This is it

How did I get here? What was my own journey?

At the start I didn’t know how far this would go

I only wanted to know about perspective

Filling in another elective on my list

I wasn’t prepared for the dip into my emotional waters

Where a ship has never been chartered to sail

For any voyage would be destined to fail for my own deficiencies

My own mental ease put on the back burner

Left to wonder if it will ever be fully formed

But sure enough it wormed its way front and center

As a splinter jabbed my heart and all bled out

I screamed and I shouted and nothing changed

No one to blame but the state of society

The notoriety of our systems, the webs in which we spin ourselves,

Unchallenged in the hell they create

Debates centered around the who’s who of what’s what

Rather than addressing the problems we carry in our gut

And so we talk about making change through storytelling

As if rebelling can be summed up in beautiful prose

All of our woes and worries distributed

Ticked off of a list of worldly problems

Searching for a universal solvent for the muck we find ourselves in

The art of storytelling is lost

At the cost of technological advancement

Oral tradition has no “placement” in our modern world

As we are whirled out of time

A dime a minute, a dime a dozen

Where we were once cousins we are not even friends

The trends to dissolution continues

And in the venue of a tale

We are compelled to grasp at the very last straws

And from the maw of the unseen future comes light

As bright as that of all the stars combined

It is mine and is yours to pour where you will

It is called hope and it is dope son

Because even if the “war” isn’t won there are those still going

Laboring in darkness waiting for the day to come

When the daylight sun will warm our skin

And the sin we were sinking ourselves in fades away

But to get there we need voices, enumerating our pain

“Today three more acres were cut down, we no longer have clean drinking water, Kinsa has an eye infection that will not go away, I worry that we will not have enough food for the next day.”

Transforming it into a cohesive whole that can be “sold” around the globe

a lodestone of change

Pulling it all in and giving it a spin so we can  all point north

And find worth in each other

Loving one another

It will be a long, hard journey

But this lovely world we live in needs us, just as much as we need it

So we will sit at the front of the bus

And not let history tell us what to do

For all of the stories ever told, there is another one waiting to break out of the mold

So what did I do? What did I learn?

Our insignificance is insignificant. If anything it makes our individual choices stronger in knowing that this tiny twinkle is all we’ll ever have to shine with.

Most things (change) happens through happy happenstance and it is up to use to increase our opportunities for those coincidences to happen. Living a circular secluded lifestyle will never get you anywhere if you don’t make connections with others.

Philosophy has a place in every discipline but not for philosophy’s sake. If it doesn’t have relevance or serve some purpose then it is not useful. However, it is extremely helpful for shifting lenses and ways of thinking to see differently or come up with new solutions.

Everyone has a hard time reconciling personal decisions and larger societal structures/outcomes. It is us up to us as anthropologists to help people bridge that gap.

Everything is inherently political (“the personal is political”) even though it is oftentimes hard to see those connections. Cultivating a thoughtfulness about our daily actions could help counteract the mindless consumer practices that we are socialized into.

Summary of the Semester

The beginning of the semester saw us struggling with a difficult question: What change is needed in the world that only I can make. I was frustrated as many of us were because there are so many inherent assumptions in that question that conflict with truths we hold about the world. For example, there is the assumption that there is something unique about me as a person, but many of us are aware of our overwhelming insignificance in the grand scheme of things. In dealing with that we watched a short documentary about a man who was changing his world, one tree at a time. We received encouragement for the start of our writing from Pipher who assures us that change can come through the written word. In class we talked about many examples where this is the case.  Such as the book that started awareness for environmental problems and ultimately political ecology/environmental anthropology.

We learned about political ecology and how everything is inherently social and political. There is nothing “natural” about nature separate from man. We are intertwined and dependent, becoming ever more entangled the harder we try to pull away. We contemplated whether the activities of humans should constitute an entirely new geological epoch and ultimately agreed that yes, it is real. At the very least it is an extremely helpful analytical tool to help frame the environmental events that we are witnessing today.

Engaging with and wrestling with ideology and ideological changes we did. Even looking at how keeping to tradition can mean incorporating new technological advances into daily life, such as the rancher who wanted wind turbines. We challenged common sense about various energy sources, that maybe wind isn’t always all it’s cracked up to be. There are downsides for people even if the environmental damages may not be so great. We looked at transnational movements that are the product of globalization. People worlds away banding together for common issues, defending their rights to live their lives as they have been for generations.

We touched on issues that are unique to American thought control methods with Merchants of Doubt making it seem as if climate doesn’t exist. As long as an expert says it, it doesn’t matter what they are an expert in. But then we also saw hopeful resistance with Katherine Hayhoe who makes these issues relate on a different level, connecting with people on a more religious rather than political basis. She depoliticizes (in the polar republican vs. democrat sense) climate change and makes it real.

