This is it... this is war.
And the casualties will be your hearts and souls.
This is our world. This is our reality.
And yet its being polluted and destroyed by apathy.
Give me a fucking break.
You have every opportunity at your disposal to be your own personal powerhouse. Your words can inspire, your actions can evoke change.
But the big, bad "powers that be" perpetuate the business as usual paradigm and you wring your hands and shake your head at the audacity of governments, to impose such laws and to approve such budget cuts.
And don't even get started on those god damned corporations expanding production lines, powering the capitalist mindset.
And those banks!
And those baby boomers!
Let me point my accusatory finger at everyone I can see, its you! Its you! ITS YOU!!!!!
Here's an update cupcake, YOU are responsible for what is happening. The responsibility lay on your shoulders. Your hands seem small but I swear, if only you embrace the dirt under your fingernails and the mud smeared on your face things can change.
Monday, 1 October 2012
Tuesday, 10 April 2012
Studying For Environmental Sustainability Exam: Uncertainties I Wonder About
The Harper Government asserts a notion of "environmental hijacking", suggesting that the environmental movement in Canada has been overly influenced by outside/foreign nations. But when it comes to environmental issues when do local issues become global and vise versa? What determines the scope of concern?
The global climate has been operating fairly stably since the dawn of civilization and agriculture roughly 10,00 years ago, and while global warming and cooling are a natural element of that operation, human action is superimposed over natural climate cycles. To what degree are these cycles truly effected by human activity? Should we be operating as a global community? Are all local environmental issues automatically a global concern?
Yesterday I was having a conversation with some friends over a few causal beers, and we got on the topic of local activism. We were originally talking about the upcoming COP18 meeting in Khatar and the general failure of these global environmental meetings. One friend wondered whether these meetings were useless to hold as nothing tends to be solved and the carbon emissions required to transport representative leaders from all over the world are extremely counterproductive to the cause. The counter argument was that to cancel these meetings altogether was to give-up and although typically unsuccessful at least the effort was being made. We then began to discuss local activism and how it is through small community change that large-scale change is eventually sparked. So while Canadian environmentalists may or may not have been encouraged by foreign nations, this was likely the result of a successful local movement somewhere else sparking consciousness in other communities.
Which leads me to wonder why we don't treat the entire globe as our local community? Its so difficult to generate change from COP meetings because everyone is too busy seeking their personal agendas, but if we start to think as individuals from foreign nations as neighbors, couldn't these boundaries in perception be bridged? I think it all comes down to compartmentalization and specialization of knowledge--we fail to consider the alternative view point because we are so obsessed with our own. Don't get me wrong, knowledge specialization has resulted in great technological advancement, that is inarguable, however when we look at the world through these fragmented lenses we miss the bigger picture. It takes using universal knowledge to truly generate change... is this impossible? Are we too narrow-minded to achieve such a level of awareness? Perhaps I have too much faith in the human race. We are a species that prides itself on specializing-- learning more and more about less and less until we know everything about nothing, maybe we are doomed.... With Harper at the wheel Canadian's definitely are.
The global climate has been operating fairly stably since the dawn of civilization and agriculture roughly 10,00 years ago, and while global warming and cooling are a natural element of that operation, human action is superimposed over natural climate cycles. To what degree are these cycles truly effected by human activity? Should we be operating as a global community? Are all local environmental issues automatically a global concern?
Yesterday I was having a conversation with some friends over a few causal beers, and we got on the topic of local activism. We were originally talking about the upcoming COP18 meeting in Khatar and the general failure of these global environmental meetings. One friend wondered whether these meetings were useless to hold as nothing tends to be solved and the carbon emissions required to transport representative leaders from all over the world are extremely counterproductive to the cause. The counter argument was that to cancel these meetings altogether was to give-up and although typically unsuccessful at least the effort was being made. We then began to discuss local activism and how it is through small community change that large-scale change is eventually sparked. So while Canadian environmentalists may or may not have been encouraged by foreign nations, this was likely the result of a successful local movement somewhere else sparking consciousness in other communities.
Which leads me to wonder why we don't treat the entire globe as our local community? Its so difficult to generate change from COP meetings because everyone is too busy seeking their personal agendas, but if we start to think as individuals from foreign nations as neighbors, couldn't these boundaries in perception be bridged? I think it all comes down to compartmentalization and specialization of knowledge--we fail to consider the alternative view point because we are so obsessed with our own. Don't get me wrong, knowledge specialization has resulted in great technological advancement, that is inarguable, however when we look at the world through these fragmented lenses we miss the bigger picture. It takes using universal knowledge to truly generate change... is this impossible? Are we too narrow-minded to achieve such a level of awareness? Perhaps I have too much faith in the human race. We are a species that prides itself on specializing-- learning more and more about less and less until we know everything about nothing, maybe we are doomed.... With Harper at the wheel Canadian's definitely are.
