Who really benefits from the dumbing down of society?? Does corporate America love dummies?? Do they buy more junk??
Whoever wants it to happen is doing a mighty fine job. In the not so distant past, a sign of status was a grand library or bookshelves full of books. Now the "must have" item has become the big flat screen TV. It has become the grand center piece of many American living rooms-- the bigger the better. Nobody seems the slightest bit embarrassed that not even the best educational programs provide any serious cognitive benefit or mental exercise the way a book does. It used to be considered low-class to even admit you had a TV in the living room, now it's the status quo.
As the adults in our society embrace easy entertainment over educational pursuits, their children are inundated with messages from music and videos glorifying only parties, gang-banging and money. Is it any surprise that "nerds" get bullied? They are seen only as weak and futile, while some rapper with a bullet wound is something to aspire to.
Even our presidential elections are screwed by nerd-phobia. Didn't most people admit that Al Gore came across as too stiff and nerdy?? While good old "Dubya" was the people's man, never held accountable for his inability to articulate simple thoughts.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Alaska Wolf Pups in Peril
A very disturbing article was recently printed in the Anchorage paper (1/19/2008). It seems that a remote Native community is advocating for its right to kill wolf pups in their dens. There is even a term for this activity- "denning". The Alaska department of Fish and Game has begun seriously considering such proposals as well.
The argument is two fold: again, folks are concerned about low moose populations. And secondly, this particular Native community is claiming that "denning" is actually an old cultural tradition.
Native I am not, so I can not factually confirm or deny the history of this activity. However, various sources report that this a stunning new claim, without much credibility.
Regardless of the historical significance, wildlife management and hunting practices have evolved and changed dramatically in recent years. The most significant change being the relative ease with which one can hunt via snowmachine (snowmobile) or ATV. This leads to more access and higher kill rates. Of course how many moose are actually killed in remote areas is often under reported. This is definitely a more serious threat to moose management than the wolves.
I do hope that the story of the wolf pups makes the national media. A ton of outrage is needed to stop this barbaric activity from returning to Alaska. The Alaska Wildlife Alliance (www.akwildlife.org) is a good contact for more info, as are letters of complaint to the Governor of Alaska (www.state.ak.us)
The argument is two fold: again, folks are concerned about low moose populations. And secondly, this particular Native community is claiming that "denning" is actually an old cultural tradition.
Native I am not, so I can not factually confirm or deny the history of this activity. However, various sources report that this a stunning new claim, without much credibility.
Regardless of the historical significance, wildlife management and hunting practices have evolved and changed dramatically in recent years. The most significant change being the relative ease with which one can hunt via snowmachine (snowmobile) or ATV. This leads to more access and higher kill rates. Of course how many moose are actually killed in remote areas is often under reported. This is definitely a more serious threat to moose management than the wolves.
I do hope that the story of the wolf pups makes the national media. A ton of outrage is needed to stop this barbaric activity from returning to Alaska. The Alaska Wildlife Alliance (www.akwildlife.org) is a good contact for more info, as are letters of complaint to the Governor of Alaska (www.state.ak.us)
Friday, January 18, 2008
Buy, Buy, Buy....
So they say we'll save the economy if we just get off our butts and buy some more crap. Of course in a perfect world that is a beautiful concept--I go to Smith's General Store, buy some of Farmer Bob's wheat and Mary's ribbon candy, and we all win right? I have my goods, and they make some money.
Too bad the General store and farmer Bob's fields were all plowed over to plop the mega Wal-Mart down. And our Wal-Mart dollars go where--to China?? That's good for the Chinese economy of course. It may also support the truly American concept that your status is defined by the square footage of your house. Because you certainly need all those square feet to stuff reams of plastic kiddie toys, multi colored sweater sets, and flimsy furniture.
The biggest loser in the economic pyramid scheme is actually the environment. All these items we are encouraged to buy are made in Third World countries fueled by coal powered energy. Not to mention the lax environmental laws (like in China) that do not discourage dumping chemical waste or who knows what got logged to make that $29.99 end table... Then on top of it all, your giant McMansion needs to be continuously cooled & heated to protect all that fantastic stuff you've acquired.
At what point will the president simply say: " my administration has invested in national storage units. It is each American's responsibility to fill it up with Payless shoes, Little Tykes bikes, salad spinners, lazy boy chairs and big screen TV's. Thank you and good night. "
Too bad the General store and farmer Bob's fields were all plowed over to plop the mega Wal-Mart down. And our Wal-Mart dollars go where--to China?? That's good for the Chinese economy of course. It may also support the truly American concept that your status is defined by the square footage of your house. Because you certainly need all those square feet to stuff reams of plastic kiddie toys, multi colored sweater sets, and flimsy furniture.