However, we also engaged with the politicization of individual choice and buying “free trade coffee.” How to assuage our guilt living in a first world country at the expense of others quality of life. How our emotions help or hinder us in tackling environmental issues. How our very countries are founded on exploitation and that’s why it’s so hard to stop. How the control of natural resources is ultimately political, marginalizing those who cannot fight and win within the system. But we also saw transnational movements in Damocracy, where those people living on opposite sides of the world facing the same problems can come together thanks to globalization, the same force that allows the poor to be exploited exponentially.

Philosophy was dabbled in, importantly so because in order to change the future we have to see differently, and part of that is mind exercise. Thinking about geoengineering, thinking about the relationship between man and nature, thinking about the reality and different forms of conservation, and even our relationship to our technologies. All of this was driven home in exploring slow violence. The consequences of choices made by individuals who didn’t consider their impact because it didn’t fit into the cost benefit analysis. Part of what allows Walmart to sell shirts for $3.00 without adding in the suffering of their workers into the price tag. Part of what allowed a company to pay Bhopal a paltry sum while toxic materials still fester in the city. Part of what allows the average American to not be aware of the fact that nuclear radiation from Fukushima is still leaking and is contaminating the food we eat from across the ocean. It is unseen, insidious and far reaching, and sometimes it takes decades to manifest in full fury; just look at Baltimore.

But that note is not where we ended. We each worked on our own individual projects that for some us hit hard. It made us think and connect with ourselves and each other on a level that wasn’t expected. We have learned so much throughout this semester engaging with the course material on issues that we  personally care about, and engaging with each other by reading and commenting and learning from our peers’ posts. We have hope and we can make change, even if it’s just a little bit at a time. Doing something is better than nothing. Right?

Burger King = Fly zapper (and things about slow violence)

Fragrant flowers

Today as I was walking home from work the sky was hanging low and there was the smell of spring in the air. Dampness, sweet flowers, impending rain, a nice breeze. The impossibility of perception washed over me as I realized that it is actually just impossible for most humans to actually see the entirety of Earth with their own eyes. All we will ever have are paltry representations (maps) or photos from those lucky enough to go into space. In that moment I found it hard to even begin to conceptualize what the whole town of Manhattan looks like from the sky. My mind strained and eventually I gave up because I had to cross the street. It is so difficult to shift levels of perception from the local to larger. When I begin to do so I feel like I am just playing with simulacra, that one person will never be able to truly see and understand. Of course, that may just be my cynicism but Ingold’s globe vs. sphere remains a main feature on my thought buffet. But to the main point of this post →

Vancouver Set to Eliminate All Fossil Fuel Use

 

Several years ago, Vancouver decided to set a goal; the city would completely eliminate use of fossil fuels. Other major cities, including Stockholm and Copenhagen soon followed suit. Now the question is exactly how and when the city will be able to meet its goal.

While already achieving about 98% renewable electricity, the city wants to eliminate every use of fossil fuels within the city, including cars and public transportation. “Vehicles will be a major challenge—converting to electric vehicles and other greenhouse gas-free forms of mobility will likely be the greatest challenge,” says Sadhu Johnston, Vancouver’s deputy city manager.

“The city is starting to build new infrastructure like separated bike lanes, dense neighborhoods next to transit stations, and EV charging at 20% of new parking spaces.” (Peters).

Vancouver will have a complete plan and outline in preparations for the UN Climate Change Conference later this year. While the city is perfecting its plans, it is also working toward a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050, as a member of a new group of cities called the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance, “which is a new collaboration of international cities committed to achieving aggressive long-term carbon reduction goals.”(USDN). (A majority of these cities are actually located in the US including; Boston, Boulder, Minneapolis, New York, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington D.C.)

Making aggressive changes within the community you live in is bound to bring around various positive changes regarding the environment. Being that the CNCA was formally launched in March of this year, hopefully we will continue to see other large, impactful cities around the world joining in on their efforts to better our planet.

For more information about the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance:

http://usdn.org/public/Carbon-Neutral-Cities.html

Rethinking Expertise - Experts as Specialized Citizens

This week I continued my reading in Fischer’s book and was pleased to find that he too, talks about many of the concepts that we have been discussing in the past few weeks. Some new things that he brings to the table and focuses on specifically, however, is the relationship between the citizen and the expert and rethinking expertise. The following is kind of an overview of chapter 2 from his book: Professional Knowledge and Citizen Participation: Rethinking Expertise.

A robot from I, Robot (2004) that was the main suspect throughout the film.

