TY for this piece. I feel we have a tremendous amount of rebuilding (inside) to do as a society. I will speak for myself in saying I spent my 20s and 30s never looking at the inner workings of the machine. For many of those years I thought the Democrats would lead us to a better way, but with the veil being lifted on Epstein and all those around him, it is quite clear we are all held hostage in our own way, to the morally corrupt regimes in power worldwide and their desires. The citizens desire great change, but the paradox is humans do not like change and resist disruption. This lifting of the veil is paralyzing and I include myself in saying I have to find ways to check out. Because no one yet has come up with a solution. Did I mention we also like instant gratification? And safety. Trump made his supporters feel safe. Promising money, stability, safety from "others". I look at Newsom and he makes me feel safe in that he will return my equal rights. But is he safe? I argue that a system rooted in capitalism and power, with guardrails that can always be manipulated is hardly safe. The whole thing really is destructing. Perhaps that is what will happen in order to rebuild. What a time to be alive.
Thanks. I always appreciate conversations after publishing. I voted Democrat all my life finding the views of Republicans problematic at best. John McCain I could at least respect. As a kid, I remember the two parties at least reaching compromise, but over the decades Republican radicalism dragged liberal Democrats right. Other than Sanders there are no old school liberals left, which is why he's an independent now.
Both parties are owned by AIPAC and oil for the most part, wealthy and out of touch with the increasing struggles of the average person. These struggles opened the door for MAGA, preceded by the Tea Party. Wild wealth inequality drives the division and a misinformed, undereducated public is easy prey.
Capitalism appeared lovely for a while, but whether Keynesian or Chicago School relies on endless extraction on a finite planet that has destroyed a dependable climate (among other things). Only with fossil fuels were we able to achieve this. They are also nearing the end of its viable economic extraction. The best minds saw the writing on the wall 50 years ago, but the best minds don't guide political decision-making. I trust virtually no politicians at this point. Newsom represents a lesser of the evils, but falls far short of a cure. Do any politicians recognize The Limits of Growth? If some do, do any of them have the courage to speak hard truths? If they speak hard truths, how much of the public would embrace them?
The only societies that truly lived within the limits of the planet were hunter-gatherers. Civilization has offered some awesome things, but even exercised with restraint and wisdom puts a burden on the Earth which reduces our time on it as a whole. It's tragic we couldn't find a reasonable balance.
"Only when the last tree has been cut down, the last fish been caught, and the last stream poisoned, will we realize we cannot eat money." - Native American Proverb
Trump, Netanyahu, and Putin- the new Axis of Evil are promoting weapons of mass destruction and fostering terrorism. War won't work; it never has. Stop the violence, hate, demonization, and the cultural and physical climate will improve.
These wars and militaries are their own environmental disasters, well-worth focusing on, but I'll never catch up with all I would like to write. Hatred is taught and children are born color-blind. Were you out for No Kings yesterday?
Such a heartfelt, powerful essay Geoff. Key quote : “It bewilders me that mass murderers and those that destroy all creation think they are going to ascend to Heaven.”
They must believe it for otherwise they would lose their minds over the sheer horror of their actions.
Just watched Francesca Albanese present evidence of IDF torture and rape of Palestinians to the UN. It is chilling to know such sadists walk among us. Here, they're being empowered as "ICE."
I wonder how many Americans understand the seismic shift under way with this war?
Still more chilling is that such people have been a part of the human race for millennia. Still hoping science classifies them as a different species. Not based on the color of one's skin, gender, or ethnicity, but capacity for tolerance and stewardship. (I know, pipe dream).
To your question I'd say more than we dare to believe, but the numbers of those too frightened or who feel helpless to do anything are even greater.
Yes, fright and helplessness prevail as well as denial. Yes, our behavior stays the same through the ages, harnessed to fossil fuels and technology, it appears likely fatal.
Beyond imaginable. Indeed. We can see the images. We can see the crimes. But if we're not walking in those shoes, we can't comprehend the effects. If we did, these crimes wouldn't repeat.
Yes, I think normal people can feel and appreciate the suffering, but those in power have vaccinated themselves against empathy and reason. Again, more emissions from the male brain (in the ruling class at least), such as those who made the first atomic bombs. Originally the plan was to use a nuke on Germany, but that was cancelled by the arrival of VE Day. As well, on that day, Russia announced it would begin its attack on Japan in three months, and they did, to the day, August 8th. Meanwhile, the U.S. had been fire-bombing Japanese cities, but leaving six untouched. Were those people worried? Those were the short list for the nuclear bomb attacks. It was a big rush to get the bombs ready and delivered before VJ Day. Evil upon evil upon evil. And yet the U.S. keeps claiming it won WW-II. Russia did.
Thank you for sharing. Would you, Don Smith, Kim Shieh, Miguel Sanchez, José Sotolongo, Emily Bazalgette, Нація підприємців, Mary Allen-Maris, Amir Kahns, Jon Epps, Kathy L, and all please also see/share our information from Captain Dan Hanley, Captain Rob Balsamo, Amber Quitno, Professor Tony Martin, Scott Hagen, Dr. Paul Craig Roberts, Professor Graeme MacQueen, and others and help us improve it if you can. Thank you!
