_774957520

OR---

If neither link works, In the Search box at the top of any Amazon page, select the  category "Books", and in the box type "Scott C. Haley" (no quote marks are needed).  All three of my works should appear.

.......................

Thanks for your consideration.  Be Well 

Science does not deal in Absolutes when it comes to the conclusions of research studies

 In my education and work, I've been involved in various aspects of science for a bit more than five decades.  Over time, it seems more and more people have developed a serious misconception regarding research in almost all fields of science.

When it comes to the conclusions of a study (not the measurements leading up to conclusions), Science and scientists usually deal in degrees of probability, not certainty.  In other words, science is not absolute.  Why?  There are too many unknown variables to be accounted for in any scientific investigation.  Because of that, when new discoveries are made in a particular area of research, the previous theory is likely to be modified or even discarded.  With new research, past conclusions often change. We should never forget:  for a long time, it was believed to be a "fact" that the Sun revolved around the Earth.  After all, anyone could SEE it happening every day.  "Proof" positive.  :)

New discoveries by the super-telescope, the orbiting "James-Webb-Space-Telescope" (JWST, launched in 2021), are debunking our concept of Space-Time.  Specifically, Time (as we perceive it) now appears to be nonexistent, an illusion made-up by humans.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IS5y5uFQ_c

In addition, these new findings question the "fact" of a single Big Bang creating the universe. That "absolute" now is being re-considered in depth.  Furthermore, repeated cycles of creation and destruction of the entire universe - in line with Vedic philosophy & the Upanishads - appear to be likely.  [Scientists don't mention anything about the Vedas, but that's what they're now considering.]   Also, the new info suggests the probability that existence is one big NOW, i.e., the past, present, and future all exist at once.

This is Science at its best - past "facts" being challenged by new discoveries.

So, ancient wisdom may be ahead of modern-day cosmologists.  In any case, the new discoveries of the JWST are strongly suggesting that the human concept of TIME is all wrong.

People should not lose belief in Science just because it deals in degrees of probability (regarding conclusions of a study) rather than absolute certainty.  Not even scientists are all-knowing.  A number of theoretical physicists have stated:  humans barely have scratched only the surface of Reality. 

................

Not only my opinion.  Be Well

Speaking Truth to Power: Dr. Peter Kalmus

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rJHlFME480

Spend 3.33 minutes and watch Dr. Kalmus speak Truth to Power.  What the Powers-That-Be are doing is "insanity".  [Perhaps it should be characterized as on the brink of insanity, or outrageously ignorant.  Whatever the case, it's extremely harmful to all life on Earth.]

In the USA, the Democrats are almost as bad as the Republicans.  The Dems talk-the-talk better than the Repubs, but rarely do they ever walk-the-walk.  Maybe when the Food Crisis gets worse (probably within ten years) they'll be forced to do so in high gear.

When Dems say they "follow the Science", they mean medical science, not ecology or climatology.  Too bad for us.  When everything continues to get worse, hopefully that will change.

..................

Not only my opinion.  Take Care

Here's the only reasonable choice at the ballot box

Below is an email I recently sent my son, his family, and a few others.  It's slightly edited---

Sorry to hear you're under a heat dome.  It's a tragedy that as things worsen, most people appear to still continue with the belief that our society can hang onto biz as usual in terms of our way of living.

Within 10 years, 120 degrees will not be uncommon.  It may be worse than that if we don't start treating the situation as a genuine emergency.  The world's best scientists know what needs to be done (a couple hundred of them were cited in the References section of my first book), & close to none of it is being done.

Everything must change...ASAP.  Such is politically unacceptable, so politicians engage in Greenwashing, and tout their actions...

which are almost totally inadequate.

The best thing every voter could do in the political realm would be to vote for the Green Party.  Because of rampant propaganda (and the control the Republicrats/Demopublicans have over ballot-access Laws AND debates), that won't happen.

         In terms of policies & a Party Platform, the Green Party is head & shoulders above both the Repubs AND the Dems.  That's particularly true in the areas of environmental protection, economics, and foreign policy.  Be sure to watch this clip... (it's short) 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6pN6x6pGwA

Dr. Cornel West (a brilliant philosopher & class struggle activist) describes the Dem Party to a tee, back then & still true today.  The Dem Party is a corporatist disaster.

[It's looking like West will be the Green Party's nominee to run for Pres. next year.  His political philosophy is equal to, or maybe even better than, that of Bernie Sanders.  Plus, he understands neoliberalism better than most national politicians.] 

