> 1. It is cultural self preservation. The culture relies on
> domination of nature and most of its structures promote this
> belief.
It is a culture that is defined by its exploitation of nature. It has
developed in turn organizations that further that exploitation.
>
> 2. Large systems focus on themselves and not on externals. This
> might be the message from the book "Small is Beautiful"
Large systems take on the self preservation characteristics of
individuals. Thus a religion will mould itself to the current power
structure. If the power structure sees a need to kill in the name of war,
the religion will suddenly declare it "gods" war.
>Thus, as individuals we can still connect back to the tree
>and define religion on a personal level. We may have to step
>outside mainstream culture and most of its institutions.
That is the only to connect to the tree, as an individual. The function of
the organized religion is to remove us from any real connection with the
tree so the tree can be pushed aside because it has little value and is in
the way.
As an individual without the blinders of religion, we are able to see that
the tree has value beyond our individual needs. We can also see the magic
of why and how that tree got there.
>I'm not sure these twisted words organize thoughts in a
>useful way. But, acting on these ideas does produce a small
>amount of tension in society..... A lady on the
>Organic-Gardening list once wrote saying i was "some
>reclusive misfit hiding in the woods". So... why should a
>misfit writing about cultural institutions possibly bother a
>lady thousands of miles away?
My words cannot express what it is I see. I see that organizations of all
types have blinded us to our nature but I cannot see a way that it could
not have happened that way.
>Probably we are attached to cultural institutions and feel
>threatened when they are threatened. No? Try entering a
>sports bar and saying sports waste resources and we have real
>problems that need attention. Then point out that the pleasure
>gained from sports is offset by some negatives for society.
>Don't forget to wear a helmet before attempting this suicidal act.
I have been doing some thinking about people and how we got this
way. Looking through our tribal history that most successful of all human
organizations has given me much to think about. One conclusion is that
most people are basically afraid of everything and will follow anyone that
promises to lift that fear. I also see that the tribe could only be
successful if many were afraid of the few. A tribe of individuals would
soon collapse where a tribe of many followers of a few leaders prevail.
Don Bowen [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Valley Center, CA Senior Software Engineer
C/C++, Internet, embedded systems
http://members.cts.com/crash/d/donb
http://www.oldengine.org/members/ihc14
http://www.oldengine.org/members/ferguson/
