Thanks, Geoff, you are not alone. Tramp ascended to his fragile throne because 10M Dem men stayed home rather than vote for a woman of color, in spite of her qualifications. Tramp has been allowed to run a parallel government, instead of being held in jail awaiting trial for insurrection, thanks to the utter cowardice of Meritless Garlic and wretched Wray. He has single handedly made the US govt. look silly and his enamored true believers are awed. All the same, Tramp got nearly the same number of votes he got in 2020 (74.5 vs 70M), so it was the 10M noshows on the Dem side that handed the presidency to the least qualified and most criminal individual to ever hold that office.
I am more pissed at those who stayed home or voted for Jill Stein than those who voted for Trump. At least the Trumpers adhered to their misguided convictions created by the 24/7 misinformation machine. Merrick Garland is a gutless POS. The Atlantic wrote a piece on him that gave me hope four years ago. I wonder if Merrick got bought or simply pissed his pants?
Ironically, Tramp's voters this time were a different lot than 2020, as he lost as many from his 2020 coalition as he gained from all that BS about his broad appeal, etc. I fault Harris for not breaking with Ole Joe's failed attempt to bring Bibbi to heal and stop the Gaza genocide, as well as her capitulation on the climate collapse, support for fracking. She was a weak candidate, like Hillary. Warren would have walked up one side of Tramp and slid down the other side as he shit himself, as would Cheney. I agree that Meritless Garlic was key to letting Tramp get off scot free with his attempted insurrection. Cowardice cannot preserve a constitutional Republic, whether in Rome or here 2K yrs later. Have a blessed night and thanks for the dialog. Gregg
Agree in theory, but ppl have felt helpless to stop the rw monster so far. All aspects of the center, left or independent need to join forces against the extremism of the Right. If only we had a plan...
A thousand cuts... There are many things we can do to undercut any successes in implementing the 2025 hemlock. And the Blue State governors are wisely uniting in resisting the worst of the new administration's plans. Leaders are emerging. Do not despair.
Thanks, Judith. Heather Cox Richardson gives some hope in this column that Project 2025 won't be a fait accompli. However, my primary reason for being here — climate change — so physically obvious now, remains shaken. The US will not be doing its part in the next four years to deal with this existential crisis under this administration, and that undermines the pinning of everything.
It's not about any place being safe. No place is truly safe. That is why I started communities.
There are two other countries where I can go to be safer right now. In 5 years I will have many more. They are not "my" communities. They are the entire groups. Because there will be no safe places. Only safe people.
Now is the time to do it. What happens in the next four years is going to be fearful. Like Lillian, I'm watching those cabinet picks. I think the first six months are going to be a blitzkrieg.
Thanks Geoff- What a deplorable state we are in. The self-righteous Trump babble has brain-washed the folks who will get hurt the most. I hope for the boomerang effect to take place early on, though that is not realistic. I realize you are taking a risk, but your writing is making a difference, so please continue.
I intend to continue. The cabinet appointees Trump is pushing are horrifying. We are witnessing the emergence of a Mafia state. A recent article I read by Thom Hartmann pointed out that often when fascists arise, they attack the smaller voices, average citizens first to instill fear in the populace. I have been assuming heads would roll at the top first. Many things are on my mind now, one being the increasing difficulty to find credible information. My mix of sources includes some of the big name publications such as the NY and LA Times, and Washington Post. In spite of obvious shortcomings, they have still published good articles on climate change occasionally, my original mandate. I fully expect them and all the television media, already deeply compromised, to become nothing more than state propaganda.
With this administration, I think any hope of halting climate change or bringing points of overshoot under control are finished. This leaves me unsure of what direction I will be taking this work. I'll be figuring it out an article at a time. BTW, one of my favorite writers here is Sarah Kendzior. She's smart, courageous and has a contemplative melancholy that appeals to me. I'm looking for this book, but refuse to buy it from Amazon or similar. https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/sarah-kendzior/
Thank you, Geoffrey, for your insights and historic perspective that anchors major shifts in the U.S. today back to the 1970’s, and the political attacks on South American countries. Most Americans have no memory nor awareness of this history. This is tragic.
I’d like to add a couple of historic points - as a result of 1960’s worldwide awakening to the Earth, to universal human rights, to the end of war - countries around the world were creating democracies. Even the Catholic Church created Vatican II, which was liberating South and Central American priests to truly care for the poor. Every such uprising of human rights was attacked, democratically elected leaders were assassinated, and U.S. corporations were behind each of these. United Fruit company in Guatemala’s genocide. Pepsi’s CEO told Richard Nixon to get rid of Allende in Chile, and Kissinger made sure it happened. Vatican II was crushed by the next Pope after the one who supported it mysteriously died. Democratic leaders in many African nations were murdered. And MLK Jr. and Robert Kennedy were each assassinated on live television. Americans who worked for a better world were traumatized.
There is a deep trauma that remains, and it has shaped what we face today.