Hang in There

......................... 

Not only my opinion.  Be Well

Biden's response to the climate emergency is a tragic joke

 https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jul/27/joe-biden-climate-emergency-peter-kalmus

Follow the science, Mr. President, and that doesn't mean only the medical science.  I'm sure you've heard of physics, climatology, and ecology.  Dr. Kalmus explains what they are telling you in the essay at the link above.  Pay attention!

.....................

Not only my opinion.  Be Well

For any new readers here,

at the link below you'll find my bona fides---

https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BVJMMWLG/about

Also, some of you may have noticed that recently my book received a 1-Star review on Amazon.  I'm not concerned about the 1-Star rating because as the old saying goes, you can't please all the people all the time.  Plus, everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

What I must comment on, though, are the two blatant lies in the review.  According to the reviewer, 

1)  the book is "climate denial", which is so false it's laughable; and

2)  the book is "anti-scientific", which also is false.

I've been steeped in science ever since the early 1960's, in academia, government employment, and environmental work in the private sector.  The book reflects that with specific examples.

I have no idea which specific ax this reviewer has to grind with me, but again, I don't mind critical, contrary opinions...as long as no falsehoods are involved.  Number 1) above is completely refuted by only two pages in my book, 37-38, and pretty much refuted in several other places.  Number 2) above is refuted by almost the entire book.  Just so you know.

..................

Be Well

The most important ontological issue ever faced by humans,

 and how we deal with it will determine the degree to which we create a sustainable existence for ourselves and our descendants.

The link below will take you to an open access book.  It's free, no cost to you at all, and published by Springer Nature, Switzerland.  You can download it either as a pdf or epub file.  In both cases, the Table of Contents has active links to each topic.

There's also the option to buy a hardcover copy.  It's pricey.  You may want to see if a used copy is available at Thriftbooks.com

https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-99031-2

Based on my half-century-long study of ecology and human impact 

on the environment, I contend that this book is one of the most 

important ever written.  Some people steeped in formal religion, or 

science, or both, might find it outrageous.  Hopefully, they also will be 

open-minded enough to at least consider the concepts presented.

..................

Be Well

"Paper Straws Are Not Enough..." - Necessary Precursors to Solving Our Existential Threats

 https://www.democracynow.org/2022/7/21/heat_wave_europe_climate_crisis_extreme

George Monbiot is right on the mark.  "Only 'System Change' Can Halt Climate Crisis."

Paper straws, recycling aluminum, recycling cardboard, using cloth grocery bags, etc. are all well & good, but they are orders of magnitude short of what's needed to deal with Climate Disruption.  Furthermore, solar panels and electric vehicles are in the same boat.  A paradigm shift in economics, ethics, and worldview is needed if we are to survive and thrive in the coming years.

Keep in mind, too, the Climate Crisis is only one of the existential threats we're facing.  Worldwide toxic pollution of our environment, ecosystem damage/destruction by human activities, the threat of nuke weapons & nuke waste, overpopulation, ecological overshoot, and more all are part of our predicament.

Those who cling to neoliberalism are burying their heads in the sand relative to the existential threats upon us.  For at least 50 years, the deniers have ignored warnings from credible scientists as to the Crisis once looming, and now here.  Amazingly, even now they deny reality.  Unfortunately, many of them are in positions of power.  Thus no significant mitigation is taking place.  Lots of talk, but actions which amount to only tinkering around the edges of the problem.

It's time to face the music, as follows.  While micro scale mitigation efforts certainly are helpful, they will not suffice.  Technology alone also will not suffice.  The problems are systemic, and massive; thus, macro scale intervention is required.  It will take national governments and intergovernmental associations in cooperation with each other to tackle the crises in any significant way.  So, what can be done?  Following are a few suggestions for a start.

First, where (in the USA) is the written plan to transition away from fossil fuels?  I don't see one anywhere.  That transition won't happen by means of magic, and without a plan, most likely it won't happen at all.  Some Leader or group of Leaders needs to get the ball rolling, ASAP.  You may be thinking:  but not everyone agrees we need to make that transition.  True, but after about 50 years of warnings from credible researchers, if the deniers of the existential threats can't see the light by now, they probably never will.  We can't wait for them.

Secondly,  the cleanup at well over 1,300 Superfund toxic sites (scattered ALL across the country) needs to be put back into high gear.  High level toxic wastes are leaking into our water, and/or our air, and/or our soil.  Our previous disaster of a President essentially shut down most of that program.  What's happening under Biden?  Is the National Priorities List (NPL) of sites being addressed?  The former plutonium production facility at Hanford, WA still is the largest toxic site (586 square miles) in the country.  Cleanup there has been going on for about 30 years...and counting.  Dozens of other contaminated sites are waiting to be added to the NPL.