Sunday, 8 April 2012
Just A Little Beauty at Midnight on A Sunday
"Delight is a secret. And the secret is this: to grow quiet and listen; to stop thinking, stop moving, almost to stop breathing; to create inner stillness in which, like mice in a deserted house, capacities and awarenesses too wayward and too fugitive for everyday use may delicately emerge. Oh, welcome them home! For these are the long lost children of the human mind. Give them close and loving attention, for they are weakened by centuries of neglect. In return they will open your eyes to a new world within the known world, they will take you hand, as children do, and bring you where life is always nascent, day always dawning. Suddenly and miraculously, as you walk home in the dark, you are aware of the insubstantial shimmering essence that lies within appearances; the air is filled with expectancy, alive with meaning: the stranger, gliding by in the lamp-lit street, carries silently past you in the night the whole mystery of his life..." (Alan McGlashan, The Savage and Beautiful Country)
Life In A Day
Life In A Day
- A documentary that will make you appreciate the world around you and the secret connectivity we all share and fail to recognize.
Thursday, 29 March 2012
Its All About Perspective...
Some amazing brain food, eat it up!! Learning is neat!
- Harper Government (BOOOOO!) budget cuts: http://www.dcnonl.com/article/id49491/--harper-government-cuts-52-billion-in-annual-spending-in-2012-budget
- Northern Gateway Pipeline (Are you kidding me?): http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/perils-threatening-the-northern-gateway-pipeline/article2353245/
- Deciphering the effects of the ocean on the human brain (connecting ecology with psychology = a paradigm shift in the way we interpret the world... perhaps we can begin to recognize that ourselves as part of the great ecosystem of Earth as opposed to identifying ourselves as facilitators treating the planet like a plaything?): http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/nature/The-Touchy-Feely-But-Totally-Scientific-Methods-Of-Wallace-J-Nichols.html
- Green Roofs?? (options for sustainable building techniques... hurrah for innovation!): http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/green-roofs
- Ride don't drive (imagine a rush hour without any cars... is it still considered a rush hour?): http://www.good.is/post/what-rush-hour-could-look-like-the-glorious-bike-traffic-of-utrecht-holland/
- Genetically Modified Organisms or GMOs (necessary for the ever growing population or an attempt at monopolizing the food market?): http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/genetics_modification/
That is all for now... I have a feeling I will use this as a forum to document all the cool articles I find so I expect to be doing this kind of blog post often.
Peace and Love
Shauna
The Capitalistic Dream
I consider myself to be a politically and socially liberal person. Although some may consider me a naive idealist, I fully support the values set forth by largely socialist regimes.
In the article "Why Capitalism is Good For the Soul" (http://www.insideronline.org/archives/2008/spring/chap3.pdf) by Peter Saunders, socialism is compared with capitalism and is largely critiqued as a nonviable political institution.
Saunders writes:
In the article "Why Capitalism is Good For the Soul" (http://www.insideronline.org/archives/2008/spring/chap3.pdf) by Peter Saunders, socialism is compared with capitalism and is largely critiqued as a nonviable political institution.
Saunders writes:
"Where capitalism delivers but cannot inspire, socialism inspires despite never having delivered. Socialism’s
history is littered with repeated failures and with human misery on a massive scale, yet it still attracts smiles rather than curses from people who never had to live under it" (Saunders, 15).
Saunders characterizes socialism as an opposing, romantic ideology with little to no merit (despite the continuing success of countries currently embracing socialist values like Sweden and Cuba). However, recent actions by the Harper government to further a capitalistic agenda in Canada is transforming the image of the country from the progressive, northern peace-keeper, to the money-hungry, power-thirsty, gas-guzzling capital of the first world. An empire upon which Stephen Harper perches menacingly, rubbing his hands together, in a crisply pressed suit.