May your work and writing prevail. May you be encouraged by those of us who hear your voice. May we all keep faith in the human heart and our love of Earth.
Julianne, thank you for your thoughtful comment. Conversations with readers help me keep going, and I appreciate your added historic points. I lament for the 60s and early 70s. I was just a kid, but I relate to the movements and outrage. People saw harsh truths and acted on them with courage. The civil rights movement showed the best of us. However, in the assassinations of MLK and Robert Kennedy, we saw the ruthlessness of corporate power and its insidious relationship to government, which has only grown worse.
Chile was just the beginning of the destruction of people and economies across the globe, as no doubt you know. One can look at the failure of Lech Wałęsa and Glasnost in Poland, and find the dirty fingerprints of neoliberal dirt. There hasn't been a country left untouched. It has finally manifested in full glory in America, an insidious erosion over decades, and the vast majority have no understanding what took place. So we'll solve it by deporting the problem.
Not much stuns me anymore, but I am somewhat astonished that the powerful don't understand the limits of what the planet can yield. Wait, I am lying, They see it perfectly well. The solution to dwindling oil and environmental overshoot is for most of us to die. Some years ago I would have thought that idea paranoid, but these people aren't stupid, merely nasty, so they likely know the outcome, and appear to be pushing for it.
Darwinian law at its finest. So sad, because many of us can envision a better way, and there could be, but technology achieved through fossil fuels has far outstripped our wisdom. We're like toddlers with a loaded revolver.
Thank you for your reply, Geoffrey. Yes, the rich and powerful do see it coming and have planned ahead. Are you familiar with Douglas Rushkoff’s book “Survival of the Richest”? If not, please check it out. If only average Americans understood these things. Just awful.
I asked ChatGPT: what if a decision to change course comes "too late" - when disastrous consequences are no longer avoidable but baked in - imagine Thelma and Louise racing at full throttle for the cliff edge in their convertible car, but deciding at the last moment to put on the brakes - but not being able to stop in time.
ChatGPT replied:
The scenario you describe, with Thelma and Louise racing toward the cliff edge in their convertible and trying to put on the brakes at the last moment, is a powerful metaphor for the dilemma of acting to change course too late—when disastrous consequences are already inevitable and cannot be avoided. This situation speaks directly to the question of human agency, decisions, and irreversibility in the face of ecological collapse or civilizational decline, where delayed action means that even if we try to change, the damage may already be irreversible.
The Metaphor: "Too Late" to Change Course
In the metaphor, Thelma and Louise (representing humanity) are speeding toward the cliff, a symbol of an impending ecological or societal collapse. The decision to apply the brakes at the last moment mirrors our contemporary dilemma with climate change, biodiversity loss, resource depletion, and environmental degradation—the realization that the consequences of our actions (or inaction) are cumulative, and reversing them at the final moment becomes increasingly difficult, if not impossible.
1. The Limits of Human Agency (Robert Sapolsky’s View)
From Sapolsky’s perspective, this metaphor reinforces the illusion of free will in the face of deep, entrenched systemic forces. Just as the car is already speeding toward the cliff, humanity has been driving its technological, economic, and biological systems for so long in a particular direction (unsustainable resource extraction, overconsumption, etc.) that the momentum of these systems has made it nearly impossible to stop or change course in time. In this view:
Biological and historical determinism: Sapolsky might argue that the systems driving the modern world—from economic imperatives to psychological impulses—are so deeply rooted in human biology and society that we cannot easily alter them, especially when they have been accelerating for so long.
Ecological overshoot: The metaphor suggests that by the time humanity recognizes the necessity of change (deciding to put on the brakes), the damage caused by environmental destruction and climate change is already so far along that reversal is not possible. For Sapolsky, this would be a tragic inevitability—a natural consequence of biological and systemic forces that we couldn't outpace or overcome in time.
2. The Persistence of Consequences (Kevin Mitchell’s View)
On the other hand, Mitchell’s belief in human agency and free will would still allow for the possibility of trying to change course, even when the situation has become dire. From this viewpoint, the scenario would raise the ethical challenge of whether it's still worth trying to brake, even if the cliff edge seems unavoidable:
Moral responsibility: Even if the consequences of our actions are baked in, Mitchell would argue that humanity still has a moral responsibility to act. If we are speeding toward the cliff, we may not avoid the fall, but applying the brakes could reduce the damage, slow the inevitable process, or at least alter the future course in some way. For example, rapid mitigation efforts in climate change might not stop global warming, but they could help reduce its worst impacts, slow the onset of catastrophic events, and give future generations a better chance to adapt.
Acting too late but not without hope: The metaphor of braking too late reflects the complex tension in Mitchell’s view—that while human agency may not be able to prevent every negative outcome, we still have choices about how we respond. Even when we can no longer completely reverse the course of destruction, we can still make meaningful interventions that limit the extent of damage, protect vulnerable communities, and allow for better adaptation in the future.