"The war on Iran may be our final act of ignorance." With all roads marked No Exit, how about doing some flying? Get off the charts of rules for a sane democracy and not wait for elections, but figure out how to get this demented person out of power. He's a deal maker. Make him a good one to fire all his hires and resign. Do we care if he's the richest person in the world as long as he doesn't hold elected office? Here's a way to work on what the offer could be:
Flying requires not just economic revolt, but physical revolt as well at this late stage. There is no flying, just the courage of recognizing the situation and being willing to sacrifice your life in hope of a greater good. The system is far too blind to recognize the limits of the Earth or physical boundaries we've crossed. Removing Trump wouldn't change a damn thing. The vast majority of our "leadership" is blind to reality.
I like you and wish your ideas were workable.
Back in a day not so long ago the concept of earth berm houses was advanced, but what was taught ( and zoned) for commercial expediency was the love inefficient center hall colonials. I owned one, circa 1840, built by the same man who built the church just two doors away. Not exactly a Levittown of cookie cutter houses.
The timbers were made of hand hewn timbers from the Adirondack forest nearly lumbered to death. Romantic, I loved that house and its barn that nearly broke me as a humbly incomed preservationist.
Our predicament is a product of brainwashing and lack of recognition of reality. It's sad, because hammering on that old house was an attempt to carry a small piece of enlightening history forward that failed. That house was always bigger than me.
I wrote about that house long ago when I was trying to get established here. How many have heard a word?
Workable: The meaning of WORKABLE is capable of being worked.
How about brainstorming? That’s to never say no to suggestions.
A Zoom yesterday was predictable. It was a small group and it was just intros. I talked about inspiring conversation about how to get Trump to fire his hires and resign, and I gave the link to my argument so people could read it afterwards. The person doing the intro after me started by saying, “That won’t work. He’ll never resign.”
Maybe what’s wanted and needed, for us coming out of silos and linking up as my feel for the zeitgeist says is in the air, is to be receptive. Look for how things could be. It's where good energy is to be found. Getting excited about creating what's better.
TY for this piece. I feel we have a tremendous amount of rebuilding (inside) to do as a society. I will speak for myself in saying I spent my 20s and 30s never looking at the inner workings of the machine. For many of those years I thought the Democrats would lead us to a better way, but with the veil being lifted on Epstein and all those around him, it is quite clear we are all held hostage in our own way, to the morally corrupt regimes in power worldwide and their desires. The citizens desire great change, but the paradox is humans do not like change and resist disruption. This lifting of the veil is paralyzing and I include myself in saying I have to find ways to check out. Because no one yet has come up with a solution. Did I mention we also like instant gratification? And safety. Trump made his supporters feel safe. Promising money, stability, safety from "others". I look at Newsom and he makes me feel safe in that he will return my equal rights. But is he safe? I argue that a system rooted in capitalism and power, with guardrails that can always be manipulated is hardly safe. The whole thing really is destructing. Perhaps that is what will happen in order to rebuild. What a time to be alive.
Thanks. I always appreciate conversations after publishing. I voted Democrat all my life finding the views of Republicans problematic at best. John McCain I could at least respect. As a kid, I remember the two parties at least reaching compromise, but over the decades Republican radicalism dragged liberal Democrats right. Other than Sanders there are no old school liberals left, which is why he's an independent now.
Both parties are owned by AIPAC and oil for the most part, wealthy and out of touch with the increasing struggles of the average person. These struggles opened the door for MAGA, preceded by the Tea Party. Wild wealth inequality drives the division and a misinformed, undereducated public is easy prey.
Capitalism appeared lovely for a while, but whether Keynesian or Chicago School relies on endless extraction on a finite planet that has destroyed a dependable climate (among other things). Only with fossil fuels were we able to achieve this. They are also nearing the end of its viable economic extraction. The best minds saw the writing on the wall 50 years ago, but the best minds don't guide political decision-making. I trust virtually no politicians at this point. Newsom represents a lesser of the evils, but falls far short of a cure. Do any politicians recognize The Limits of Growth? If some do, do any of them have the courage to speak hard truths? If they speak hard truths, how much of the public would embrace them?
The only societies that truly lived within the limits of the planet were hunter-gatherers. Civilization has offered some awesome things, but even exercised with restraint and wisdom puts a burden on the Earth which reduces our time on it as a whole. It's tragic we couldn't find a reasonable balance.
"Only when the last tree has been cut down, the last fish been caught, and the last stream poisoned, will we realize we cannot eat money." - Native American Proverb
Yes, the most basic wisdom is true wisdom.
Another brilliant essay Geoffrey.
Not pleasant, but necessary, unfortunately. Thank you, Michael.
Trump, Netanyahu, and Putin- the new Axis of Evil are promoting weapons of mass destruction and fostering terrorism. War won't work; it never has. Stop the violence, hate, demonization, and the cultural and physical climate will improve.
