This seems almost more timely now than last year given the severe heat some parts of our normally temperate little islands have recently been suffering. Whilst I’m worried about climate change I’m even more worried about what a handful of men are doing to the world, we may not even need to worry about climate change as they continue to pursue their evil aims, and for what. With at least one of their number who, single handedly, appears determined to pursue global warming as fast as he can whilst supplying the means to create certain death and destruction far from his own shores, it’s hard to remain optimistic.
I like the distinction between a problem and a predicament. We like to view our health problems as having a "cure", but many of our ills must just be managed and lived with over time. Similarly, there is no "solution" to the voraciousness of human nature which is a predicament we create and create without end.
Yes, I found this such a helpful distinction to make. To think in terms of a predicament allows us to fail and keep trying, to act imperfectly, to keep moving in spite of everything.
Thank you for this timely post Samantha. I too love Dougald’s book, responding to it just as you have articulated here. So many of us feel the daily actions we take are pitiful in the face of what is happening, what is urgent. What percentage of the earth’s finite resources are used daily by wars - not to mention the incalculable human death and injury toll? My separating of household rubbish seems puny in the face of it. But we walk on.
As someone who is terrified by the unmanageable of what we are facing this was an incredible read this morning. Thank you for taking the time to ground into reality and reframing. I think i need to buy this book. Terrified isn’t even the right word I am beyond terrified but I can’t tip into nihilism either. The administration is adding to the rapid decline as earth as we know it. I am holding on to slim chance that this bill won’t pass the house.
This seems almost more timely now than last year given the severe heat some parts of our normally temperate little islands have recently been suffering. Whilst I’m worried about climate change I’m even more worried about what a handful of men are doing to the world, we may not even need to worry about climate change as they continue to pursue their evil aims, and for what. With at least one of their number who, single handedly, appears determined to pursue global warming as fast as he can whilst supplying the means to create certain death and destruction far from his own shores, it’s hard to remain optimistic.
Yes, it's sobering to think how much has changed since I first wrote this last year.
I like the distinction between a problem and a predicament. We like to view our health problems as having a "cure", but many of our ills must just be managed and lived with over time. Similarly, there is no "solution" to the voraciousness of human nature which is a predicament we create and create without end.
Yes, I found this such a helpful distinction to make. To think in terms of a predicament allows us to fail and keep trying, to act imperfectly, to keep moving in spite of everything.
Thank you for this timely post Samantha. I too love Dougald’s book, responding to it just as you have articulated here. So many of us feel the daily actions we take are pitiful in the face of what is happening, what is urgent. What percentage of the earth’s finite resources are used daily by wars - not to mention the incalculable human death and injury toll? My separating of household rubbish seems puny in the face of it. But we walk on.
Yes, step by step, together. We go on.
As someone who is terrified by the unmanageable of what we are facing this was an incredible read this morning. Thank you for taking the time to ground into reality and reframing. I think i need to buy this book. Terrified isn’t even the right word I am beyond terrified but I can’t tip into nihilism either. The administration is adding to the rapid decline as earth as we know it. I am holding on to slim chance that this bill won’t pass the house.
I found this book very grounding and helpful. It reminded me not to tip into all-or-nothing thinking.