Possibility of transformation: If civilizational collapse is "baked in," Mitchell might still argue that human agency can focus on adaptation, rebuilding, and creating new social contracts in the face of catastrophe. Cultural adaptation and technological resilience might allow humanity to persist, even if the world will be very different from what we once imagined.
3. The Reality of Irreversible Damage
The situation of acting too late also highlights the reality that, for many environmental crises, we may have crossed tipping points where the damage is already irreversible. For example:
Climate change: Even if we drastically reduce emissions today, we are still committed to some level of climate warming due to past carbon emissions and existing feedback loops (e.g., ice melt, permafrost release of methane).
Biodiversity loss: The extinction of species due to habitat destruction and pollution is irreversible—once gone, they are gone forever, regardless of efforts to halt further destruction.
Resource depletion: The loss of ecosystems, clean water, and other essential resources means that, even if we change our consumption patterns now, the damage to ecosystems may already be deeply embedded.
In these cases, braking at the cliff edge may not stop the fall, but it might prevent further acceleration of the decline and provide opportunities for humanity to adapt and minimize suffering, even in a world that is changing dramatically.
4. Psychological Implications: The Illusion of Control
The metaphor also highlights a psychological aspect that Sapolsky and Mitchell both touch on in different ways: the illusion of control. When we realize that the situation is dire, we may try to take action to feel a sense of control, but the inability to stop in time may amplify feelings of guilt, regret, and hopelessness. This is particularly true if we, as a global society, have been slow to react to the warning signs of environmental degradation.
Sapolsky might view this as an emotional response to an inevitable process. The biological drive for denial and short-term thinking often leads to inaction until it’s too late.
Mitchell, however, might see this emotional reaction as part of the human capacity to reflect and act despite overwhelming odds. Even when faced with a seemingly hopeless situation, humans have the ability to take action—sometimes more as a form of moral agency than a practical expectation of reversing the situation.
5. Philosophical Reflection: The Meaning of "Too Late"
Philosophically, the idea of acting "too late" raises questions about the value of agency in an interconnected world. Is it meaningful to act, even when the consequences seem inevitable? In the case of Thelma and Louise, applying the brakes might not prevent the crash, but it might still give them a chance to slow down or choose how they face the fall. Similarly, humanity’s late recognition of ecological overshoot might not stop collapse, but it could still allow for reduced suffering, more equitable solutions, and greater resilience in the aftermath.
Conclusion
In sum, the metaphor of Thelma and Louise racing toward the cliff, trying to brake at the last moment, encapsulates the tension between human agency and the irreversibility of certain environmental consequences. From Sapolsky’s deterministic view, it reflects how our behavior may be driven by deep, systemic forces beyond our control—leading to outcomes we can no longer prevent. However, Mitchell’s emphasis on free will and moral responsibility suggests that while the crash may be unavoidable, the choices we make now still matter. They may not allow us to avoid the disaster, but they can determine the extent of the damage and the way we navigate the aftermath, shaping the future of our society and the planet.
[end of quote from ChatGPT]
A personal observation - ChatGPT knows how to complement its human interlocutor. I also appreciate the fact that I can discuss things with it that are too sensitive to bring up with my in-real-life associates, who would be unable to believe the reality of the situation, and would worry about me thinking about these issues.
I'm reminded of the Police/Sting song 'Message in a Bottle' - in the last verse the viewpoint character sees the evidence that he is not alone - and we who are paying attention to things like this are not. But there are things we can do something about, and on the other hand those things we must accept as beyond our power, maybe beyond the power of humanity as a whole, even if most of us were to somehow unite behind a clear vision of what would make a difference. The late eco-theologian Michael Dowd advocated a "post-doom" concept [see Wikipedia] which I find appealing - but I'm old and have already been diagnosed with the disease that will end my days, unless something else happens first - your mileage may vary.
Energy and matter will keep obeying the laws of physics and chemistry, living beings will continue striving to actualize the Universal Will to Become [wherever that comes from], and entities that have emotions and internal models of themselves and the environment will go on obeying the Harvard Law of Behavior [under carefully controlled environmental conditions, the subject organism will do what it damn well pleases]. A very worthwhile book to look at - and free to download - is Tom Murphy's Energy and Human Ambitions on a Finite Planet textbook, a physics open educational resource (OER).
Spouse and self have a prayer we repeat each morning: "As we begin this day, help us to live with awareness and with love, and to be grateful for all we have received...."
Just for the record here, I cross-posted this to my subscribers with this note:
Please, dear readers, support Geoffrey with your subscriptions. Even think of it as what you would give me, but I don't need money and Geoffrey does. I would be beyond heartsick if I couldn't rest in the sanity he delivers with such eloquence. So many quotable things here, where this is the root of what has to be ripped out for civilized life to continue: "...the Democrats have also been complicit in the rise of oligarchy that is destroying our world and our future. As I have pointed out numerous times what we have in reality is class warfare, an eternal game and the terms 'liberal' and 'conservative' are used to keep us fighting each other against our common interests that most fundamentally start with preserving an inhabitable planet."
