More on: "Choices & Change on the Path to a Sustainable Existence..."

 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CSSVWB3N?ref_=pe_93986420_774957520

If you would like a free pdf copy, email me with the title, "Choices & Change".

Below is a list of major topics in the book---

• why we're blind to the Big Picture regarding the "carbon pulse" (fossil energy), and what it will take to transition away from it;
• why the pursuit of infinite economic growth must be abandoned ASAP;
• our blindness regarding mineral requirements for a Green economy;
• while "Going Green" is necessary, unfortunately the present approach by the Powers-That-Be is insufficient;
• why we are not superior to and separate from Nature;
• why our society must convert from high-energy use to low-energy use;
• the complex feedback loop involving constant economic growth, which requires more energy, which then creates more complexity in society, which then requires more energy, which then creates even more complexity, etc. is ruining our habitat;
• ecological overshoot is THE problem, but Powers-That-Be mostly are trying to address only the symptoms of that;
• why there's a soil crisis, and the best choices for resolving it;
• ditto for the fresh water crisis;
• ditto for the food crisis;
• why healthy ecosystems and biodiversity are the bedrock of our existence;
• how factory farming is ruining agriculture, and the best choice forward;
• what many people don't seem to understand about science;
• what is "sustainability", and numerous examples of it;
• the shift in our ethics which is necessary for humans to survive and thrive;
• the propaganda coming from the Corporatocracy;
• why the petrochemical industry must be reined-in;
• why "The Market" can't solve the ill effects of Climate Change; and
• what's needed for a bright future for us and our descendants.

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Not only my opinion.  Be Well

"Choices & Change on the Path to a Sustainable Existence..."

 My second book is now available at the link below.  Please read the Description, in which I discuss who probably would enjoy the read and who would not.    

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CSSVWB3N?ref_=pe_93986420_774957520

If interested at all in sustainability, you may also want to read a sample of the Introduction.  Click on "Read Sample" in the upper left quadrant of the page.  From time to time, I'll post other excerpts on this venue.  A hardback version will out soon.  I doubt that an eBook will be because (as I learned with the first book) getting it up and out is somewhat of a nightmare for a High Tech Dummy like me - even if I hire someone to do the eBook formatting.  😵

In any case, Thanks to All for your consideration, and 

Happy Trails,

Scott

Humans, all other life on Earth, technology, and the future

 As we begin a new year, consider a physicist's view of what our economic superorganism is doing to our quality of life.  The ecologist, Nate Hagens, interviews Thomas Murphy.  I especially enjoyed his unique method of putting human history into perspective, which is covered in the first 6 minutes.  Don't miss it; at least watch that.  [You can spare 6 minutes:]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6yFrh1X6DI

You may have to adjust it back to the beginning. 

In terms of the geological time frame on Earth, we "modern" humans (Homo sapiens) haven't been in existence for very long - about 200,000 years or so.  Our ancestors started about 2.5 million years ago.  In a recent essay - The Simple Story of Civilization - Prof. Murphy compressed our full time (ancestors + "modern") on this planet into a 75-year span.  Using that time frame for our total existence,  he calculated the following:

a)  a mere five years ago, Homo sapiens appeared;

b)  only fifteen weeks ago, agriculture (and "civilization") began - that's about 10,000+/- years ago in the geologic time frame;

c)  barely four days ago, the Age of Science began - about 400 years ago in geologic time;

d)  only a day and a half ago, the Age of Fossil Energy started - around 150 years ago in normal geologic time;

e)  finally, just twelve hours ago, global and rapid eco-devastation began - that's about 50 years ago in normal time. 

The petrochemical industry is largely responsible for e) above.

According to Dr. Murphy, several important points arise from the scenario just described.

1)  Prior to the advent of agriculture and settlements/towns/cities (civilization), we lived more or less in harmony with Nature.

2) For thousands of years after the emergence of civilization, we still had some degree of harmony with our habitat.

3)  Nevertheless, the arrival of civilization started a path of accumulation of possessions, development of hierarchies in the extreme, and efforts to control Nature.

4)  Then, only 150 years ago, we harnessed a Master resource - relatively cheap, abundant, and easily transportable fossil energy -and we basically went berserk on overconsumption and increased attempts to control Nature.

5)  Little thought was given to unintended consequences.

6)  Our current civilization was not designed to be sustainable.  For one thing, the economic system the Powers-That-Be worship is constantly and infinitely craving more energy, and more production, and more consumption.  More, more, and more into infinity.  It's not sustainable ecologically, thermodynamically, financially, or socially.

7)  Plus, we've "doubled-down" on efforts to control Nature, something which never will be fully attained.  Meanwhile, we're damaging/destroying the basis of our biophysical existence.  Such a system is destined to fail, and we're getting close to that point.

8)  Because the system (a Superorganism) is so large, and essentially uncontrolled, the failure will be monumental.

Prof. Murphy's BOTTOM LINE is this:

Our current path clearly is not sustainable.  The spurt of growth and expansion we've seen in the last 150 years is not the norm in human history, is temporary, and is unsustainable to the max.  Future choices must ALL be predicated on (paraphrased) sustainability principles which conserve and protect the ecosphere.  In short, he's saying something I've echoed a number of times:  everything must change if we are to survive and thrive.  Only then will we be able to bequeath a healthy habitat and society to our descendants.  

