Yes. I took feel that humanity is too far down the line of capitalism and economic gain over all else, to do enough to slow this progression, and with world leaders and billionaires intent on ignoring the science, the common person who actually cares is unheard. However, those of us who do care must carry on talking and sharing all we can, in the hope that enough people pick up the gauntlet of change and run with it. It's a long road, but we can't give up, and like you, I'm always hopeful and try and seek out the people who are making positive changes and are sharing the better news (as you are). We've got to keep going, even when it's difficult. Nature is relying on us.
Thanks, Sarah. Agreed. And I tend to go with this Václav Havel quote:
“Hope is definitely not the same thing as optimism. It’s not the conviction that something will turn out well, but the certainty that something makes sense, regardless of how it turns out.”
Fortunately, the snowy owl has a mugshot that will inspire people to defend it, unlike other endangered species. Those eyes alone should melt some frozen hearts and inspire action.
Totally agree, Margie. As unfortunate as that is for other species, the snowy owl has this going for it. Thank you for this enlightening and enjoyable post, Bryan!
I do feel so impotent. How indeed do we reverse the inexorable use of fossil fuels? The destruction of habitat? The indifference (or God help us hostility) of government? How does an individual make the difference of a butterfly's wingbeat?
We can point fingers everywhere but the reality is the industrial-consumer-capitalist system has embedded itself in every country, in every person, even those of us who love the world... we buy the newer car, the new printer, the new computer... because it seems we must in order to be part of the world??
Why is this system so seductive despite the damage it clearly causes? And despite the evidence that there is a different way to live in the world: the widespread continuous cultures living harmoniously with the earth before the industrial-consumer-capitalist system invaded.
Sadly the reality is different as Kirkpatrick Sale wrote in his 1991 book 'Dwellers in the Land', not one nation
"has made ecological salvation a significant priority, not one is prepared to abandon or even curtail the industrial economy imperiling us".
And it seems the industrial-consumer-capitalist system does not care who is in power, as Sale notes in his 1995 book 'Luddites: Rebels against the Future':
"The industrial regime hardly cares which cadre runs the state. As long as they understand the kind of duties expected of them. It is remarkably protean in that way for it can accommodate itself to almost any national system — Marxist Russia, capitalist Japan, China under a vicious dictator, Singapore under a benevolent one, messy and riven India, tidy and cohesive Norway, Jewish Israel, Muslim Egypt — and in return asks only that its priorities dominate, its markets rule, its values penetrate and its interests be defended."
...as Richard Powers wrote in 'Overstory': "they will loose by winning"... as will we all... Those of us who love the world have to keep spreading love for the world at every turn, to slow down the monstrosity, even if that slow-down is microscopic... butterfly wings and all :-)
Thanks, Greer. I've got some fairly strong (often unsorted) ideas about the intersection of capitalism and the natural world (including where I write). I haven't veered much into that lane, however. I do occasionally, but without practical answers. Here's one related post: https://chasingnature.substack.com/p/can-nations-really-save-nature
Nice piece, Bryan. The breaking news hat still fits. BTW, I shared this one on Bluesky and have at least 50 likes. This bird and its story sure resonates with people.
Thanks, Brian. (Hope all is well with the ode piece, which I liked a lot.) And I did head over to Bluesky a few months ago. Got established there, more or less. But I soon wandered off and really haven't been back much. But I'm glad you're there -- and sharing what you know and experience! Thanks again!
We won't. We can't. We don't seem to care about these things. We are too focused on economic growth.
I am torn between faith and hope, despair and reality. And I fear you are correct (as usual).
Yes. I took feel that humanity is too far down the line of capitalism and economic gain over all else, to do enough to slow this progression, and with world leaders and billionaires intent on ignoring the science, the common person who actually cares is unheard. However, those of us who do care must carry on talking and sharing all we can, in the hope that enough people pick up the gauntlet of change and run with it. It's a long road, but we can't give up, and like you, I'm always hopeful and try and seek out the people who are making positive changes and are sharing the better news (as you are). We've got to keep going, even when it's difficult. Nature is relying on us.
Thanks, Sarah. Agreed. And I tend to go with this Václav Havel quote:
“Hope is definitely not the same thing as optimism. It’s not the conviction that something will turn out well, but the certainty that something makes sense, regardless of how it turns out.”
Fortunately, the snowy owl has a mugshot that will inspire people to defend it, unlike other endangered species. Those eyes alone should melt some frozen hearts and inspire action.
Totally agree, Margie. As unfortunate as that is for other species, the snowy owl has this going for it. Thank you for this enlightening and enjoyable post, Bryan!
I guess this is why, in part, I like to write about the prosaic as well. :-)
Heartbreaking. Thank you for doing what you do, Bryan.
I do feel so impotent. How indeed do we reverse the inexorable use of fossil fuels? The destruction of habitat? The indifference (or God help us hostility) of government? How does an individual make the difference of a butterfly's wingbeat?
I wish I could answer all these questions, Diane, other than to say that we do our best, and then we try to do even a little better each day.
Such beautiful photos, sigh.
Gosh this made me really sad. We don’t deserve this planet. Hopefully we can get the numbers back up.
We can point fingers everywhere but the reality is the industrial-consumer-capitalist system has embedded itself in every country, in every person, even those of us who love the world... we buy the newer car, the new printer, the new computer... because it seems we must in order to be part of the world??
Why is this system so seductive despite the damage it clearly causes? And despite the evidence that there is a different way to live in the world: the widespread continuous cultures living harmoniously with the earth before the industrial-consumer-capitalist system invaded.
Sadly the reality is different as Kirkpatrick Sale wrote in his 1991 book 'Dwellers in the Land', not one nation
"has made ecological salvation a significant priority, not one is prepared to abandon or even curtail the industrial economy imperiling us".
And it seems the industrial-consumer-capitalist system does not care who is in power, as Sale notes in his 1995 book 'Luddites: Rebels against the Future':
"The industrial regime hardly cares which cadre runs the state. As long as they understand the kind of duties expected of them. It is remarkably protean in that way for it can accommodate itself to almost any national system — Marxist Russia, capitalist Japan, China under a vicious dictator, Singapore under a benevolent one, messy and riven India, tidy and cohesive Norway, Jewish Israel, Muslim Egypt — and in return asks only that its priorities dominate, its markets rule, its values penetrate and its interests be defended."
...as Richard Powers wrote in 'Overstory': "they will loose by winning"... as will we all... Those of us who love the world have to keep spreading love for the world at every turn, to slow down the monstrosity, even if that slow-down is microscopic... butterfly wings and all :-)
Thank you Bryan for your contribution to this...
Thanks, Greer. I've got some fairly strong (often unsorted) ideas about the intersection of capitalism and the natural world (including where I write). I haven't veered much into that lane, however. I do occasionally, but without practical answers. Here's one related post: https://chasingnature.substack.com/p/can-nations-really-save-nature
Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing this.
Such wild beauty! Thanks, Brian. Always enjoy your balance between information and emotion. 🤍
Back atcha, Julie. (I'm very much looking forward to Flux!)
That final photo is gorgeous! Beautiful framing.
Nice piece, Bryan. The breaking news hat still fits. BTW, I shared this one on Bluesky and have at least 50 likes. This bird and its story sure resonates with people.
Thanks, Brian. (Hope all is well with the ode piece, which I liked a lot.) And I did head over to Bluesky a few months ago. Got established there, more or less. But I soon wandered off and really haven't been back much. But I'm glad you're there -- and sharing what you know and experience! Thanks again!
Good to know. I will look you up there. The ode piece will run in spring issue (mid-late March, I think). Checking is done, I haven’t seen layout.