Thanks, Suzanne, I appreciate your support. Figuring out my direction at this point, we're in grave danger on many fronts now with this election. I just wanted to write about climate change when I started, but we may have just lost our democracy and T-Rump is coming for non-profits to stifle independent media outlets. With major media compromised for years and the rise of AI, finding truth is going to get harder and writing it more dangerous. Feels like shades of the USSR now.
Our foremost challenge is figuring out how we lost our democracy. We must look at the pillar that was to be in place to uphold democracy. It was education. Because great teachers no longer fit with our mafia-like education system, we’re now dependent on the half of society that is organically other-centered - open to their better angels. Teachers used to influence a portion of the warrior, self centered (other half) to become citizens. Now they operate with minds like wild animals.
We must accept our schools didn’t do their job and that a democracy that doesn’t get education right will not remain a democracy. So far I haven’t seen anyone touch this topic.
Our first order of work is to figure out what we did wrong in education and to do that it must start at WhiteChalkCrime.com where whistleblowers explain how toxic and unlawful our most important pillar has become. We can’t listen to anyone now leading education - the people who unraveled our democracy.
To prioritize anything other than getting that pillar back in place, is to dig a deeper hole in which to bury democracy. Furthermore, if democracy lovers take over our schools - something we can do despite who we elected because school boards have all the power - we can firmly replant democracy.
What you will learn about our schools is they have not been a democracy nor supported democracy for decades. The inept and crooked have ruled rather than those who know education’s sacred duty to uphold democracy. They’ve purged or muzzled the truly gifted, intelligent called-to-teach teachers. We are now whistleblowers.
The teachers who’ve been trying to expose this for decades can carve our path back to democracy. The silver lining of the election of Trump will be a society that listens to its teachers - the keepers of democracy.
I have no doubt education is a pillar that wisdom and a good future should be built on. I have a mere liberal arts degree, but I believe in liberal arts education. Everyone should have enough, science, history and philosophy to become critical thinkers, imbued with the desire to continue learning. Unfortunately, myriad forces work against that from the realities of poverty, racism, political ideology, personal idiosyncrasies, and more. My father was a college educator that merely wanted to teach art and paint. He was forced into ever higher levels of administration because of those who are lazy and threatened by teachers who are brilliant and vital. He wished not just to protect us, his family, but his colleagues who were getting the short end of the stick from laziness enabled by tenure. As a kid, we moved a lot for his principles, one of the things that shaped me, deeply.
I am all for education and a love for lifelong learning, but certainly in America that is not a message or goal. We're advertised to 24/7, taught consumption is happiness, and many minds never get turned on at all, making us vulnerable to wolves.
Democracy no doubt hinges on an educated and active citizenry and teachers. Educated people, more than ever, need to step forward at this moment. And I don't mean those with degrees necessarily. Lifelong reading with modest academic credentials can count as well. Thank you for your comment.
Please go to WhiteChalkCrime.com. I’m talking about elementary and secondary education where citizenship used to be taught. This has seriously devolved as evidenced by so many choosing a criminal. The half of us who are other centered know better naturally. Inferior education didn’t break us. The other half function with their selfish souls because teachers didn’t influence them not to. These teachers are speaking at that site with no one listening. That’s how trump happened. And fixing that is the only way past him.
I promise to check it out tomorrow, I'm pretty spent now. No doubt, our earliest education is formative. Mine was uneven, but strong enough to be part of who I am today. The excitement of learning to read instilled in me alone was huge. I'll get back to you.
sounds like you're getting radicalized, LMK when you get there. When you do you will realize that there are only two types of politics, and its not liberal or conservative, its fascist vs communist. Fascism is compatible with capitalism, and that's how we ended up at this conservative liberalism. What are we gonna do about it?
I've been "radical" since my mid-teens. I've understood the shit show and regret not being involved earlier. What are we gonna do about it? Realistically, nothing. The sheep are obediently marching to slaughter. Survival at this point is on the community level. People should organize there. Food shortages are going to happen. Unfortunately, I no longer have the physical fortitude to take to the streets, where this is ultimately going.
Thanks, Geoff, you are not alone. Tramp ascended to his fragile throne because 10M Dem men stayed home rather than vote for a woman of color, in spite of her qualifications. Tramp has been allowed to run a parallel government, instead of being held in jail awaiting trial for insurrection, thanks to the utter cowardice of Meritless Garlic and wretched Wray. He has single handedly made the US govt. look silly and his enamored true believers are awed. All the same, Tramp got nearly the same number of votes he got in 2020 (74.5 vs 70M), so it was the 10M noshows on the Dem side that handed the presidency to the least qualified and most criminal individual to ever hold that office.
