> Tom,
>
> I ask the following question toward the end of my reply, but I copy it at
the top here to see if this is the "bottomline" of what you are saying:
>
> Does everything you say reduce to the solution of zero human population
growth ( even negative population growth), with special emergency measures
to save all endangered species ?
>
>
No, it doesn't, Charles, but I would certainly be content if Crashlist
developed even that measure of understanding.
Instead "everything" I say "reduces" to re-linking man to the perception of
the consequences of exploiting the natural world, and to adopting an ethic
that prevents that exploitation. From that change of mind flows
understanding of how complex is the issue of population reduction, and the
operation of a bio-ethic that treats all species with the understanding of
their interrelationships. Simple emergency measures for a few species are
inadequate, but supremely critical at this point in time, unfortunately.
What's required is the vision to allow the interrelationships of 10,000
species per each acre around the world to flourish.
Here's a much more coherant statement that sums it up best:
"[We see] humanity entering a bottleneck unique in history, constricted by
population and economic pressures. In order to pass through to the other
side, within perhaps fifty to a hundred years, more science and
entrepreneurship will have to be devoted to stabilizing the global
environment. That can be accomplished, according to expert consensus, only
by halting population growth and devising a wiser use of resources than has
been accomplished to date. And wise use for the living world in particular
means preserving the surviving ecosystems, micromanaging them only enough to
save the biodiversity they contain." E. O. Wilson
http://www.gn.apc.org/resurgence/186/wilson186.htm)
In the main I agree with Tahir, that the prospects of this are dim. And I
think Daniel's most recent post points the way to where we should direct our
efforts immediately: i.e. "We MUST NOT allow such mindlessness to expand the
scope of the coming disaster. ...Hopefully, those who have expended a great
deal of energy in defending their views of various political models and
theories shall now use that energy to help guide the battle for humanity's
survival." (Amen)
Nature is now in the driver's seat as far as the outcome of the Crash
itself. The task at hand is to mitigate the mindlessness that will be
governmental reaction to our approach to the abyss. We certainly *can* do
much to prevent the madness, to limit malevolent response. We can do much
here on Crashlist to promote that preventive activity. And this is one area
where marxism has skill that can greatly assist the larger effort.
Here's a new book about an ethic that I suggest might help:
Beneath the Surface: Critical Essays in the Philosophy of Deep Ecology, by
Eric Katz and
David Rothenberg
Thanks for your continued interest, Charles
Tom
"In order to stabilize world population, we must eliminate 350,000 per day."
-- Dr. Jacques Cousteau
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