The Gaia concept always sounded like a phantasy picture
to me. too mistyeyed and humanised. Like saying, that
the solar system was just so stable in the las few million years
because it had the hidden agenda of maintaining that
wierd third planet. It is now demonstrated that there were
quite a few inbalamces, prominent but different life-forms,
total extinctions and re-starts through earth's history.
The environment needs preserving because we need it for
an endurable human existance. This is a good enough argument
for me...
I doudt the principles, very wishy-washy and unconvincing for the
following reasons mainly:
- The problems we are encountering at the present are not yet
the consequence of overpopulation. A sane social-economic
structure could maintain the present population on a good
standard with the preservation of the environment.
- People are not free to make their own decisions and to
be "responsible" for them. If you are poor, you go to the nearest
supermarket and buy the cheapest, and therefore probably the
most unhealthy and most environmentally destructive product;
if you poor in the third world, you cannot choose not to live your
life in a shantytown, scavenge for firewood, stop erosion etc.
So, again, we have a theory that dances around the idea, that it is
the capitalist social/economical structure that hinders any change
and not the millions making the "wrong choices".
Blaming people for their own predicament is not only wrong but
counterproductive; also it is not pointing into a clear actionplan
in all circumstances. The idea of public ownership and
self-determination in a democratic framework is more practical and
comprehendable for all. If and only if this condition exists, the
defence of the environment is possible, making people really "free"; towards
getting information and acting in their own interest, and than we may
discuss if this interest may ge the same as "Gaia's"...
Eva
> PRINCIPLE ONE
> To acknowledge that uncontrolled human population growth in conjunction with
> the unrestrained consumption of earth resources have brought about a crisis
> that threatens all life on earth. To work toward establishing an
> equilibrium of nature in which all life - Gaia - and future generations can
> enjoy and share the fruits of this unique planet.
>
> PRINCIPLE TWO
> To recognise that humans suffer individually and collectively from foibles
> which may blind our objectivity regarding an unpleasant reality. By
> interacting with fellow humans we can help each other recognise,
> acknowledge, and understand these weaknesses, enabling us to deal with
> unpleasant reality.
>
> PRINCIPLE THREE
> To modify our personal expectations in life from expectations based on the
> past, to expectations consistent with a sustainable future.
>
> PRINCIPLE FOUR
> To assume responsibility for personal change because in a free society no
> government or world-wide organization can force upon us the required
> behavioural and attitudinal changes. Personal long-lasting freedom requires
> personal responsibility and compromise.
>
> PRINCIPLE FIVE
> To be undaunted by the enormity of the task at hand and to work around
> problems that cannot be dealt with effectively and immediately.
>
> PRINCIPLE SIX
> To establish `the common good' as the highest priority, while preserving
> individual human freedom and rights where possible. The long-term
> well-being of Gaia will be the primary consideration.
>
> PRINCIPLE SEVEN
> To work toward living within our global means with regard to energy usage
> and to recycle consumer goods rather than extract non-renewable resources
> from Earth.
>
> PRINCIPLE EIGHT
> To work toward the elimination of man-made classification barriers that have
> historically caused conflict between groups of humans.
>
> PRINCIPLE NINE
> To work for the maintenance of the democratic process in countries where the
> democratic process is functional, and to bring about change within the rule
> of law.
>
> PRINCIPLE TEN
> To recognize that humans must become stewards of the planet, but stewardship
> does not make humans superior to other life forms.
>
> PRINCIPLE ELEVEN
> To lobby governments to assess all legislation considering the full
> dimension of time, including life on Earth in the distant future.
>
> PRINCIPLE TWELVE
> To accept personal responsibility, and to help in your own way toward
> communication of the GAIA PRINCIPLES, either individually or collectively to
> others both at home and abroad.
>
> Quote from Stafford Beer in, Designing Freedom
> I am proposing simply that society should use its tools to redesign its
> institutions, and to operate those institutions quite differently. You can
> imagine all the problems. But the first and gravest problem is in the mind,
> screwed down by all those cultural constraints. You will not need a lot of
> learning to understand what I am saying: what you will need is intellectual
> freedom. It is a free gift to those with the courage to accept it. Our
> culture teaches us not intellectual courage, but intellectual conformity.
>
>
>
> ////////\\\\\\\\
> Don Chisholm
> 416 484 6225 fax 484 0841
> email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> The Gaia Preservation Coalition (GPC)
> http://www.envirolink.org/orgs/gaia-pc
> personal page: http://home.ican.net/~donchism/dchome.html
>
> "There is an almost gravitational pull toward putting out of mind unpleasant
> facts. And our collective ability to face painful facts is no greater than
> our personal one. We tune out, we turn away, we avoid. Finally we forget,
> and forget we have forgotten. A lacuna hides the harsh truth." -
> psychologist Daniel Goleman
> \\\\\\\\\/////////
>
>
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