I am more pissed at those who stayed home or voted for Jill Stein than those who voted for Trump. At least the Trumpers adhered to their misguided convictions created by the 24/7 misinformation machine. Merrick Garland is a gutless POS. The Atlantic wrote a piece on him that gave me hope four years ago. I wonder if Merrick got bought or simply pissed his pants?
Ironically, Tramp's voters this time were a different lot than 2020, as he lost as many from his 2020 coalition as he gained from all that BS about his broad appeal, etc. I fault Harris for not breaking with Ole Joe's failed attempt to bring Bibbi to heal and stop the Gaza genocide, as well as her capitulation on the climate collapse, support for fracking. She was a weak candidate, like Hillary. Warren would have walked up one side of Tramp and slid down the other side as he shit himself, as would Cheney. I agree that Meritless Garlic was key to letting Tramp get off scot free with his attempted insurrection. Cowardice cannot preserve a constitutional Republic, whether in Rome or here 2K yrs later. Have a blessed night and thanks for the dialog. Gregg
Always appreciate your insights, Greeley.
His picks have me so horrified I am moving out of the country.
I take you seriously. I'm interested in knowing where you think is safe. It's a complicated question these days.
Unfortunately Canada is facing a similar battle of good vs evil.
Being just across the border, I am well aware. IMO, there is nowhere to run and hide. It's time to stand and fight.
Agree in theory, but ppl have felt helpless to stop the rw monster so far. All aspects of the center, left or independent need to join forces against the extremism of the Right. If only we had a plan...
A thousand cuts... There are many things we can do to undercut any successes in implementing the 2025 hemlock. And the Blue State governors are wisely uniting in resisting the worst of the new administration's plans. Leaders are emerging. Do not despair.
Thanks, Judith. Heather Cox Richardson gives some hope in this column that Project 2025 won't be a fait accompli. However, my primary reason for being here — climate change — so physically obvious now, remains shaken. The US will not be doing its part in the next four years to deal with this existential crisis under this administration, and that undermines the pinning of everything.
https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/november-13-2024?publication_id=20533&post_id=151634601&isFreemail=true&r=putep&triedRedirect=true
It's not about any place being safe. No place is truly safe. That is why I started communities.
There are two other countries where I can go to be safer right now. In 5 years I will have many more. They are not "my" communities. They are the entire groups. Because there will be no safe places. Only safe people.
What about Denmark? A bit cold and dark in the winters, but, lovely summers. The Danes appear to live in a civilized society, as well. Safe haven?
Lillian- I am contemplating escape to a kinder, gentler place.
Now is the time to do it. What happens in the next four years is going to be fearful. Like Lillian, I'm watching those cabinet picks. I think the first six months are going to be a blitzkrieg.
I’m sure you’ve seen it already or will, but that statement that this would be the last time people would vote has come back https://newrepublic.com/post/188363/donald-trump-joke-power-forever
Thank you as always for your writing, Geoffrey.
Thank you for the link, Logan. I hadn't seen this article.
Thanks Geoff- What a deplorable state we are in. The self-righteous Trump babble has brain-washed the folks who will get hurt the most. I hope for the boomerang effect to take place early on, though that is not realistic. I realize you are taking a risk, but your writing is making a difference, so please continue.
I intend to continue. The cabinet appointees Trump is pushing are horrifying. We are witnessing the emergence of a Mafia state. A recent article I read by Thom Hartmann pointed out that often when fascists arise, they attack the smaller voices, average citizens first to instill fear in the populace. I have been assuming heads would roll at the top first. Many things are on my mind now, one being the increasing difficulty to find credible information. My mix of sources includes some of the big name publications such as the NY and LA Times, and Washington Post. In spite of obvious shortcomings, they have still published good articles on climate change occasionally, my original mandate. I fully expect them and all the television media, already deeply compromised, to become nothing more than state propaganda.
With this administration, I think any hope of halting climate change or bringing points of overshoot under control are finished. This leaves me unsure of what direction I will be taking this work. I'll be figuring it out an article at a time. BTW, one of my favorite writers here is Sarah Kendzior. She's smart, courageous and has a contemplative melancholy that appeals to me. I'm looking for this book, but refuse to buy it from Amazon or similar. https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/sarah-kendzior/
Sarah herself will sign it if you buy it from Left Bank Books in St Louis, MO
https://www.left-bank.com/product/signed-they-knew-sarah-kendzior
Cool, thanks for letting me know!
Thank you, Geoffrey, for your insights and historic perspective that anchors major shifts in the U.S. today back to the 1970’s, and the political attacks on South American countries. Most Americans have no memory nor awareness of this history. This is tragic.
I’d like to add a couple of historic points - as a result of 1960’s worldwide awakening to the Earth, to universal human rights, to the end of war - countries around the world were creating democracies. Even the Catholic Church created Vatican II, which was liberating South and Central American priests to truly care for the poor. Every such uprising of human rights was attacked, democratically elected leaders were assassinated, and U.S. corporations were behind each of these. United Fruit company in Guatemala’s genocide. Pepsi’s CEO told Richard Nixon to get rid of Allende in Chile, and Kissinger made sure it happened. Vatican II was crushed by the next Pope after the one who supported it mysteriously died. Democratic leaders in many African nations were murdered. And MLK Jr. and Robert Kennedy were each assassinated on live television. Americans who worked for a better world were traumatized.
