In part 1 of this article series, I wrote in general terms about an alternative paradigm for conceptualizing the relationship between economics and ecosystems, between the sustainability of human livelihoods and landscapes. It is not a new paradigm, by any means, but one that we seem set on relegating to a less-civilized past. Indeed the march of civilization has systematically rooted-out (or is still in the process of doing so) every example of self-reliance that it has encountered. Nevertheless, it stands as the only paradigm in history that has successfully mediated a concomitant relationship between people and ecosystems. I followed this up with some anecdotes of how capitalist ideals have come to take precedent over our democratic cultural and political ideals. To paraphrase E.F. Schumacher, the modern perception of prestige tends to vary in inverse proportion to one’s closeness to actual production; so pervasive is this notion that we sadly forsake the hard-won principles of solidarity and self-determination that we built this nation, on in the name of “looking out for number one.” Inevitably, this ego-centricity and preoccupation with the accumulation of wealth has spelled disaster for our communities and ecosystems. Read the rest of this entry »

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… and Nick’s response to my article is certainly an intelligently crafted one. Though I could, however, childishly point out that his argument is guilty of a logical fallacy called the appeal to common practice, I believe I will refrain from such and instead focus on the question he ended with:

“Do current attitudes toward illegal immigrants characterize a depraved United States, fat on its own glory, turning a back on the ideals it claims for its past?

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For those of you not familiar with Drinking Liberally, this is a social networking website that brings together like minded individuals to share in friendly debate and libations. In the spirit of the MoveOn parties that (almost) put Kerry into office, Drinking Liberally chapters meet once or twice a month over drinks (as the name implies) to discuss political issues (from a liberal perspective, as the name also implies). These sorts of groups represent some of the best that the internet has brought to our lives, helping to create new community structures during a time that the small community is an endangered species. As a liberal, a drinker, and yes a liberal drinker, I was quite pleased to learn of this particular group, and attended my first meeting last night, at a local brewery.

Though the ‘liberal’ epitaph makes for a nice play on words, it distracts from the real positive energy I witnessed last night. It seems that these groups function more than as a way to bring together angry donkeys to discuss impeachment, complain about the Patriot Act and cheer Karl Rove’s departure (though admittedly these all came up!) The organization’s slogan is “Promoting democracy one pint at a time.” Note that it isn’t “promoting gay marriage one drink at a time,” or “promoting a withdrawal from Iraq one drink at a time.” Democracy, after all, isn’t about issues, and it isn’t about liberal vs. conservative, its about rational debate amongst the people regarding the standards and challenges of life.

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I’ve been stewing some time about CBS’s upcoming reality show (read: social experiment) called Kid Nation. I’ve thought this show was just a bad idea from the start, after what I admit was a fleeting moment of interest and curiosity when I first saw a commercial for the show. But it wasn’t until NPR did a story questioning not only the production’s motives, but more importantly the long terms impacts of the experience on the children itself, that I gave the matter much thought.

No-one could possibly be fooling themselves to think that CBS made this show any reason other than to make money — and definitely not to “promote goodwill and a learning experience [for children] on a positive note,” as a mother quoted in this Detroit Free Press story hypothesized. So what’s bothering me is the general media silence and lack of public concern over the new show, the NPR show notwithstanding.

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