How to bring about necessary changes is an open question.  A good start would be to ignore Corporatocracy propaganda, shun dogma, open our minds, be more cooperative with others, live with intention, and increase our thinking out-of-the-box.  Many people and nonprofit groups are doing such, and even a few parts of some governments are doing so.  Best choices for moving forward are emerging, and should be supported.  Make time for that.

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Not only my opinion.  Take Care, Be Aware, and Find Peace of Mind

"Old School, the Vikings, the Realists/Community Preppers, and the Arcadians"

 From the mining engineer, Dr. Simon Michaux and the ecologist, Dr. Nate Hagens, four metaphors for the people of the world (all of us) as we face the ongoing socio-eco-econ-ethical Crisis.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bb801wdRULM&list=WL&index=66&pp=gAQBiAQB 

The title of the video is "The Arcadian Blueprint".  In it, Michaux and Hagens offer specific details for a beginning of the transition to sustainability.  Basically, it's an introduction to Michaux's "resource based economy".  [I posted this link (but with different commentary) awhile ago, maybe a month or so.  The video is both entertaining and extremely informative.]

Which of the four metaphors (or what combination) applies to you?

Old School---

those who believe everything will soon get back to "normal"; it's okay, the Powers-That-Be are handling it; we'll muddle through; reductionist thinkers.

The Vikings---

those who take advantage of the disruption by "raiding" the economy and the ecosphere, grabbing whatever they can for themselves; little to no social conscience, or concern for future generations.

The Realists/Community Preppers---

those who see the Crisis, and are working toward fairly immediate, short-term solutions re energy, food, water, shelter, and economy for their family, often in concert with neighbors or the whole community.  [Note: this category does not include those few people who believe a bunker, rifles, hand grenades, claymore mines, and razor wire are needed for defense of the "compound".]

The Arcadians (as in ancient Greece)---

those with the wisdom to work for long-term sustainability, a thriving Earth for current and future generations; comprehensive, holistic, systems thinkers.

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

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.

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Not only my opinion.  Take Care

Here's precisely why...

 everything must change.  This is the most erudite presentation on the human predicament I've ever heard.  Topics include:  the current socio-eco-econ-ethical Crisis, politics, energy, ecology, metaphysics, spirituality, future possibilities, the USA, France, history, philosophy, solutions, and more.

The human condition (and that of our world) in a nutshell:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frK66sPntA4

Even if you have to watch it in 5 or 10-minute stages, don't miss it.  Even if you disagree with a portion of it, continue on.  Don't assume the remainder won't be valuable to you.  I'm about 99.99% sure that it will be.  [You might want to turn on the captions.]

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

Be Well

Mother Nature has been sending the world a message re getting back to "normal"

 Unfortunately, it appears too many of us aren't understanding it.

Here's the message---

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

"Your 'normal' is gone, and it won't be back for decades, or perhaps ever.  Why?  Because too many Powers-That-Be and Main Street people have ignored ecological principles for much too long.  They have failed to understand the importance of natural ecosystems, and the fact that natural Laws apply to humans.  Plus, too many continue to believe the ongoing pursuit of ever-increasing, perpetual economic and population growth will not further damage the biophysical basis of your existence.

"Too many seem to think the current extreme weather events on Earth are merely flukes, and soon will fade back to 'normal'.  Sorry, that's a false belief.  Unless you take significant action immediately, things only will get worse.  Such is not only in regard to weather, but also in regard to disease, soil, fresh water availability, the food supply, and clean air.  Wake up; you're in a crisis of unprecedented proportions.  Support those who are working hard to solve it; shun/boycott those who are not.

To make matters worse, you're still going to war with each other during the Eco-Crisis of the Ages.  I guess you figure:  the air is already so overloaded with greenhouse gases, more of that won't matter much at all.  Plus, apparently you believe that war won't affect the global cooperation necessary to address your ongoing, existential, and ecological threat.  That's the height of ignorance."

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As a concerned human, I'll add the following---

For a few decades, I've been amazed at how voters continue to elect to crucial offices mostly those candidates (regardless of political Party) who essentially are illiterate when it comes to ecology and the decades-long Eco-Crisis.  I imagine there are many reasons for such a scenario, but surely the last three years or so have given the vast majority of people pause to reconsider.

Democrats and Republicans have had their shot, and they've failed.  The crisis we're in is, in large part, due to their policies.  Mega Biz also is largely responsible.  So are voters and consumers of junk.  Eco-overshoot reigns supreme.  If my grandkids are to have a decent future, everything must change.

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Not only my opinion.  Be Well

This is the one...THIS IS IT: The Great Simplification!

 Without question, this is the best, most informative description of the ecology of the human species I've seen in the last fifty years.  It clearly & concisely lays out our relationships to Earth, Energy, Economics, Life in general, and all life forms.  Topics include:  the carbon pulse, energy blind, the temporary energy surplus, the human superorganism, money v. wealth, our ecological overshoot, the great simplification, and more.

https://www.thegreatsimplification.com/animations

At the link above, you can watch the full piece (32 minutes), or scroll down a bit for the individual parts/episodes (four of them).  At the very least, watch Part 4 (only 9 minutes).  Below is a link to the full clip on YouTube---

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xr9rIQxwj4

What was, what IS, and what's coming (there are many choices regarding what's coming) in the human story.  If you want valuable insights to the predicament in which we find ourselves, don't miss it. 

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

Not only my opinion.  Be Well