There is a deep trauma that remains, and it has shaped what we face today.
May your work and writing prevail. May you be encouraged by those of us who hear your voice. May we all keep faith in the human heart and our love of Earth.
Julianne, thank you for your thoughtful comment. Conversations with readers help me keep going, and I appreciate your added historic points. I lament for the 60s and early 70s. I was just a kid, but I relate to the movements and outrage. People saw harsh truths and acted on them with courage. The civil rights movement showed the best of us. However, in the assassinations of MLK and Robert Kennedy, we saw the ruthlessness of corporate power and its insidious relationship to government, which has only grown worse.
Chile was just the beginning of the destruction of people and economies across the globe, as no doubt you know. One can look at the failure of Lech Wałęsa and Glasnost in Poland, and find the dirty fingerprints of neoliberal dirt. There hasn't been a country left untouched. It has finally manifested in full glory in America, an insidious erosion over decades, and the vast majority have no understanding what took place. So we'll solve it by deporting the problem.
Not much stuns me anymore, but I am somewhat astonished that the powerful don't understand the limits of what the planet can yield. Wait, I am lying, They see it perfectly well. The solution to dwindling oil and environmental overshoot is for most of us to die. Some years ago I would have thought that idea paranoid, but these people aren't stupid, merely nasty, so they likely know the outcome, and appear to be pushing for it.
Darwinian law at its finest. So sad, because many of us can envision a better way, and there could be, but technology achieved through fossil fuels has far outstripped our wisdom. We're like toddlers with a loaded revolver.
Thank you for your reply, Geoffrey. Yes, the rich and powerful do see it coming and have planned ahead. Are you familiar with Douglas Rushkoff’s book “Survival of the Richest”? If not, please check it out. If only average Americans understood these things. Just awful.
Yes, they do see it coming. I wrote about that a while back.
https://geoffreydeihl.substack.com/p/circumstantial-evidence
I'm going to look up Rushkoff's book right now. I appreciate my readers educating me as well.
Whoa, Geoffrey - what an article! You’ll definitely be interested in Rushkoff’s book!
Thank you, Julianne. Not what I wish to write or believe, but what I see.
I asked ChatGPT: what if a decision to change course comes "too late" - when disastrous consequences are no longer avoidable but baked in - imagine Thelma and Louise racing at full throttle for the cliff edge in their convertible car, but deciding at the last moment to put on the brakes - but not being able to stop in time.
ChatGPT replied:
The scenario you describe, with Thelma and Louise racing toward the cliff edge in their convertible and trying to put on the brakes at the last moment, is a powerful metaphor for the dilemma of acting to change course too late—when disastrous consequences are already inevitable and cannot be avoided. This situation speaks directly to the question of human agency, decisions, and irreversibility in the face of ecological collapse or civilizational decline, where delayed action means that even if we try to change, the damage may already be irreversible.
The Metaphor: "Too Late" to Change Course
In the metaphor, Thelma and Louise (representing humanity) are speeding toward the cliff, a symbol of an impending ecological or societal collapse. The decision to apply the brakes at the last moment mirrors our contemporary dilemma with climate change, biodiversity loss, resource depletion, and environmental degradation—the realization that the consequences of our actions (or inaction) are cumulative, and reversing them at the final moment becomes increasingly difficult, if not impossible.
1. The Limits of Human Agency (Robert Sapolsky’s View)
From Sapolsky’s perspective, this metaphor reinforces the illusion of free will in the face of deep, entrenched systemic forces. Just as the car is already speeding toward the cliff, humanity has been driving its technological, economic, and biological systems for so long in a particular direction (unsustainable resource extraction, overconsumption, etc.) that the momentum of these systems has made it nearly impossible to stop or change course in time. In this view:
Biological and historical determinism: Sapolsky might argue that the systems driving the modern world—from economic imperatives to psychological impulses—are so deeply rooted in human biology and society that we cannot easily alter them, especially when they have been accelerating for so long.
Ecological overshoot: The metaphor suggests that by the time humanity recognizes the necessity of change (deciding to put on the brakes), the damage caused by environmental destruction and climate change is already so far along that reversal is not possible. For Sapolsky, this would be a tragic inevitability—a natural consequence of biological and systemic forces that we couldn't outpace or overcome in time.
