Update

...I'd like to apologize about not updating as much as I'd like. I had a bit of technical trouble since my last post, since my laptop is ancient history in computer time. Also, I had midterms in my non-elective courses, so I really wanted to focus on those. Now I find I have quite a backlog...

Nonetheless, I'm glad the seminar my small group was heading appeared to be a success(?). Naturally, I feel Plentitude is a facinating concept. However, there were a couple of points brought up that I wanted to expand upon and debate further, but we didn't have the time. So I'll just write them up here:

1) There's nothing wrong with selling the crafts/furniture/food/other fruits of your labour you make for money. That's how people used to live, even! Plus, large scale production isn't completely incompatible with small scale production. The fact that both spheres need to exist together was the point of Juliet Schor's Plentitude video. She was suggesting that in society, people would still work for companies, but they would work less. With the extra time they would be able to make goods so they can provide for themselves. If they get really good at it, they can make goods and provide services for others for money. It's just that:

-Large Scale production needs to shrink

-Small scale production needs to grow

And of course you have to consume a little in order to produce your own goods. Big corporations will still try to make money concerning a new d.i.y. paradigm, but the damage we'll be doing to the environment will be much less. Going back to a completely corporate free, "pure" existence AND immersing yourself completely in a consumerist, materialistic society are both completely ridiculous for Western society as of right now. Even if Monsato is pure evil. Or not. Maybe we can grow vegetables some other way...

If you haven't lost faith in humanity yet, Monsato will do that for you.

2) People only do d.i.y. stuff because it's popular? Because it gives one a trendy image? That... really simplifies people and their reasons for doing the things they do. It's not because people want to make a statement about themselves. It's because people can't afford consumer goods! Or at least all the goods they'd like. Attempts to resuscitate the economy have pretty much failed and so many aren't sufficiently employed or employed at all. It's because it's practical. It's because it's cheaper. It's also because people are tired of being yanked around by companies and their brands.

Commercialism is powerful, but not powerful enough to dictate everything we think and do. Sooner or later, reality sets in and we don't do the things the government and the big corporations want as to do because we either start to see through them or we just plain can't. A lot of big corporations forget that ultimately it`s the consumers who get to decide what becomes of a company...and a lot of consumers too. When things get rough, for the corporations that think that we'll buy anything they churn out can under-preform, take heavy losses or get wiped out.

We'll have to undo the programming we've been subjected to since we were little, but the potential for great change starts with us and our lives. The Tim Kasser video essentially came to this conclusion, a little sad we didn't get to present it... 

3) I was a little disappointed that we didn't get much participation when asking the group to consider what skill or trade they would pick up if they were to live according to Pletitude. There's so much you can do! You can generate electricity for the power grid, you can grow your own fruits and vegetables, you can grow your own mushrooms, you can brew your own alcohol, you can raise chickens, keep bees, design and make your own clothes, you can bike to get around, you can organize sharing programs...there's even computer programs and machinery that can help you make practically anything! Maybe it was a bit much to ask ; to pry into other people's plans for the future, but I don't know. I think about this kind of stuff all the time. I'm all for producing things in an environmentally friendly manner. And I have a lot of hobbies in crafting, even though my schedule leaves me having problems pursuing them all. But finishing something, whether it's a painting, a meal or piece of jewelry, is really fulfilling!

I know my youngest sister would love to own a chicken!

4) It was mentioned that stores that specialize in crafting can be pretty expensive, like Micheals. That's true...but you don't have to go to Micheals only for your supplies. The trick is determining what you really need as opposed to what you think you need in order to live up to an image, as it is when dealing with any store that deals merchandise. If one's creative, you can make extraordinary things out of ordinary ones. Even on etsy, people make jewelry out of things like paper clips and clock gears. In my hometown, there's a summer festival every year. One of my favourite vendors deals in jewelry she makes herself out of semi-precious stones she finds in her travels, rather than buying them from stores.

Mad bling! 

Gotye-Eyes Wide Open

Man, I couldn't help thinking that "wow, those are sure a lot of defeated people", in yesterday's seminar. Environmental issues are, well, pretty huge. But thinking that you can't anything about it makes it even worse. Maybe it's a negative reaction to being guilt-tripped and scared to death by people wanting to campaign for change. But instead of rousing others to do something it makes them apathetic, desensitized or too scared to do anything. Looks like guilting and scaring is not a good strategy for managing behaviour, even for a good cause or to encourage good habits.

Anyway, I'd like to present a song I was reminded of as I sat in seminar today. This is Gotye's "With Eyes Wide Open". I feel this song pretty much describes the problem about environmental issues and it's affect on the public and criticizes defeatist and head-in-the-sand behavior considering these issues. With the lyrics, Gotye paints an image of a desolated Earth that could result if we don't change our behaviour. I just find that he's so accurate about what the issues are, that I started paying attention to the lyrics and letting the message of the song affect me. Now, "Sombody That I Used to Know" just can't get out of my head too, but I actually think that this is the much better song. I have no idea why it isn't as popular.

