November 09, 2004
What the World Needs Now (according to daniel) v1
There's a Native American adage that goes a little something like this: "We don't inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children." These days, we, the citizens of earth, seem to have forgotten this wise and inspiring counsel. Some might say we've reversed it.
With that in mind, I've decided to share some of my thoughts on how to start living "sustainably" again. It ain't gonna be easy to get back on the right track, but it won't be terribly too hard either. And it can definitely be fun. It will certainly be more rewarding if we are in it together, with people we know and care about.
If you find these emails valuable, please do forward them along. If your friends want to get on my list, just have them send me an email at mandatory @@@@ hot mail ............ com. (Conversely, if you feel I'm wasting your time, let me know and I'll remove you from my list.)If you have some comments or ideas you'd like share with me, I'd be happy to broadcast them.
So here goes, I'll start with a double whammy!
1. Affluenza
Last summer, I found this book on my sister's bookshelf. I brought it on a road trip with my brother. I planned to read it aloud while he steered the wheels, but we couldn't help but get sidetracked (by mufflers on the interstate, by friendly Canadians, by old buddies, and by a particular band, which, in the interest of homeland security, will remain undisclosed.) Anyhow, I got around to reading it last Autumn, on successive nights before bedtime. It is witty, entertaining, chock full of fun facts, and better yet, illustrated with cartoons!
But wait, what is Affluenza? The definition of affluenza, according to the authors, is something akin to "a painful, contagious, socially-transmitted condition of overload, debt, anxiety and waste resulting from the dogged pursuit of more."
In chapters with titles like "Swollen Expectations" and "A Rash of Bankruptcies," Affluenza, from the producer of the award-winning TV specials Affluenza and Escape from Affluenza, uses the whimsical metaphor of a disease to tackle a very serious subject: the damage done — to our health, our families, our communities, and our environment — by the obsessive quest for material gain. The authors examine the origins, evolution, and symptoms of the affluenza epidemic. But more importantly, they explore cures and suggest strategies for rebuilding families and communities and for restoring and respecting the earth. "A fantastic book, very funny yet deeply serious." — Peter Barnes, cofounder, Working Assets
You can read the entire first chapter, sadly minus the illustrations at http://www.bkconnection.com/static/affluenza_chapter1.asp
Then, if you want to read the book, you can visit your local library and see if they have it. If they don't, ask them to order it. That way, you don't need to waste your hard earned cash, and tons of people can read it in the future.
If you would prefer to buy Affluenza, try to buy used. That will save trees and also help someone else reduce their clutter. Affluenza is available at:
http://www.half.com
http://www.alibris.com
http://www.booksense.com
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1576751996/102-0899673-6744937?v=glance (they'll offer to bundle it with another book, "spaving" you money. That's slang for saving while spending.)
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2. The Persuaders
The Persuaders
Frontline
Tuesday November 9, 9pm on PBS Stations.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/persuaders/
Oh yes, television. PBS was my favorite channel back in the days of the 13" B&W set in my parents' room. Doug Rushkoff is an author I enjoy reading. He is as "renaissance man" as you can get. He's got a new show on tonight (if you are in America.) If you miss it, there will surely be reruns. Would someone please tape it for me, since my sattalite dish was gored by caribou. If you're worried about overkill, if more than one person hits record, you can just tape over it later, or slip it to someone at the office.
Synopsis:
Correspondent Douglas Rushkoff takes an in-depth look at the "persuasion industries" — advertising and public relations. To cut through mass-media clutter and to overcome consumers' growing resistance to their pitches, marketers have developed new ways of integrating their messages deeper into the fabric of our lives, using sophisticated market research techniques to better understand consumers, and turning increasingly to the little-understood techniques of public relations to make sure their messages come from sources we trust.
A documentary essay, The Persuaders also explores how the culture of marketing has come to shape the way Americans understand the world and themselves, and how the techniques of the persuasion industries have migrated to politics, shaping the way our leaders formulate policy, influence public opinion, make decisions, and stay in power.
Posted by dbs at November 9, 2004 11:40 AM