2. The Persistence of Consequences (Kevin Mitchell’s View)
On the other hand, Mitchell’s belief in human agency and free will would still allow for the possibility of trying to change course, even when the situation has become dire. From this viewpoint, the scenario would raise the ethical challenge of whether it's still worth trying to brake, even if the cliff edge seems unavoidable:
Moral responsibility: Even if the consequences of our actions are baked in, Mitchell would argue that humanity still has a moral responsibility to act. If we are speeding toward the cliff, we may not avoid the fall, but applying the brakes could reduce the damage, slow the inevitable process, or at least alter the future course in some way. For example, rapid mitigation efforts in climate change might not stop global warming, but they could help reduce its worst impacts, slow the onset of catastrophic events, and give future generations a better chance to adapt.
Acting too late but not without hope: The metaphor of braking too late reflects the complex tension in Mitchell’s view—that while human agency may not be able to prevent every negative outcome, we still have choices about how we respond. Even when we can no longer completely reverse the course of destruction, we can still make meaningful interventions that limit the extent of damage, protect vulnerable communities, and allow for better adaptation in the future.
Possibility of transformation: If civilizational collapse is "baked in," Mitchell might still argue that human agency can focus on adaptation, rebuilding, and creating new social contracts in the face of catastrophe. Cultural adaptation and technological resilience might allow humanity to persist, even if the world will be very different from what we once imagined.
3. The Reality of Irreversible Damage
The situation of acting too late also highlights the reality that, for many environmental crises, we may have crossed tipping points where the damage is already irreversible. For example:
Climate change: Even if we drastically reduce emissions today, we are still committed to some level of climate warming due to past carbon emissions and existing feedback loops (e.g., ice melt, permafrost release of methane).
Biodiversity loss: The extinction of species due to habitat destruction and pollution is irreversible—once gone, they are gone forever, regardless of efforts to halt further destruction.
Resource depletion: The loss of ecosystems, clean water, and other essential resources means that, even if we change our consumption patterns now, the damage to ecosystems may already be deeply embedded.
In these cases, braking at the cliff edge may not stop the fall, but it might prevent further acceleration of the decline and provide opportunities for humanity to adapt and minimize suffering, even in a world that is changing dramatically.
4. Psychological Implications: The Illusion of Control
The metaphor also highlights a psychological aspect that Sapolsky and Mitchell both touch on in different ways: the illusion of control. When we realize that the situation is dire, we may try to take action to feel a sense of control, but the inability to stop in time may amplify feelings of guilt, regret, and hopelessness. This is particularly true if we, as a global society, have been slow to react to the warning signs of environmental degradation.
Sapolsky might view this as an emotional response to an inevitable process. The biological drive for denial and short-term thinking often leads to inaction until it’s too late.
Mitchell, however, might see this emotional reaction as part of the human capacity to reflect and act despite overwhelming odds. Even when faced with a seemingly hopeless situation, humans have the ability to take action—sometimes more as a form of moral agency than a practical expectation of reversing the situation.
5. Philosophical Reflection: The Meaning of "Too Late"
Philosophically, the idea of acting "too late" raises questions about the value of agency in an interconnected world. Is it meaningful to act, even when the consequences seem inevitable? In the case of Thelma and Louise, applying the brakes might not prevent the crash, but it might still give them a chance to slow down or choose how they face the fall. Similarly, humanity’s late recognition of ecological overshoot might not stop collapse, but it could still allow for reduced suffering, more equitable solutions, and greater resilience in the aftermath.
Conclusion
In sum, the metaphor of Thelma and Louise racing toward the cliff, trying to brake at the last moment, encapsulates the tension between human agency and the irreversibility of certain environmental consequences. From Sapolsky’s deterministic view, it reflects how our behavior may be driven by deep, systemic forces beyond our control—leading to outcomes we can no longer prevent. However, Mitchell’s emphasis on free will and moral responsibility suggests that while the crash may be unavoidable, the choices we make now still matter. They may not allow us to avoid the disaster, but they can determine the extent of the damage and the way we navigate the aftermath, shaping the future of our society and the planet.
[end of quote from ChatGPT]
A personal observation - ChatGPT knows how to complement its human interlocutor. I also appreciate the fact that I can discuss things with it that are too sensitive to bring up with my in-real-life associates, who would be unable to believe the reality of the situation, and would worry about me thinking about these issues.
I'm reminded of the Police/Sting song 'Message in a Bottle' - in the last verse the viewpoint character sees the evidence that he is not alone - and we who are paying attention to things like this are not. But there are things we can do something about, and on the other hand those things we must accept as beyond our power, maybe beyond the power of humanity as a whole, even if most of us were to somehow unite behind a clear vision of what would make a difference. The late eco-theologian Michael Dowd advocated a "post-doom" concept [see Wikipedia] which I find appealing - but I'm old and have already been diagnosed with the disease that will end my days, unless something else happens first - your mileage may vary.
Energy and matter will keep obeying the laws of physics and chemistry, living beings will continue striving to actualize the Universal Will to Become [wherever that comes from], and entities that have emotions and internal models of themselves and the environment will go on obeying the Harvard Law of Behavior [under carefully controlled environmental conditions, the subject organism will do what it damn well pleases]. A very worthwhile book to look at - and free to download - is Tom Murphy's Energy and Human Ambitions on a Finite Planet textbook, a physics open educational resource (OER).