This next suggestion is similar to the first, but more expansive.  Where is the written plan to convert our Boom-Bust, highly polluting, unsustainable economic system to one of sustainability?  Along with that, are Fed Gov't contracts going "Green"?  Are there any requirements for sustainability?  Who, or which Executive Branch Dept., is coordinating this country's transition to a sustainable future?  Anyone?  If not, exactly what is the plan for that necessary transition?  Is there even a broad plan, or do our Powers-That-Be think the "Market" will accomplish the task?  [The Market didn't pull us out of the Great Depression of the 1930's, nor did it put men on the moon, nor did it heal the massive Dust Bowl of the 1930's.  Government management did those things.]

Finally, it would seem the Executive Branch is in need of some new appointees and/or advisors who are competent in the area of sustainability science.  The current crop of advisors apparently is perplexed by the existential threats we're facing.  They seem to believe that we'll muddle through without a plan, without consideration of biophysical constraints, and that the status quo somehow will save us from catastrophe.  [I'm sure at least a few departments have people who are educated in the natural sciences (beyond the high school level), but apparently they are being ignored, or they're at an administrative level with no access to the Executive, or both.]

...................

Not only my opinion.  Be Well

In Relation to the Ongoing Crisis: Human Consciousness & Intelligence Relative to Other Earthly Forms of Those Characteristics

 I'm fairly certain that we humans all have been raised to believe human beings are superior to all other life forms on Earth.  Perhaps not superior in every way possible, but at least in regard to intelligence and consciousness.  As we journey through life, that idea often is reinforced by both people and circumstances.  We view the concept as a given; no further thought about it is necessary.

Some people believe in it because of religion, I'm guessing.  At least, that is likely in terms of the religion in Western World cultures.  In those beliefs, humans are the pinnacle of creation.  Other animal life, and certainly plants, are viewed as having only a utilitarian purpose vis-a-vis humanity.  Forget about microbes.  Atheists and perhaps agnostics, as well, seem to believe in it because of little more than Logic.  It simply makes sense.

Like most everyone else, for years I bought into the myth of human superiority.  How could it not be true?  Of course we were meant to dominate this planet.  Eventually, though, I came to realize there are other ways of looking at the web of life and our place in it.  I didn't experience a single "eureka" moment, nothing like that.  It was more like hundreds of those moments, and they stretched out over decades.  Because of my education and experience in Agriculture, Biology, and Environmental Geography, most eurekas involved nonhuman animals, plants, and other parts of the natural environment.  Then, too, the ignorance (and sometimes, utter stupidity) displayed by we humans relative to our habitat and other life played a part in changing my worldview.

Here are only two little tidbits which helped to bring about about my transformation.  Did you know that trees communicate with each other in forests, and "mother trees" nurture nearby seedlings?  They do these things by means of symbiotic, micorrhizal fungi.  Watch this video by the plant ecologist, Suzanne Simard.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Un2yBgIAxYs&list=WL&index=65&t=33s

This is not based on magical thinking, but rather on solid ecological research.  The clip is relatively short, and quite a revelation.  The botanist, Diana Beresford-Kroeger, has something similar in a full-length documentary, Call of the Forest: the Forgotten Wisdom of Trees.  Both pieces demonstrate scientific evidence supporting the hypothesis that trees have a type of consciousness and intelligence.  Not like that of humans, but nonetheless significant.

While we most certainly are unique, humans are but a single strand in the fabric of life on Earth.  Our mistaken worldview coupled with our hubris regarding other life have resulted in the current Crisis.  A change in our Ethics is critical if we are to survive and thrive in the future.  It has taken us decades to cause life-sustaining natural cycles to be on the brink of ruin.  We must now re-double our efforts to avoid total disaster.  That's not only my opinion.  Many other people all across the political spectrum agree.

In my next post, I'll provide a long list of sources which show what's needed and why, plus some of the amazing research going on presently and in the recent past.   It's the not-yet-complete bibliography for a short book I've been writing since January of this year.

..........

Everyone Take Care

COVID-19 Has a Message for the Politicians in the Current Administration

STAY OUT of the realm of Science.  Why?  Because you don't know a damned thing about it...and you don't pay any heed to experts in the health field who know quite a bit about Science.