These wars and militaries are their own environmental disasters, well-worth focusing on, but I'll never catch up with all I would like to write. Hatred is taught and children are born color-blind. Were you out for No Kings yesterday?
Such a heartfelt, powerful essay Geoff. Key quote : “It bewilders me that mass murderers and those that destroy all creation think they are going to ascend to Heaven.”
They must believe it for otherwise they would lose their minds over the sheer horror of their actions.
Thank you, Birgitte.
Just watched Francesca Albanese present evidence of IDF torture and rape of Palestinians to the UN. It is chilling to know such sadists walk among us. Here, they're being empowered as "ICE."
I wonder how many Americans understand the seismic shift under way with this war?
Still more chilling is that such people have been a part of the human race for millennia. Still hoping science classifies them as a different species. Not based on the color of one's skin, gender, or ethnicity, but capacity for tolerance and stewardship. (I know, pipe dream).
To your question I'd say more than we dare to believe, but the numbers of those too frightened or who feel helpless to do anything are even greater.
Yes, fright and helplessness prevail as well as denial. Yes, our behavior stays the same through the ages, harnessed to fossil fuels and technology, it appears likely fatal.
With the collapse of law and collapse of economy, chaos ensues, beyond the imaginable. And none of this was remotely necessary.
Beyond imaginable. Indeed. We can see the images. We can see the crimes. But if we're not walking in those shoes, we can't comprehend the effects. If we did, these crimes wouldn't repeat.
Yes, I think normal people can feel and appreciate the suffering, but those in power have vaccinated themselves against empathy and reason. Again, more emissions from the male brain (in the ruling class at least), such as those who made the first atomic bombs. Originally the plan was to use a nuke on Germany, but that was cancelled by the arrival of VE Day. As well, on that day, Russia announced it would begin its attack on Japan in three months, and they did, to the day, August 8th. Meanwhile, the U.S. had been fire-bombing Japanese cities, but leaving six untouched. Were those people worried? Those were the short list for the nuclear bomb attacks. It was a big rush to get the bombs ready and delivered before VJ Day. Evil upon evil upon evil. And yet the U.S. keeps claiming it won WW-II. Russia did.
Yes, 27 million dead Russians from the war. If Hitler hadn't opened that second front the outcome would likely have been different.
Geoffrey,
Thank you for sharing. Would you, Don Smith, Kim Shieh, Miguel Sanchez, José Sotolongo, Emily Bazalgette, Нація підприємців, Mary Allen-Maris, Amir Kahns, Jon Epps, Kathy L, and all please also see/share our information from Captain Dan Hanley, Captain Rob Balsamo, Amber Quitno, Professor Tony Martin, Scott Hagen, Dr. Paul Craig Roberts, Professor Graeme MacQueen, and others and help us improve it if you can. Thank you!
https://michaelatkinson.substack.com/
🦖👀
"The war on Iran may be our final act of ignorance." With all roads marked No Exit, how about doing some flying? Get off the charts of rules for a sane democracy and not wait for elections, but figure out how to get this demented person out of power. He's a deal maker. Make him a good one to fire all his hires and resign. Do we care if he's the richest person in the world as long as he doesn't hold elected office? Here's a way to work on what the offer could be:
Can we start something?
https://suzannetaylor.substack.com/p/open-letter-to-heather-delaney-reese
Flying requires not just economic revolt, but physical revolt as well at this late stage. There is no flying, just the courage of recognizing the situation and being willing to sacrifice your life in hope of a greater good. The system is far too blind to recognize the limits of the Earth or physical boundaries we've crossed. Removing Trump wouldn't change a damn thing. The vast majority of our "leadership" is blind to reality.
I like you and wish your ideas were workable.
Back in a day not so long ago the concept of earth berm houses was advanced, but what was taught ( and zoned) for commercial expediency was the love inefficient center hall colonials. I owned one, circa 1840, built by the same man who built the church just two doors away. Not exactly a Levittown of cookie cutter houses.
The timbers were made of hand hewn timbers from the Adirondack forest nearly lumbered to death. Romantic, I loved that house and its barn that nearly broke me as a humbly incomed preservationist.
Our predicament is a product of brainwashing and lack of recognition of reality. It's sad, because hammering on that old house was an attempt to carry a small piece of enlightening history forward that failed. That house was always bigger than me.
I wrote about that house long ago when I was trying to get established here. How many have heard a word?
https://geoffreydeihl.substack.com/p/connections
Workable: The meaning of WORKABLE is capable of being worked.
How about brainstorming? That’s to never say no to suggestions.
A Zoom yesterday was predictable. It was a small group and it was just intros. I talked about inspiring conversation about how to get Trump to fire his hires and resign, and I gave the link to my argument so people could read it afterwards. The person doing the intro after me started by saying, “That won’t work. He’ll never resign.”
Maybe what’s wanted and needed, for us coming out of silos and linking up as my feel for the zeitgeist says is in the air, is to be receptive. Look for how things could be. It's where good energy is to be found. Getting excited about creating what's better.
Did you ever see what got me to be who I am? https://mightycompanions.org/suzanne/inside-the-intelligence/INSIDE-THE-INTELLIGENCE.pdf