What Consumers Want vs. What Earth Can Provide

This is what consumers want.

Terrafugia flying car (not yet available).

Cost: $300,000

Purpose: To get from point A to point B.

This is what consumers can get. 

Tesla model S electric car. 

Cost: $80,000

Purpose: To get from point A to point B.

This is what the planet can sustainably provide.

Hammacher Schlemmer solar powered golf cart.

Cost: $9000

Purpose: To get from point A to point B.

This is what will allow the planet to replenish its overdrawn resources and return to health. 

Pedego Electric Assist Tandem Bicycle.

Cost: $4000

Purpose: To get from point A to point B. 

 Using these will heal the Earth more quickly.

Zamberlan Hiking Boots (leg power)

Cost: $400.00

Purpose: To get from point A to point B.

The Consumership Question

Remember when we were citizens?

The US is currently having a debate about putting a citizenship question on its upcoming once every 10 year census form. Far from controversial in Canada, we have had a citizenship question on our long form census since 1901. 

We do have different systems, but the whole affair leaves me with a question. In an era in which those in power have decided that citizens don't really exist any more, what does a citizenship question even mean?

Since we have all been downgraded from (active) citizens to (passive) consumers, how long will it be before our census forms quit asking about citizenship, and ask a consumership question instead?



"Do you promise to consume like there is no tomorrow?



Yes? 

You're in. 

Here is your credit card with a low, low 24% interest rate. 

Welcome. 

Exercise your consumership, and go shopping." 

Technology Limits, Nature Expands

I believe the advance of technology is limiting human potential rather than expanding it. That makes sense as the technology we are using today was not designed to increase our potential, it was designed to increase the potential of corporations to make a profit.

Our technological obsession is having a dehumanizing effect on us. In order to counter this trend, I like to put my technological devices aside and immerse myself in nature. 

We are all born naturalists. As children, our eyes are open to "the glory of the stars, the beauty of the flowers, and the mystery of life". 

That is because, as Alan Watts says, we are not born into this world, we are born out of it, "like a wave from the ocean". We are part of everything we see. We are it, and it is us.

Then we "grow up'. We adopt technology into our lives and are alienated not only from each other and ourselves, but more importantly, from nature. Bad things happen when we are disconnected from our natural surroundings.

In technological societies, the alienation from nature is almost complete. We have allowed ourselves to be limited by our toys, rather than choosing to be expanded by the natural beauty around us. 

Our truth, though, is never far away. Perpetual youth, Emerson observed, can be found in the woods. It really is that easy. When I go to the woods, I rediscover my youth, and I find the magic that has been pushed aside by infinite fake realities.

Technology promises magic, but it is a cheap illusion, as well as a distraction from all that is really important. It is true that technology can aide in our creativity if used properly, but if not, it can also stifle it.

More importantly, how can we save the environment, and develop our potential to be fully human, if we no longer consider the natural world to be an important part of our lives? 

The truth is, we can't. 

If we no longer see the magic, if we don't love Nature as we love our high tech lives, we risk losing everything that makes us human, and life on Earth possible. 

So occasionally I log off of the tech, and log on to my life. I get out into Nature, and feel that youthful magic again, that connection to my larger body, and it is pure joy.

That is what expanding your human potential feels like, and I wish everyone would take the time to experience it on a regular basis.

I am convinced that the result would be healthier humans, and a better world.

“We refuse to turn off our computers, turn off our phone, log off Facebook, and just sit in silence, because in those moments we might actually have to face up to who we really are.” 

 

- Jefferson Bethke