The biggest loser in the economic pyramid scheme is actually the environment. All these items we are encouraged to buy are made in Third World countries fueled by coal powered energy. Not to mention the lax environmental laws (like in China) that do not discourage dumping chemical waste or who knows what got logged to make that $29.99 end table... Then on top of it all, your giant McMansion needs to be continuously cooled & heated to protect all that fantastic stuff you've acquired.
At what point will the president simply say: " my administration has invested in national storage units. It is each American's responsibility to fill it up with Payless shoes, Little Tykes bikes, salad spinners, lazy boy chairs and big screen TV's. Thank you and good night. "
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Again With Those Lightbulbs
I really can't get over the push for compact fluorescent light bulbs. As someone who cares about Global Warming I should applaud these sickly, dim inventions. But I can't and I won't. First off, the Libertarian in me can't believe a law can be passed banning incandescent bulbs in 2012. Secondly, this isn't even a good ban--for the alternates are actually slightly dangerous. Halogen lights are ok, but fire hazards. And those compact fluorescents contain mercury, not to mention their visual ghastliness.
I still can't believe the logic that somehow the happy, warm lightbulb is to blame for brutal storms, floods and famine. How did coal-fired power plants get off the hook so easily?? Isn't every freakin sweater or toy purchased in this country made in a Chinese factory powered by coal????? And what about our obsession with three car garages and heating McMansions?? But of course we don't really want to disrupt the economy, just annoy consumers with weird lightbulbs until they start lashing out at those darn greenies....
I still can't believe the logic that somehow the happy, warm lightbulb is to blame for brutal storms, floods and famine. How did coal-fired power plants get off the hook so easily?? Isn't every freakin sweater or toy purchased in this country made in a Chinese factory powered by coal????? And what about our obsession with three car garages and heating McMansions?? But of course we don't really want to disrupt the economy, just annoy consumers with weird lightbulbs until they start lashing out at those darn greenies....
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Of Monkeys and Polar Bears
What do the monkeys in India and the Alaskan Polar bear have in common? More than you might think. They are both well-loved animals looking for a new place to live.
Recently an Alaskan Polar Bear wondered into a Native Village looking for food. There is no debate that this happened simply because the Bear is quickly losing its habitat--the polar sea ice. It needs to look for food on land now, and obviously the Village dumpsters are a good choice.
The monkeys in India have a similar dilemma. As the Indian economy grows, the human population can afford to build houses in former wilderness habitat. With the sprawl, the monkeys lose their natural home. So the logical course of events has been for them to become city-dwelling monkeys. Living among and harassing their new human neighbors.
Unfortunately for the Alaskan polar bear, he was shot and killed, simply because he came too close. The Indian monkeys are painstakingly relocated, to ever dwindling habitats, only to return to their city families.
It seems to me that people have a hard time understanding these connections. As we continue to cheer our economic development, we keep ignoring its byproducts. Be it the loss of sea ice due to warming or the loss of forests for our animals as we expand our homes. It is simply impossible to sustain suburban lifestyles for every inhabitant on earth. The animals need to go somewhere. Some folks may like a world filled only with shopping malls, but that world is not for me.
Recently an Alaskan Polar Bear wondered into a Native Village looking for food. There is no debate that this happened simply because the Bear is quickly losing its habitat--the polar sea ice. It needs to look for food on land now, and obviously the Village dumpsters are a good choice.
The monkeys in India have a similar dilemma. As the Indian economy grows, the human population can afford to build houses in former wilderness habitat. With the sprawl, the monkeys lose their natural home. So the logical course of events has been for them to become city-dwelling monkeys. Living among and harassing their new human neighbors.
Unfortunately for the Alaskan polar bear, he was shot and killed, simply because he came too close. The Indian monkeys are painstakingly relocated, to ever dwindling habitats, only to return to their city families.
It seems to me that people have a hard time understanding these connections. As we continue to cheer our economic development, we keep ignoring its byproducts. Be it the loss of sea ice due to warming or the loss of forests for our animals as we expand our homes. It is simply impossible to sustain suburban lifestyles for every inhabitant on earth. The animals need to go somewhere. Some folks may like a world filled only with shopping malls, but that world is not for me.
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