Allow me to paint a little picture of the initiatives recently adopted by the Canadian Conservative Party in the last few months:
1. In 2005 it came to the attention of the Aboriginal populous of British Columbia that Enbridge Inc. had proposed the construction of a major pipeline project. “The Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline” (http://www.northerngateway.ca/) was designed to extend from the Edmonton area of Alberta to the coastal community of Kitimat, BC to transport products excavated from the Albertan tar sands. Consisting of two pipelines, one a westerly flowing, 1,177km long pipe designed to carry 525,000 barrels of oil per day from the Albertan tar sands to Kitimat, and one easterly flowing, 1,177km long pipe designed to transport 193,000 barrels of condensate from Kitimat back to the Edmonton area. Construction is estimated to commence in 2014 pending government approval . Despite multiple criticisms, especially from aboriginal peoples, the Harper government is largely in support of the project due to extensive employment opportunities and potential economic growth. However, this proposed construction project taken together with the development of the Albertan tar sands presents massive environmental concerns; most notably: land degradation; habitat destruction; species endangerment; decimation of traditional aboriginal lands; water contamination; and increased carbon emissions.Though reports throughout the Fall of 2011 and even into early 2012 stated that Harper wanted to leave the final decision about whether or not to construct the pipeline to Canadians (http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/01/16/pol-harper-mansbridge-interview.html), more recent reports divulge details of negotiations with Asia about the pipelines imminent construction (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/energy-and-resources/ottawa-clears-hurdles-to-resource-development/article2386106/). However, while the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline promises to boost Canadian employment and stimulate the economy, the risks involved with its construction weaken the affluence of potential economic growth. Furthermore, economist Robyn Allen theorizes that “the premium price received for oil going to Asia would force up the price in Canada by $2.00-$3.00/barrel, an effect that would dampen the Canadian economy and counteract any benefits accruing from the pipeline”. Keep in mind, a large portion of eastern Canada operates on foreign oil. Raising the question, why export oil rather than supply all of Canada with "local oil"?
2. In February of 2012, the Harper government altered the definition of the Canadian recognition of terrorist to include environmental activists (http://www.vancouverobserver.com/sustainability/2012/02/10/are-canadian-environmentalists-terrorist-threat).
3. On March 29 of 2012 a $115 million dollar slash was made to the CBC budget (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/cbc-sees-government-funding-slashed-by-115-million/article2386144/?utm_medium=Feeds%3A%20RSS%2FAtom&utm_source=Politics&utm_content=2386144) and the 35 year-running, Canadian youth volunteer program, Katimavik was eliminated from funding altogether (http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/03/28/katimavik-cuts-budget-2012-canada-federal_n_1385668.html). The CBC is a company encouraging the cultivation of creativity among Canadians, as well as giving Canada a strong and unique voice. Katimavik is an enlightening program which fosters community development, personal growth, and ultimately focuses on social improvement. The federal budget is, by and large, being revised to become business oriented, focusing on economic prosperity (http://www.dcnonl.com/article/id49491/--harper-government-cuts-52-billion-in-annual-spending-in-2012-budget\) as opposed to focusing on education, healthcare, or fostering creativity.
So, whilst we sit idly by watching a once great nation sink into an uneducated, unhealthy, money hungry tar pit, while we flush the pockets of oil companies full with cash, we can all rest easy knowing Harper is at the wheel, steering us toward that capitalistic dream of bigger-better-faster-stronger.
Thursday, 22 March 2012
J'adore Sharing Information!!
Alas! I may or may not have already posted today... about 10 minutes ago... but my last post got me thinking about TED talks and now I cannot help but continue to procrastinate on my Italian homework and gush about my love of spreading knowledge and of sharing information!
What a wonder to be alive RIGHT NOW, TODAY, and to have the opportunity to learn SO much at any given moment!! We have an unlimited amount of knowledge right at our fingertips if only we are willing to open up it and embrace it.
I had a conversation with my Grandmother roughly two years ago and I recall talking to her about television. She told me that when she was growing up during the Dirty Thirties many people living on her street were in extreme want and truly suffering. However, her father worked for Coca Cola and apparently no matter how hard things got people could always afford a Coke. So, as it turned out, her parents were the first in the neighborhood to purchase a television set. She told me she remembered sitting there--surrounded by all the neighborhood children--watching TV for the first time, and thinking "Wow, I don't think it could ever get any better than this!". Its strange, I feel the same way about technology now... I go to 3D movies and carry around my lightweight laptop, and cannot imagine how "they" (the omniscient, infallible and anonymous "they") will ever outdo what "they" have already done... and then "they" do. Its amazing.
