Secrets and Hope in Our Mad World

Early in 2017 I read George Marshall’s book ‘Don’t Even Think About It: Why We are Wired Not to Think About Climate Change’ and I decided I would think about it. And I would read about it. Then I would write about it.

I write as a 'non-expert' and I'm hoping that your comments will help me to see whether the insights I've

gained make sense, whether the conclusions stack up and whether it's realistic for me to start feeling

hopeful about the future .

September 16th - Digging Myself Out Of The Black Hole ...

It's now clear to me that our planet is being ravaged by an economic system which depends on physical growth and which takes little account of the well-being of people and of the environment. In the process I've got myself pretty depressed. Not a day goes by without some news items remind me that growth in the economy is god and all else must be sacrificed at the altar. Last week's little snippets  were:
A study showed what massive 'benefits' would accrue from the building of the high speed rail line. Good job I noticed that the study had been commissioned by the very company who will be making massive profits from building it!
A discussion (on good old Radio 4) about the housing shortage revealed that many first-time buyers can't get a look in when people looking for lucrative investments are buying up homes to rent out at no doubt exorbitant rents.
But, enough of that, I need to get on with finding out just what is happening to find the path to a better future.  And, if I needed an anti-depressant, what better place to look than in the Resurgence magazine and in Positive News.  Wow!, what a lot of goodies in there ... I'm feeling better already.
I'm trying to find out what is being done by way of small, local, initiatives,  to see whether Gandhi's  'Be the change you want to see in the world' will really take us to a hopeful new world.  I know that major changes have often (always?) come through grass-roots action because those in power don't willingly give it up, but I can't quite see how farmer's markets, transition towns, individuals downsizing and the rest will bring about the downfall of consumption-based industrial capitalism.   But, that's where I'm putting my hopes ...
                             
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6 comments:

  1. John Lilburne17 September 2013 at 10:48

    Posted on September 16, 2013, 4:43 pm, in reply to "Can Small Changes Bring Big Results?"

    Yes.

    Copying and Pasting a link to your site might help, too

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    Replies
    1. Finding & Harnessing Hope17 September 2013 at 10:50

      Thanks for that John - will try to do the copying and pasting although I'm not really very blog-savvy. Know what I want to say, but have difficulty in getting in touch with people.

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  2. Moni27 September 2013 at 08:35

    Eileen, what a lot of sense you talk and I especially like that you see the big picture, the doom and gloom and you are able to look for the little simple community based things which seems to be starting to appear. There i think is a huge hunger for sort of things which used to be just part of every day life: even cooking, mending clothes, baking bread, I think is it apart from resurrecting the practical skills it is the social factor, way of being sharing doing things together. And I hope these things like community gardens, orchards or Transition will not get hijacked by any corporation to be exploited for financial gain. Like you, I find it difficult to believe things can change, like you I find it hard to believe that people will willingly give anything up, and like you I see the problem of the capitalist materialism and growth forever, but there have been events in the history which started with one guy or lass (though that did not happen that often) and ended up changing the course of humanity. Nothing is impossible to a willing heart. Our task is to open our hearts and of those around us. Let the fire spread

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  3. Finding & Harnessing Hope28 September 2013 at 00:37

    Thank you so much Moni for your words of encouragement. My son and I have decided to send each other a message of good news each week - no good relying on the media for any good news because they seem completely blind to it!
    Am continuing in my search for what postitive stuff is HAPPENING out there. A foyer event at the South Bank in London on October 15 is looking at The Occupy Movement: Two Years On. Can't get to it unfortunately but would love to find a report of it.

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  4. Unknown10 October 2013 at 15:28

    Just trawling through the internet and stumbled on your page, just stopped to say thanks for writing this. Its nice to know that not everyone has gone mad. Xxx

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    Replies
    1. Finding & Harnessing Hope10 October 2013 at 22:47

      Many, many thanks for your words of encouragement Jason. Great to know someone is out there! Am not too good at getting my blog seen by lots of folk so its great that you 'stumbled across' me. x

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