[Graeme]

Going Dark

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'W')e are the last individuals of our species on Earth. How shall we respond? How shall we act? If industrial civilization is maintained, climate change will cause human extinction in the near term. If industrial civilization falls, sufficient ionizing radiation will be released from the world's nuclear power plants to cause human extinction in the near term. In the wake of this horrific conclusion, conservation biologist Guy McPherson proposes we act with compassion, courage, and creativity. He suggests we act with the kind of empathy for which humans are renowned. In other words, he suggests we act with decency toward the humans and other organisms with which we share this beautiful planet. Going Dark is the story of one scientist's response to the horrors we face. It is a deeply personal narrative infused with abundant evidence to support its terrifying claims. In the words of syndicated cartoonist David Fitzsimmons, McPherson's ""approach is disarming and his message is both life-changing and convincingly alarming. A blend of Paul Revere with Rachel Carson, Guy McPherson is a significant voice of rational conscience nudging in the wilderness. Fierce as Ed Abbey, and equally prophetic, Professor McPherson is a modern-day John Muir with a global perspective. Beyond the warnings is a body of thoughtful and pragmatic real world ideas."" "Going Dark peels the shadow from the cozy dreams we've all bought into. You know the ones: technology will save us from climate change; the products we consume are endless and untainted; our modern idea of happiness and convenience doesn't crush others; the heartbeat of the industrial economy that pulses within us all is sustainable and ethical. McPherson's latest work will make you think twice, twice. If you feel discomfort as you read you are reading it correctly."

[Plantagenet]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Graeme', '[')b]Going Dark

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'W')e are the last individuals of our species on Earth. How shall we respond? How shall we act?

[Graeme]

Less than 27 years according to statements on his latest blog, which you can view in the "credible scientists believe humanity close to destruction" thread.

[Plantagenet]

If the earth has only got 27 years left, then people should definitely take out 30 yr mortgages instead of 20 yr mortgages when they buy a house, because they'll come out ahead by skipping the last three years of payments.

[Graeme]

Nice to see a bit of humor from you even though it is "dark". LOL

[rollin]

McPherson lives in the dark with too many dark thoughts.
If what he says is anywhere near true, then there is nothing we can do. Time to party or at least just sit back and enjoy the show. What's the difference?
As to 27 years left, I should live that long!!!

I know it's not fun, but we need to clean up and straighten up our mess before we even think of going extinct. There is no way we should get off the hook so easily.

After that, those that are left can hunt, fish, procreate and sit around the campfire for a thousand generations. Then back to building sailing ships and re-explore the world. Maybe next time it will work out better. Or maybe something smarter than us will put us in zoos or keep us as pets.

[Loki]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Plantagenet', 'I')f the earth has only got 27 years left, then people should definitely take out 30 yr mortgages instead of 20 yr mortgages when they buy a house, because they'll come out ahead by skipping the last three years of payments.

[Loki]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Graeme', '[')In other words, he suggests we act with decency toward the humans and other organisms with which we share this beautiful planet.]

[Ibon]

Going dark will be good for all our lepidopteran friends who will cease to swirl in death spirals around the electric lights polluting our nights.

http://www.darksky.org/

[americandream]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Loki', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Graeme', '[')In other words, he suggests we act with decency toward the humans and other organisms with which we share this beautiful planet.]

[americandream]

And decency is not what we need. We (those with the capacity to do so) need to examine industrial capitalism's fundamental tendencies. It's force as a culture which compels conformity and finally, alternatives to this lopsided modernity which whilst being robust in terms of its creativity, is humanity basically living beyond its means.

[Ibon]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('americandream', 'A')nd decency is not what we need. We (those with the capacity to do so) need to examine industrial capitalism's fundamental tendencies. It's force as a culture which compels conformity and finally, alternatives to this lopsided modernity which whilst being robust in terms of its creativity, is humanity basically living beyond its means.

[americandream]

There are only two choices. Individualism (which will keep bringing us back to lopsided social-economy) or collectivism (which eliminates the profit motive and the relentless drive to grow). For much of our history we have lived in collectives. Individualism lends itself to the need to market products. The more units of consumerism there is, the larger the market.

Which gets us back to dealing with the choices and here, we go back to good old fashioned grass roots activism whilst reigniting debate surrounding the choices I outlined. It is a pretty thankless task. Be prepared to lose friends and family. However, early revolutionary struggle was always conceived in significant personal loss.

Of course, we need to be able to deal with rogue "collectives" such as China but it pays to look at places such as Cuba and get the real facts surrounding their use profile. I am off to Cuba early next year to volunteer and of course, look at social structure. When I get back, I may put my thoughts on paper.

In essence, capitalism needs to be taken apart so that its logic can be laid bare for all to see. As it is, talk of making it ethical and such like adds to the confusion surrounding its true nature.

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ibon', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('americandream', 'A')nd decency is not what we need. We (those with the capacity to do so) need to examine industrial capitalism's fundamental tendencies. It's force as a culture which compels conformity and finally, alternatives to this lopsided modernity which whilst being robust in terms of its creativity, is humanity basically living beyond its means.