We are so limitless in our ambition and in our thirst to take everything just a step farther. That is the one thing that I love most and hate most about human beings: our insatiable curiosity. A book I read recently by a historian, Ronald Wright, pointed out that in the last 1,000 (give or take) years human beings have not evolved physically, however our technology and knowledge base has. So although we consider ourselves far superior to our "primitive" ancestors who hunted and gathered and subsisted directly off the land, in truth we are the exact same people--who perhaps have run a little faster than our legs can carry us. After all, we have made some extreme and astounding discoveries, but in the same breath we often make those discoveries without addressing the possibility that they may generate just as much harm as they do good. Its an awful paradox... Something Wright refers to as a "Progress Trap"... Furthermore, when it comes down to it and the current (extremely flawed and largely broken) food system collapses... we will wish we were still those people who knew how to grow food and survive off the land like those "primitive" ancestors of ours. Its predicted that by 2050 the world's population will have increased by 2-2.5 billion people and 80% of the global population will be living in urban areas. Which means we will have a population of roughly 9 billion who are depending on less than 20% of the population to produce our food. A recipe (pun INTENDED) for disaster.
I could argue these points for hours and days (and believe you me I may still just go ahead and do that in the future) but it turns out its after midnight and I have a test tomorrow that I should have been studying for three hours ago so here is my rant about TED (who is Ted really??) and that will be it from me... for now!
Ken Robinson, has given one of the most popular TED talks to date, its about education and the way we embrace and cultivate knowledge. He presents an absolutely vital perspective in truly understanding what it means to "know": http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html. Its an amazing talk.... I was lucky enough to be able to attend TEDxHalifax a few weeks ago, it was absolutely inspiring. We were allowed the opportunity to hear from such people as a brilliant marine biologist considering the culture of whales (Hal Whitehead... he is so wonderful I have heard him lecture many times and its always such a treat); a remarkable cancer researcher who has discovered a new way to fight the disease; and a neuroscientist who has developed technology by which to provide medical care via satellite communication systems. That is not even including all kinds of local musically and artistically inclined individuals who rendered the audience speechless with their vast array of talent. Seriously, anyone who is looking to inspire change or even just hoping for a chance to expand their knowledge base, look into upcoming TED talks in your area or even just hit up the site, its such a good way to spend twenty minutes.
Here are some of my personal favorites:
Elizabeth Gilbert (author of Eat, Pray Love): http://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html
Chimamanda Adichie (Author): http://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story.html
Aimee Mullins: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQ0iMulicgg
"Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will spend its whole life thinking it is stupid" - Albert Einstein
Keep it Real, Keep it Green
Shauna
What a wonder to be alive RIGHT NOW, TODAY, and to have the opportunity to learn SO much at any given moment!! We have an unlimited amount of knowledge right at our fingertips if only we are willing to open up it and embrace it.
I had a conversation with my Grandmother roughly two years ago and I recall talking to her about television. She told me that when she was growing up during the Dirty Thirties many people living on her street were in extreme want and truly suffering. However, her father worked for Coca Cola and apparently no matter how hard things got people could always afford a Coke. So, as it turned out, her parents were the first in the neighborhood to purchase a television set. She told me she remembered sitting there--surrounded by all the neighborhood children--watching TV for the first time, and thinking "Wow, I don't think it could ever get any better than this!". Its strange, I feel the same way about technology now... I go to 3D movies and carry around my lightweight laptop, and cannot imagine how "they" (the omniscient, infallible and anonymous "they") will ever outdo what "they" have already done... and then "they" do. Its amazing.
We are so limitless in our ambition and in our thirst to take everything just a step farther. That is the one thing that I love most and hate most about human beings: our insatiable curiosity. A book I read recently by a historian, Ronald Wright, pointed out that in the last 1,000 (give or take) years human beings have not evolved physically, however our technology and knowledge base has. So although we consider ourselves far superior to our "primitive" ancestors who hunted and gathered and subsisted directly off the land, in truth we are the exact same people--who perhaps have run a little faster than our legs can carry us. After all, we have made some extreme and astounding discoveries, but in the same breath we often make those discoveries without addressing the possibility that they may generate just as much harm as they do good. Its an awful paradox... Something Wright refers to as a "Progress Trap"... Furthermore, when it comes down to it and the current (extremely flawed and largely broken) food system collapses... we will wish we were still those people who knew how to grow food and survive off the land like those "primitive" ancestors of ours. Its predicted that by 2050 the world's population will have increased by 2-2.5 billion people and 80% of the global population will be living in urban areas. Which means we will have a population of roughly 9 billion who are depending on less than 20% of the population to produce our food. A recipe (pun INTENDED) for disaster.
I could argue these points for hours and days (and believe you me I may still just go ahead and do that in the future) but it turns out its after midnight and I have a test tomorrow that I should have been studying for three hours ago so here is my rant about TED (who is Ted really??) and that will be it from me... for now!
