web surfing for the apocalypse
I don't want to sound like a
Jeremiah ["
the broken-hearted prophet" whose heart-rending life, and true prophecies of dire warning went largely unheeded] but humans are on a psychic roller coaster ride right now that lends itself to think this way.
Nevertheless, there are those who believe that we can do something to stem the drive to self-destruction if we but pay heed to the warming warnings and actually make changes in how we conduct ourselves.
The changes we need to make include addressing global climate change, pulling ourselves [and our kids] away from the destructive re-patterning of our brain waves [be it tossing out the violent video games or weaning off of harmful neuroleptic drugs], even altering the ways we engage in the collective decision-making process.
That said, here's some links to go to, ponder what they present, then get off the
Barcalounger and get to work!
350.org. Bill McKibben's site warning of the impact of CO2 gases on Mother Earth. "
350 is the red line for human beings, the most important number on the planet. The most recent science tells us that unless we can reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to 350 parts per million, we will cause huge and irreversible damage to the earth." The current level of CO2 emission is a 385 parts per million and rising.
What is needed most right now are
your actions that take the number 350 and drive it home: in art, in music, in political demonstrations [remember folks, voting is only one small part of participatory government], in any other way you can imagine.
American Hydrogen Association. If for no other reason, this site is worth the visit to check out the growing collection of motorized vehicles [
such as the one on the left of this entry] that
don't run on gasoline. True, they are not for the technologically challenged, but they offer a start.
"
The mission of AHA is to facilitate achievements of prosperity without pollution and to close the information gap between researchers, industry and the public, drawing on world-wide developments concerning hydrogen, solar, wind, hydro, ocean and biomass resource materials, energy conversion, wealth-addition economics, and the environment.
"The goal of AHA is to stimulate interest and help establish the renewable hydrogen energy economy by the year 2010 by... working in cooperation with organizations, environmental groups and industry, community, and schools to promote understanding of hydrogen technology, and help create a marketplace for pollution-free hydrogen energy."
Violent video games and unchecked use of neuroleptic drugs are major contributors to
decreasing out ability to think clearly. You won't find out about this in the mainstream media, but it is true.
I hope society doesn't wait until all those who
self identify as "crazy" come out, [since prejudice against
people labeled with mental illnesses is more extreme than homophobia] but It is, indeed, crazy people who know full well the deleterious effects of both these market-promoted phenomena.
You might think otherwise. After all, it seems obvious that glorification of violence through the use of a synapse-stimulating electrical device [video games] would result in altering the brain. Likewise, when introducing massive doses of chemicals into one's body that are intended to alter the chemistry and operation of the brain, would cause some problems. Even as far back as the 1970s it was recognized that forced drugging in the Soviet Union was employed as torture to political dissidents. How is forced drugging of ordinary citizens suspected of being disruptive any different? [rhetorical question here. I don't expect a response unless you want to]
One the other hand, one thing we have to consider altering is
how we look at participation in government. It really isn't enought to say you are too busy after work, or that you need to bond with the children when you get home. People in elected leadership positions
need to know that those who elect have interests in decision making outcomes that goes beyond the ballot box.
For that matter, the decision makers running the global
fiefdoms that we call corporations need to hear your perspectives as well. This may be a little more difficult. After all, Boycotts are notoriously difficult to engineer,much less get started. And you have to buy your way into the boardroom by purchasing shares of stock. But all of us must, [as I said above] get out of the lounger and get our point of view heard!
Off
the soapbox for the moment. Stay tuned.
Labels: alternative fuels, civil discourse, CO2 emissions, neuroleptics, social control, video games, violence, voting