From the the period ranging between 1712 and the present, the United States, and many other developed nations, have been engaged in a individually-minded consumerism which can no longer be reliant on our most efficient-and now rapidly diminishing- resource: oil.
Without more scientific evidence to disprove him, I find McKibbens' main points- that of a concern about peak oil and sustainability- spot on. If there is anything with which I do not agree, it is his list of possible solutions. Though I do believe in the immediate need for a return to smaller-scale living revolved around communities and "localism", let's say, I don't think he proposes a good way in which to get everyone on the same page. Firstly, the biggest problem the U.S. has had historically, as far as I can tell, is their tendency to replace the need for brains with the benefit of muscles. But put it this way: if anyone works out long and hard enough, they can get strong. A brain takes much more time and dedication to develop... Education, I believe, should be at the forefront of this nation's efforts, and it has always taken the back seat. All the most recent education-improvement efforts seem to have either been misappropriated, or un-appropriated. With intellectualism comes the ability to have a more varied discourse, greater minds offering ever-greater ideas, as well as an ability to learn from past experiences. Culture seems like a natural progression from education, and what other way to preserve it than with strong community ties? So basically, as I mentioned in a previous blog, I believe that what is more urgently important is not finding another type of energy source capable of sustaining our bloated planet- a "band-aid" of sorts. Instead, teach the people how not to cut themselves in the first place-educate them on a new and better type of living, but do so intelligently and in a way that makes it valuable to them. As much as we like to think we care about others, our basic instincts are survival-based, and we must keep this in mind when teaching others that there is in fact a greater force out there than ourselves. I'm not worried about peak oil, I'm worried about peak ignorance....
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3 comments:
You make some wonderful points here, Catherine...
I am particularly struck by your statement that individuals will actively seek to make their lives easier - replacing muscle power with other energy sources whenever possible.
Of course, that is the dream - to garner as much as possible by expending as little effort as possible (at least in the minds of many).
The problems with this way of thinking, when considering climate change, peak oil, and other 21st century dilemmas (assuming you think they are real) should be fairly obvious.
Cheers,
W
You are spot on yourself, I agree strongly with the need for emphasis on education. Unfortunately, education seems to be black listed from the "cool" list. It doesn't seem like an immediate answer, and of course it is not, as you pointed out the brain takes time to develop...my still isn't done, I hope.
Schools always bring kids together, making friendships, and then their parents may meet, and connections are made. This a bottom-up effect on community that is truly singular in my mind.
-Matthew
Yes! Education. I agree.
I think it's pretty apparent that many kids aren't learning anything but formulaic, standardized material. Which should probably be a side effect of education, not the driving force.
Imagine the difference if American students, in order to graduate high school, had to demonstrate critical thinking, adaptation, innovation...
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