Working toward a Greener Future: Floating Solar Panels

 

With our non-renewable energy sources depleting at an alarming rate, many people have been looking into new energy and new sources for renewable energy. A new possible solution is the implementation of large, floating solar panels being developed by Ciel and Terre. “Their innovative Hydrelio Floating PV System allows standard PV panels to be installed on large bodies of water such as: drinking reservoirs, quarry lakes, irrigation canals, remediation and tailing ponds, and hydroelectric dam reservoirs.” An issue that many people find with solar panels installed on land is that they disrupt the immediate and surrounding landscape around them. Installing these panels on water still allows for companies to extract energy from the panels and still allows for the respective bodies of water to be utilized for their own separate purposes. “According to Ciel and Terre, the system is easy to install and dismantle, can be adapted to any electrical configuration, is scalable from low to high power generation, and requires no tools or heavy equipment. It is also eco-friendly, fully recyclable, has low environmental impact and its cost effective. To date the system has been installed in the UK, and a Japanese system will be installed by March 2016.” The installation of floating solar panels could potentially provide insight into the largely untapped possibilities of renewable energy sources. Let me know what you guys think in the comments below.

Find more information at:
http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/floating-solar-panels/

Precautionary vs. Proactionary?

Proactionary WITH precautionary

How to begin? Let's start with the conclusion. As with many things, especially in the socio-political realm, everyone is a little right. The error or the disagreement in my opinion comes from degrees, or lack of moderation. So rather than it being precautionary vs. proactionary, maybe it should be proactionary WITH precautionary. Diligence and vigilance; expectation and acceptance of mistakes.

The proactionary as a response to the precautionary principle made many extreme assumptions that are plain wrong. Part of this of course is to illustrate their point but we have to acknowledge what is actually happening rather than an abstract extreme. Taking precautions is not equated with the entire annihilation of innovation and creative thinking. Yes it can “slow” down the process but if anything I could see it stimulating along this front. In addressing the potential impacts you can expand and even come up with new ideas and inspiration along the way. It is simply a different mode of thinking, not a complete cessation of the other.

My Framework

Alright guys, hopefully next week I will be able to turn my time back towards Japan and 3/11 but yet again after discussion in class this week, I am left feeling uncomfortable and would like to use this space to sort out my thoughts.

In talking with other people casually about the way the world works and even our own discussions in class I am beginning to realize the extent in which I have internalized one of the first steps in being an anthropologist: suspension of judgement. So much so that I’m beginning to think that I don’t even pass judgement/have an opinion about different cultural practices because it is so easy for me to see or slip into a mindset where they could be seen as perfectly normal and acceptable. Obviously extreme relativism has its downsides so I am still one to say that killing another human being without reason is unacceptable. However, my limits only really seem to work at the absolute extremes so in contrast, it’s usually okay to kill someone in order to protect yourself.

Easy Tips for Saving Energy

We waste a lot of energy in our daily use. Energy is consumed at an enormous rate and needs to be conserved not only to cut personal costs but also as a preemptive measure to help preserve resources for future use. It’s possible to save electricity and money without having to give up traditional comforts by making conscious choices to lower your energy use. Below are a few tips to help you lower your energy expenditure.  

1.      Save Energy At Home

-          Unplug seldom used appliances, such as your toaster or blender. Unplug any chargers for electronics that you are not currently using. Lastly use power strips to switch off TVs or radios when you are not using them.

-          Set your thermostat in winter to slightly lower degrees than normal- 68 degrees during the day and 55 degrees at night. During the summer thermostats should be increased to about 78 degrees. Make the most of sunlight, open blinds to let in heat on sunny days, but be sure to close them at night to minimize any heat loss.

-          Don’t forget to turn off the lights. Remember this in any seldom used rooms. Maximize work in sunlight as much as possible.

2.      Save Energy as You Drive

-          Whenever possible, walk, bike, carpool, or use public transportation.

-          The faster you drive, the more gasoline your car uses. Slowing down saves on gas money and also creates a safer driving experience for you and others on the road.

-          Use your air conditioner sparingly. Instead cruise around with the windows/ car top rolled down.

-          Try to avoid your engine idling for long periods of time.

-          Lastly, look for a car that gets good gas mileage.

3.      Save Energy as You Shop

-          Look for locally grown foods! Buying locally produced food has numerous energy and environmental benefits—it means less fuel burned during the transportation of the foods from production site to store, less packaging and, often times less exposure to pesticides and chemicals. (energy4me.org)

-          Buy products with minimal packaging—this means less waste will go into landfills.

-          Choose reusable products rather than disposable ones—and remember to REduce, REuse, and REcyle!

Hopefully you have learned a few helpful new tips that you can incorporate into your own daily routine.  Every little change is a step in the right direction. Let me know in the comments below which tips you already use or which ones you might start using!

