I grew up in a Methodist Church and the Methodist church believes we are responsible for the way for use and abuse the earth. The earth and all she provides are valued because they are God’s creation not because they are useful to human consumption. We are to be God’s stewardship of his creations and this responsibility should not be taken lightly. We are to protect God’s creations through love and respect. This responsibililty is becoming even more imperative with all the new developments humans are making and threatening the environment.
The Gia hypothesis offers a valid point. I think it is totally plausible to think that our day to day actions affect the atmosphere of the earth. If we meddle too much then we could potentially meddle right to our demise. This is a striking opinion that should wake up people to the reality of the consequences their actions have.
I do think our culture is hypermasculine. I think we have made significant improvements in the last few years; however, the masculinity still exists. I also think that depending on where you are in the world, this hypermasculinity exists in greater power. Time will be the change. There are still too many people who remember a time when women served no other purpose than to do housework. One day people will look at that and laugh rather than feel like that’s how things should be.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Blog #10-Social Ecology
Social ecology is a movement that stems from the constant and ruthless exploitation of the planet. This is attributed to the constant desire to market and make money in our economy. Social ecologists disapprove to the free market because they feel it devalues the existence of natural items that come from the earth. Grow or die is the only way people not of this movement view the earth, according to the movement. Social ecology is essentially a critique of current social and ecological trends.
This is new concept to me. I have never really viewed society in this way, but this view does seem to go along with what others who support a green living lifestyle have to say as well.
The hierarchical modes of organization are to blame for the situation in which we find ourselves. According to social ecologist, individual action is not enough for to fix the hierarchical problem in our society. More radical democratic thinking is the answer. Mutalistic social structures are the answer to this problem. The hierarchies we currently have are not natural and will only further the social and political problems the social ecologists are trying to fix. Interesting reading to further think on.
This is new concept to me. I have never really viewed society in this way, but this view does seem to go along with what others who support a green living lifestyle have to say as well.
The hierarchical modes of organization are to blame for the situation in which we find ourselves. According to social ecologist, individual action is not enough for to fix the hierarchical problem in our society. More radical democratic thinking is the answer. Mutalistic social structures are the answer to this problem. The hierarchies we currently have are not natural and will only further the social and political problems the social ecologists are trying to fix. Interesting reading to further think on.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Blog #9
Arnes Naes
1. This point of the Deep Ecology movement seems to go along with the view of the Green Party which says that man and environment are one. As opposed to the standard view that mans’ needs are more important than the earth.
2. Biospherical Egalitarianism- Essentially covers the concept of an equal right to live and blossom. It is the reinterpretation of future research involving human crowding. I’m sure this point serves a purpose but it is a bit confusing to me.
3. Here survival of the fittest is redefined as the ability to peacefully cohabitate and live with others peacefully. The promotes diversity in beliefs in cultures and allows everyone to live as they chose. This is a nice concept.
4. Anti-Class posture suggests that diversity is a result of explotation. The exploited live differently from the exploiters. I never viewed diversity like this, so I don’t know that I necessarily agree with this statement.
5. Here the importance of pollution control is discussed. But one struggle the Deeper Ecological Movement faces is that often the goal of pollution prevention gives rise to other evils. Ecologist must focus on all 7 points and make sure all are being met.
6. Complexity not complication-this is a principle anyone can agree with. The movement wants the beliefs to be complex to address all their beliefs, but it should not be something impossible.
7. Local Autonomy and Decentralizatoin- here is another principle that is very similar to the green party’s views. The individual should have power. Not some large group that is removed from the cause.
Deep Ecology & Dominant Worldview
I do think the outline accurately depicts the two differing views. I think the dominant worldview is in fact representative of the average person. Most do not consider the world as an equal but as a never ending supplier to meet his or her needs.
1. This point of the Deep Ecology movement seems to go along with the view of the Green Party which says that man and environment are one. As opposed to the standard view that mans’ needs are more important than the earth.
2. Biospherical Egalitarianism- Essentially covers the concept of an equal right to live and blossom. It is the reinterpretation of future research involving human crowding. I’m sure this point serves a purpose but it is a bit confusing to me.
3. Here survival of the fittest is redefined as the ability to peacefully cohabitate and live with others peacefully. The promotes diversity in beliefs in cultures and allows everyone to live as they chose. This is a nice concept.
4. Anti-Class posture suggests that diversity is a result of explotation. The exploited live differently from the exploiters. I never viewed diversity like this, so I don’t know that I necessarily agree with this statement.
5. Here the importance of pollution control is discussed. But one struggle the Deeper Ecological Movement faces is that often the goal of pollution prevention gives rise to other evils. Ecologist must focus on all 7 points and make sure all are being met.
6. Complexity not complication-this is a principle anyone can agree with. The movement wants the beliefs to be complex to address all their beliefs, but it should not be something impossible.
7. Local Autonomy and Decentralizatoin- here is another principle that is very similar to the green party’s views. The individual should have power. Not some large group that is removed from the cause.
Deep Ecology & Dominant Worldview
I do think the outline accurately depicts the two differing views. I think the dominant worldview is in fact representative of the average person. Most do not consider the world as an equal but as a never ending supplier to meet his or her needs.
Monday, February 11, 2013
Blog #8
Consensus is a relatively new decision making tool. Individual power has been the force leading many groups and organizations, but it is becoming clear the there is a need for consensus decision making. Consensus decisions honors all sides of present opinions. It takes into consideration everyone’s ideas and feelings. Everyone gets to be a part of the decision making. It is necessary to have a facilitator to help move the decision making process along, and help everyone see the common answer that begins to emerge. A weakness to this process can be that it can often take a long time to reach a consensus. Some subjects can be extremely difficult for people to negotiate on. In these instances, reaching a consensus can prove to be very challenging. The strengths are self-evident. No one feels completely alienated or like his or her opinion is invalid. The consensus process allows a group of people help draw out a common opinion that most probably did not even know existed. This process can be used in as small of an environment as household and extend all the way up to a corporate business meeting. Consensus decision making is a sure to encompass everyone’s opinions.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Blog #7-Culture Jamming
Culture jamming aims to liberate the mental environment from the consumer hungry images constantly blasted in front of peoples’ faces. Those involved in the movement want to propagate ideas rather than advertise products to consumers. Culture jammers have waged war against the very term of advertising. Culture jamming exists through commercials and billboards. The movement even encourages people to have days of mischief and public art to convey their message. Culture jammers have their own holidays like turn off the tv day and world care free day (now that sounds like a holiday I can get on board with). The Adbuster’s website offers plenty of examples of exactly what they do within this cultural jamming movement. The specific clip of the Overview effect shows beautiful images of the earth. The images even made me want to take a trip to space, and I’m terrified of heights. But the video’s purpose is to show the beauty of the earth and make people re-think how they value the earth. People often litter and don’t take care of the Earth. This video shows the beauty of this planet that we often take for granted. The video’s purpose is to remind people the importance of preserving the earth and constant consumption is not what is most important.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)