In class on Friday, I talked about how the stresses of modern life contribute to a sense of helplessness and "disconnected connectedness" many people feel.
I think this helps explain why people don't feel they can make a difference in the way the modern world is run. For all the talk of democracy and freedom, there is actually little any one person can do. People innately want to have some control over their circumstance, and, when they feel there is nothing they can do to change anything, they lose the desire to act. Oftentimes, they seek out unimportant "decisions" to make in their free time (e.g., TV, sports, video games, shopping, etc.) to give them the sense of control their "real" life apparently lacks.
I think this going to be my last post for CIE200.
Take care everyone!
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Thursday, May 1, 2008
More Global Warming
I've been thinking about what it would take to make any progress in solving the problem of global warming.
Eventually, we will run out of readily accessible fossil fuels and be forced to find new sources of energy or regress technologically. One way or another, the problem of global warming will be solved: either soon with legislation designed to motivate people to behave for the greater good or much later by sheer necessity.
As optimistic as I want to be, I am inclined to believe that people (and leaders) will not act in any powerful way unless necessity compels them.
Americans especially just do not believe any steps to at least mitigate the problem are politically or economically feasible or even warranted. As untrue as it may be, this sense of inertia is fostered by vested corporate influences in our political and economic system who do not wish to risk future profits until absolutely necessary.
Eventually, we will run out of readily accessible fossil fuels and be forced to find new sources of energy or regress technologically. One way or another, the problem of global warming will be solved: either soon with legislation designed to motivate people to behave for the greater good or much later by sheer necessity.
As optimistic as I want to be, I am inclined to believe that people (and leaders) will not act in any powerful way unless necessity compels them.
Americans especially just do not believe any steps to at least mitigate the problem are politically or economically feasible or even warranted. As untrue as it may be, this sense of inertia is fostered by vested corporate influences in our political and economic system who do not wish to risk future profits until absolutely necessary.
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