Ken Robinson, has given one of the most popular TED talks to date, its about education and the way we embrace and cultivate knowledge. He presents an absolutely vital perspective in truly understanding what it means to "know": http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html. Its an amazing talk.... I was lucky enough to be able to attend TEDxHalifax a few weeks ago, it was absolutely inspiring. We were allowed the opportunity to hear from such people as a brilliant marine biologist considering the culture of whales (Hal Whitehead... he is so wonderful I have heard him lecture many times and its always such a treat); a remarkable cancer researcher who has discovered a new way to fight the disease; and a neuroscientist who has developed technology by which to provide medical care via satellite communication systems. That is not even including all kinds of local musically and artistically inclined individuals who rendered the audience speechless with their vast array of talent. Seriously, anyone who is looking to inspire change or even just hoping for a chance to expand their knowledge base, look into upcoming TED talks in your area or even just hit up the site, its such a good way to spend twenty minutes.
Here are some of my personal favorites:
Elizabeth Gilbert (author of Eat, Pray Love): http://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html
Chimamanda Adichie (Author): http://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story.html
Aimee Mullins: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQ0iMulicgg
"Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will spend its whole life thinking it is stupid" - Albert Einstein
Keep it Real, Keep it Green
Shauna
I Love Passion!
Today was the most beautiful day I have spent in a long time... Although, I have had many beautiful days in recent memory so it may only be in the top ten. Having said that, it was a summer day in March (so how bad can that truly be?); full of wonderful company and sunny day activities (barefoot soccer and reading sprawled out on the grass anyone?). I have developed the first shadings of the perma-"dirty" feet of summer from running around sans shoes all day... ahhh <3. However my favorite thing about today was an opportunity I was given to hear Dave Meslin speak for two hours while sipping (free) ice cold beer.
Meslin is an amazing activist living in Toronto (although he identifies as a "community choreographer" i.e. a community organizer whom prides oneself on a creative approach to generating change), he was amazingly inspiring and amazingly motivating! He urged that bold and creative ideas CAN change the world and although the policies that dictate our government and therefore our daily lives seem permanent and static, the world IS malleable and the only limitation we have are the limitations we set for ourselves.Meslin founded the Toronto Public Space Committee in 2001 (check it out here:http://www.publicspace.ca/campaigns.htm) and since has initiated numerous projects and programs. His main focuses are public space, voting reform, democratic renewal, and biking. He has organized such movements as "Guerrilla Gardening" which basically entails transforming un-utilized public spaces around cities (think patches of sandy soil next to a fence) into flourishing gardens. He also spearheaded the "Downtown De-Fence Project" which is a campaign that urges people to remove old fences from their yards--taking down barriers to re-connect people with their communities. He even recruited hordes of volunteers to take down these fences at no cost to the property owners! Amazing! These are just two of many of the projects geared toward change that Meslin has created... to see more check out his website: http://meslin.wordpress.com/. You won't be disappointed!
And if that isn't enough you should also check out his sweet TEDx Talk (a deep passion of mine happens to be TED Talks... if you haven't tuned in yet, now is the time to start!).
Dave Meslin @ TEDxToronto: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuHNVYW4tW0
A light wind swept over the corn, and all nature laughed in the sunshine.
-Anne Bronte
Keep It Real & Keep It Green
Shauna
Meslin is an amazing activist living in Toronto (although he identifies as a "community choreographer" i.e. a community organizer whom prides oneself on a creative approach to generating change), he was amazingly inspiring and amazingly motivating! He urged that bold and creative ideas CAN change the world and although the policies that dictate our government and therefore our daily lives seem permanent and static, the world IS malleable and the only limitation we have are the limitations we set for ourselves.Meslin founded the Toronto Public Space Committee in 2001 (check it out here:http://www.publicspace.ca/campaigns.htm) and since has initiated numerous projects and programs. His main focuses are public space, voting reform, democratic renewal, and biking. He has organized such movements as "Guerrilla Gardening" which basically entails transforming un-utilized public spaces around cities (think patches of sandy soil next to a fence) into flourishing gardens. He also spearheaded the "Downtown De-Fence Project" which is a campaign that urges people to remove old fences from their yards--taking down barriers to re-connect people with their communities. He even recruited hordes of volunteers to take down these fences at no cost to the property owners! Amazing! These are just two of many of the projects geared toward change that Meslin has created... to see more check out his website: http://meslin.wordpress.com/. You won't be disappointed!
And if that isn't enough you should also check out his sweet TEDx Talk (a deep passion of mine happens to be TED Talks... if you haven't tuned in yet, now is the time to start!).
Dave Meslin @ TEDxToronto: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuHNVYW4tW0
A light wind swept over the corn, and all nature laughed in the sunshine.
-Anne Bronte
Keep It Real & Keep It Green
Shauna
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