[Plantagenet]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('americandream', 'I') am off to Cuba early next year to volunteer and of course, look at social structure. When I get back, I may put my thoughts on paper.

[americandream]

Oh, capitalism has been very successful. Don't get me wrong. If we had the capacity to maintain it without the inevitable consequences, it would be tolerable (for me...although I prefer the less frenetic pace of commune life). However, it is time to actually look at the system and its tendencies objectively. Of course, if you are of the mind that billions consuming at current and growing levels will have no effect on this planet, you and I will never agree.

Finally, any shift to collectivism will see a MASSIVE fall in standards of living so Cuba is exactly as I would expect of a communal state. For one, there is no private home ownership whilst communes are the cultural form with all that comes with that. But on the plus side, the drive to exploit the planet to the degree we do is of a lesser magnitude. It stands to reason.

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Plantagenet', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('americandream', 'I') am off to Cuba early next year to volunteer and of course, look at social structure. When I get back, I may put my thoughts on paper.

[americandream]

Any meaningful attempt to save this planet is going to cost us personally...job quality, life quality, access to round the clock shopping, personal mobility...all gone. On the other hand, a new life quality will emerge. One more connected with those around us and the earth. We will have to adapt to modest experiences but life quality will reflect the new culture so in time will become the norm. Smiling costs us nothing, this will.

[Ibon]

Regarding Cuba we could start our own thread. I was Regional Director for Latin America during 15 years representing a major European medical device manufacturer. I went every two years to Havana to participate in their biennial health care conference called Salud Para Todos. I was also visiting major hospitals and installing some advanced medical instruments there. My fluent spanish and my very close relationship to my Cuban representative there allowed me to have many opportunities to meet local people and his family members and able to see behind the curtains of how the average Cuban lives and what his or her dreams are and I was able to witness this unfiltered.

I can detail all the plusses and minuses of this system as I observed it and write pages on this but I will just leave you with the observation that in my view 90% of the Cuban people no longer embrace their own system but many maintain enough privilege towing the line that if a non spanish speaking person goes there, especially through any government sponsored program, you wont get this clear picture because most Cubans will play lip service to their embracing of communism. Cubans live in constant vigilance because every neighborhood has privileged members of the communist Party taking notes of who is naughty and nice and privileges are dolled out accordingly.

So in Cuba we only see an "artificial" collectivist social system that would disintegrate as quickly as we saw in other former communist countries if it where not for the unique position Cuba now holds in Latin America and the legacy of the Castro Regime.

Many good socialist programs yes, their health care is remarkable for the minimal funds they have, the talent of their surgeons is also amazing. Many interesting successful social structures but it will mostly crumble one day soon.

So this takes me back to the point of my former post. I am not interested in ideological base choices. I am interested in consequences forcing a transformation so that it is external limits that hones whatever economic or social or religious model evolves.

Otherwise the dominant conformist consumption driven status quo will plow ahead unabated. No change can be possible from within at this point. Period.

[Ibon]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('americandream', 'A')ny meaningful attempt to save this planet is going to cost us personally...job quality, life quality, access to round the clock shopping, personal mobility...all gone. On the other hand, a new life quality will emerge. One more connected with those around us and the earth. We will have to adapt to modest experiences but life quality will reflect the new culture so in time will become the norm. Smiling costs us nothing, this will.

[americandream]

On socialism, Marx was adamant that it would not work in a state. Marx largely wrote about capitalism. What little he said about socialism leaves room for much interpretation.

Interestingly, he was a great advocate of material dialecticism as as systemic force. Marxian dialecticism is stripped of all its Hegelian mysticism and revolves around the principle that from the ashes of one system rises its opposite which then gives birth to a synthesis of the two. Dialectic forces are violent, arising in the midst of epic events.

Marx wrote very little on environmental issues, instead noting that in its expansion around the globe, capital would strip both the worker and the planet, in the process giving rise to dialectic forces globally (presumably some sort of upheaval) and then change. It is in this context that he noted the futility of forcing socialism within a country. Interestingly he also noted that the only class that would drive these changes are those with no vested interest in the system (workers...we can call them todays indebted middle class...all bling and no bang.)

He also noted that these are objective forces that arise in material conditions. Finally and intriguingly, he detailed the inexorable movement of capitalism to its destruction, the actors compelled to do so.

Globalisation, he adds, would drive capital to take jobs hither and thither and from one nation to another. Debt would reign and all would rush to emulate the capitalist.

There was also the risk of a slide into barbarism .

Sound familiar?

Cuba will give me some inkling of life in a commune. However, I have no illusions that they will be happy, happy socialists. In fact, any future collective will have its share of malcontents. However, if we do collectivise, it is because we have no other choice. Change or die.

[dorlomin]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Loki', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Graeme', '[')In other words, he suggests we act with decency toward the humans and other organisms with which we share this beautiful planet.]