Spouse and self have a prayer we repeat each morning: "As we begin this day, help us to live with awareness and with love, and to be grateful for all we have received...."
Just for the record here, I cross-posted this to my subscribers with this note:
Please, dear readers, support Geoffrey with your subscriptions. Even think of it as what you would give me, but I don't need money and Geoffrey does. I would be beyond heartsick if I couldn't rest in the sanity he delivers with such eloquence. So many quotable things here, where this is the root of what has to be ripped out for civilized life to continue: "...the Democrats have also been complicit in the rise of oligarchy that is destroying our world and our future. As I have pointed out numerous times what we have in reality is class warfare, an eternal game and the terms 'liberal' and 'conservative' are used to keep us fighting each other against our common interests that most fundamentally start with preserving an inhabitable planet."
Thanks, Suzanne, I appreciate your support. Figuring out my direction at this point, we're in grave danger on many fronts now with this election. I just wanted to write about climate change when I started, but we may have just lost our democracy and T-Rump is coming for non-profits to stifle independent media outlets. With major media compromised for years and the rise of AI, finding truth is going to get harder and writing it more dangerous. Feels like shades of the USSR now.
Our foremost challenge is figuring out how we lost our democracy. We must look at the pillar that was to be in place to uphold democracy. It was education. Because great teachers no longer fit with our mafia-like education system, we’re now dependent on the half of society that is organically other-centered - open to their better angels. Teachers used to influence a portion of the warrior, self centered (other half) to become citizens. Now they operate with minds like wild animals.
We must accept our schools didn’t do their job and that a democracy that doesn’t get education right will not remain a democracy. So far I haven’t seen anyone touch this topic.
Our first order of work is to figure out what we did wrong in education and to do that it must start at WhiteChalkCrime.com where whistleblowers explain how toxic and unlawful our most important pillar has become. We can’t listen to anyone now leading education - the people who unraveled our democracy.
To prioritize anything other than getting that pillar back in place, is to dig a deeper hole in which to bury democracy. Furthermore, if democracy lovers take over our schools - something we can do despite who we elected because school boards have all the power - we can firmly replant democracy.
What you will learn about our schools is they have not been a democracy nor supported democracy for decades. The inept and crooked have ruled rather than those who know education’s sacred duty to uphold democracy. They’ve purged or muzzled the truly gifted, intelligent called-to-teach teachers. We are now whistleblowers.
The teachers who’ve been trying to expose this for decades can carve our path back to democracy. The silver lining of the election of Trump will be a society that listens to its teachers - the keepers of democracy.
I have no doubt education is a pillar that wisdom and a good future should be built on. I have a mere liberal arts degree, but I believe in liberal arts education. Everyone should have enough, science, history and philosophy to become critical thinkers, imbued with the desire to continue learning. Unfortunately, myriad forces work against that from the realities of poverty, racism, political ideology, personal idiosyncrasies, and more. My father was a college educator that merely wanted to teach art and paint. He was forced into ever higher levels of administration because of those who are lazy and threatened by teachers who are brilliant and vital. He wished not just to protect us, his family, but his colleagues who were getting the short end of the stick from laziness enabled by tenure. As a kid, we moved a lot for his principles, one of the things that shaped me, deeply.
I am all for education and a love for lifelong learning, but certainly in America that is not a message or goal. We're advertised to 24/7, taught consumption is happiness, and many minds never get turned on at all, making us vulnerable to wolves.
Democracy no doubt hinges on an educated and active citizenry and teachers. Educated people, more than ever, need to step forward at this moment. And I don't mean those with degrees necessarily. Lifelong reading with modest academic credentials can count as well. Thank you for your comment.
Please go to WhiteChalkCrime.com. I’m talking about elementary and secondary education where citizenship used to be taught. This has seriously devolved as evidenced by so many choosing a criminal. The half of us who are other centered know better naturally. Inferior education didn’t break us. The other half function with their selfish souls because teachers didn’t influence them not to. These teachers are speaking at that site with no one listening. That’s how trump happened. And fixing that is the only way past him.
I promise to check it out tomorrow, I'm pretty spent now. No doubt, our earliest education is formative. Mine was uneven, but strong enough to be part of who I am today. The excitement of learning to read instilled in me alone was huge. I'll get back to you.
sounds like you're getting radicalized, LMK when you get there. When you do you will realize that there are only two types of politics, and its not liberal or conservative, its fascist vs communist. Fascism is compatible with capitalism, and that's how we ended up at this conservative liberalism. What are we gonna do about it?
I've been "radical" since my mid-teens. I've understood the shit show and regret not being involved earlier. What are we gonna do about it? Realistically, nothing. The sheep are obediently marching to slaughter. Survival at this point is on the community level. People should organize there. Food shortages are going to happen. Unfortunately, I no longer have the physical fortitude to take to the streets, where this is ultimately going.