March 7, 2020 in the USA---
Confirmed cases:  401... and 19 deaths.

April 2, 2020 in the USA---
Confirmed cases:  over 239,000... and over 5,800 deaths.

April 13, 2020 in the USA---
Confirmed cases:  over 500,000... and over 21,000 deaths.

Meanwhile and presently, Trump is ramping up his psychological gaslighting.  He blames the Democrats and the Media for not taking the virus seriously.  This is what gaslighters do:  they accuse others of the very thing for which they, themselves, are to blame.  Then they repeat it over and over.  He's now saying he took bold action by banning China travel.  He ignores:  his shipment in March of tons of PPE to Asia; prior to that, his utterly dismissive statements re covid-19; his failure to take Executive action early on re the manufacture of ventilators; his complete--- & ongoing--- failure to facilitate testing for the virus; his total disregard for the wearing of masks; his complete lack of understanding as to how this virus spreads; etc.  He also ignores the fact that evidence suggests the virus entered the U.S. from Europe, not China.

Pence is just as (or perhaps, almost as) bad as Trump re covid-19.  The last recent statement I saw on the News from him was:  "No one [on Main Street] needs to wear a mask.".  Mr. V.P., here's what the scientists say:  everyone needs to wear a mask.  That includes you.  Do us a favor and put a gag inside yours, and Trump's, too.  Keeping the two of you from talking would be far better than anything either of you have done so far in office.  😊

Given the exponential progression of the numbers above, it should be painfully obvious that Trump, Pence, Larry Kudlow, Mike Pompeo, etc. are light years behind on the covid-19 learning curve.  They don't have a clue, and none of them appear to have any respect for Science or scientists.  That's probably because they all (except for Trump) seem to be fundamentalist, religious nutcakes... but most importantly, they all (including Trump) appear to worship the idols of Business, Money, and Power.  From all appearances, nothing is more important to them... especially the health of those who (in their eyes) are below their station in life.

To make matters worse, Trump & Crew now are working on a plan that in all likelihood will spread covid-19 even more.  Luckily, re-opening the economy is not within their power; however, they can promote the idea with great vigor.  Of course we need to get people back to work; that's a given.  But if we do it too soon, it will be disastrous.  What's needed now is much more of a direct infusion of cash to the American public.  Better yet, a Guaranteed Basic Income.  We can't afford that, you say?  It will make people lazy, you say?  The work (for 20 years) of the economist, Guy Standing, says otherwise on both counts.  People work harder when they have some minimal, basic economic security.  It really is time to think out-of-the-box.

Not only my opinion.  Be Well
p.s.  Again, for any new visitors here (& a reminder to everyone else), I'm not a Democrat or a Republican.  Plus, I have a Science background... both in the field and academically.

Disturbing Responses to COVID-19

1.  Trump has put Pence in charge of the battle against the virus in the U.S.  Other than Trump, himself, Pence probably is the most anti-science person in the entire current Administration.  There are so many competing for the anti-science King title, though, that naming Pence as the winner is a tough call.  :)

2.  All statements about covid-19 now have to be approved by Pence before being released to the public.  That includes all informational statements from the CDC, medical researchers, and all medical professionals in the Gov't.  Does anyone besides me see a problem here?  This approval requirement basically is a modified Gag Order, and approval for release will be doled out by a guy who essentially knows jack-squat about Science.

I'm guessing the probability is high that sooner or later crucial info may be kept from us because its release would have a damaging effect on the economy.  The false perception of a "great" economy is crucial to Trump's re-election.

3.  The pundit, Rush Limbaugh, has stated that covid-19 is nothing but a "common cold".  This is often what happens when people with little to no science background delve into a scientific topic.  I imagine he read somewhere that one type of common cold is caused by a corona virus (which is true).  I further imagine he concluded that means covid-19 is a common cold.  Apparently, it never entered his mind that several different types of corona viruses exist, with different degrees of virulence.  SARS is caused by a corona virus, too, but it's far from being a common cold.  Arguably, covid-19 is worse than SARS, especially in regard to how fast it spreads.

Hey, Mr. Limbaugh (& all his fans), covid-19 causes illness MAGNITUDES worse than a common cold.  In your dogmatic pontifications, perhaps you should stick with what you know.  I'm not sure what that is, but am fairly certain it involves nothing scientific.

Finally, the 1918 Spanish flu infected about 500 million people and killed an estimated 50 million...including 675,000 in the USA.  Pandemics never should be taken lightly.
.................................
Not only my opinion.  Be Well