Further reading:

http://energy4me.org/all-about-energy/sustainability/energy-conservation/

http://www.nrdc.org/air/energy/genergy.asp

Virtualism, Simulacra, Cultural Capital, ..and the Environment?

This week I wanted to do a reactionary post because in our discussions we focused on social contributors to environmental problems  but I had trouble articulating to myself the underlying structures that allow this set up to happen.

Radiation in Our Food

After watching this presentation at symposium about the consequences of Fukushima, I am given yet another reason to worry about the food that I am putting in my body. Cindy Folkers, a specialist in radiation and health, outlines the dangers of the radiation from Fukushima (and radiation in general) as well as current shortcomings in monitoring and what she and Beyond Nuclear are trying to do about it.

If We Don't Talk About It, It Doesn't Exist, Right?

        So I don’t know if you guys have heard the buzz this week but Florida’s government had “banned” the use of the words ‘climate change’ in their reports and meetings. Of course this claim has been disputed by officials (Governor Rick Scott seems to be taking most of the heat for it) but whether or not there was any official decree, there is definitely something happening here.
                                                                       

        

Everything You Wanted to Know about the Keystone Pipeline--and more!

The Keystone Pipeline is an oil pipeline system in Canada and the United States. The pipeline system runs from the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin in Alberta, Canada to oil refineries in Illinois and Texas and also to oil tank farms and oil pipeline distribution center in Oklahoma.

Stories, Threads in Tohoku and Fukushima

Thinking about stories this week, I've already read quite a few recollections either through news stories or books about how people viewed the disaster and the days following. This week I decided to watch some documentaries as well because much like the Haiti earthquake, Hurricane Katrina, the war in Iraq, etc.

Futures for Amazonia and Turkey - A response to Damocracy

Damocracy

Creating scenarios for these people is difficult for me because I have only the information presented in the documentary and what a google search can provide. Without having done any fieldwork or in depth research I automatically feel out of water about making predictions about something that I know next to nothing about.

To Renew or Not To Renew

This week I wanted to shed some light on the different forms of energy sources the government utilizes that are then converted into electricity—a driving force of our country. There are three main types of energy sources: nuclear energy, fossil energy (fossil fuels) and renewable energy.

Damology~ Mega-dams and Their Impact on the Environment

Dams are implemented along rivers and tributaries frequently without much controversy and backlash. However, when a government chooses to execute a large dam across a culturally and naturally important waterway without taking into account the repercussions, these projects become extremely controversial.

Technocra-wait what?

This week, as the blinding white reflections from the snow bring wholesome, natural light into my apartment, I delved deeper into Fischer and ideas about the relationship(s) between average citizens, experts, the government, democracy, and eventually the environment. What I heard while reading these chapters were echos of ideas from Neil Postman’s Technopoly

Being a Pessimist in the Anthropocene.

                Over the last week, the idea of being an optimist or pessimist about the Anthropocene was a big debate that continued in my mind for many days after being introduced. After reading “The Anthropocene: Are Humans Now Overwhelming the Great Forces of Nature?”  We discussed in class what three choices would most likely happen to the world: business-as-usual, mitigation, or geo-engineering options. 

The End is Inevitable

When thinking about the Anthropocene, it is impossible to consider without mentioning humans—the Anthropos of the Anthropocene if you will. Our short time on Earth has had a huge, albeit largely negative impact on the environment that could possibly have unforeseen repercussions for the next millennia.

3/11 Citizens/Government

So I was leaping along— leap... leap... leap...when during my duties as a librarian I auspiciously (or do I mean suspiciously? Probably a combination of both) stumbled across this book: Citizens, Experts, and the Environment: The Politics of Local Knowledge.

Individual/Humanity

I originally started writing this blog post before we did the final reading for this week in which I railed against of the problems that I had as a social scientist with the articles we had been reading about the anthropocene. While many of them were addressed, we didn’t come to any clear conclusions.

Should We Be A FrackNation?

In my last blog post, “To Frack or Not to Frack, That is the Question” I said that I know my views were a little one-sided about fracking and the consequences of it.  So naturally, the thing I did next was to watch a documentary in response to “Gasland.”  This one was called “FrackNation” (also available on Netflix, and Amazon Prime Instant Video) and it explores the other side of fracking story. 

3/11 - Some of the politics of nuclear power, Japan

In trying to understand the situation in Japan I have started reading Natural Disaster and Nuclear Crisis in Japan edited by Jeff Kingston. It is a compilation of essays published in 2012 in a quick response to the disaster at Fukushima. On March 3, 2011 a 9.0 Mw earthquake hit Japan off of the northeast coast near the Iwate prefecture.