Maybe it hits too close to home? (I'm thinking...yeah, probably)

Lyrics are so great, imma present them right here:


So this is the end of the story
Everything we had, everything we did
Is buried in dust
And this dust is all that's left of us
And only a few ever worried

While the signs will clear
They have no idea
You just get used to living in fear
Or give up
When you can't even picture your future

We walk the plank with our eyes wide open

We walk the plank with our eyes wide open we
(walk the plank with our eyes wide open)
Yeah we walk the plank with our eyes wide open we
(walk the plank with our eyes wide open we)

Some people offered up answers
We made out like we heard
They were only words
They didn't add up
To a change in the way we were living
And the saddest thing
Is all of it could have been avoided

But it was like to stop consuming's
to stop being human
And why'd I make a change if you won't?
We're all in the same boat
Staying afloat for the moment

We walk the plank with our eyes wide open we
(walk the plank with our eyes wide open we)
And we walk the plank with our eyes wide open we
(walk the plank with our eyes wide open we) (x2)

With our eyes wide open we
We walk the plank, we walk the plank (x3)

With our eyes wide open we...
So that is the end of the story


From: http://www.lyricsmania.com/eyes_wide_open_lyrics_gotye.html

U Really Got a Hold on Me

In lecture in Week 4, the professor presented the Katy Perry Sesame Street Video as an example of how Sesame Street's influence goes beyond teaching essentials into teaching popular culture as well. I can actually remember Sesame Street doing this when I was a kid. A short of this type was actually one of my favourites when I was little. In it, they got Smoky Robinson to sing a parody of his 1962 hit "You Really Got a Hold on Me".

 I really love this song. In a moment, you'll probably see why. So, whenever I come across a Sesame Street skit of this type, I just thought of how it was kind of cute (Kidnapping of Classic Singers notwithstanding) that they do parody songs like this. I remember thinking when I was very young that if they showed up on Sesame Street, that meant they were culturally relevant and that it was a nice thing to be on the show. I don't think very much of Katy Perry though, so seeing the Elmo skit as an adult, I'm just left thinking "Why her?" But it is pretty cute and she seems to be having a lot of fun, though. I'm just a little disappointed with...I guess...the integrity(?) of an organization that's supposed to present pure-intentioned  content to kids.

I take it back, I can never stay mad at muppets.

Evidence of love for this classic song after the jump.

Witch vs Facebook

In lecture last-last week, we talked about in lecture and seminar that due to new technology, the old ways of building relationships and getting to know people in person have fallen by the wayside.  One of the readings for that week, Robert Putnam's Bowling Alone, also dealt with this concept. This causes problems when personal relationships come in handy, such as when looking for a new job or when in a crisis.

But it is human nature to be social. And technology as a whole doesn't change that more or less, or make relationships meaningless. It really depends on how the individual uses that technology. And perhaps, the real case is that the institutions in place are getting left behind considering the new ways we communicate?

Anyway, last week I happened on this cute little comic that I thought was related. Originally from tumblr user kilogramrose.

Continued after the jump.

Can YOU paint with all the colours of the wind?

Speaking of vexing nature and all that, here's a video where you can witness one of my favourite Disney Acid Sequences. Also, seeing the video on the technique for harvesting bark without harming the tree in lecture reminded me of this.

Pocahontas(1995): Can you Paint with all the Colors of the Wind?

The songs in the movie are pretty much the reason why I still love Pocahontas, historical inaccuracy and not withstanding. And Wiggins.

He just looks so proud about it!

Lyrics under the jump.

Berman-The Re-enchantment of the World

I had a couple of problems with this reading. I feel the arguments were presented too vaguely due to the imprecise language. The views expressed are kinda naïve and idealistic about the past, too. Naturally I am suspicious and questioning about it.

Number 1:

"Vex nature, disturb it, alter it, anything-but do not leave it alone. Then, and only then, will you know it. ...to know nature, treat it mechanically; but then your mind must behave mechanically as well." (17-18)

Vex..that's a pretty loaded word, don't you think?. Virtually all elements exist in the world in an impure state. Anyone who's ever done science experiment knows you have to keep your samples free of impurities, or else you won't be able to witness any of the element's qualities with any certainty. No isolation from affecting variables, no consistent results.

You can't expect us to work with alchemy... 

A mystified world is full of wonder, but it's full of fear, too. And having scientific knowledge about the world doesn't mean you lose awe of it or stop respecting it. Science can be enchanted, too. Isn't it better to be in awe of a world you understand better versus having awe in a world you don't?

Plus, people have been looking for and spreading the idea of using rational explanations for the universe since ancient Greece. Natural philosophy became prevalent way before the Industrial Revolution. It's where we get the classical elements of Earth, Fire, Air, Water (and Quintessence) and the four fluids, blood, phlegm, choler and black bile.

Also, a scientific world view isn't always what causes a society to run it's natural resources into the ground. People can be just as short sighted (or greedy, selfish, what have you) without it. Just take a look at Easter Island. The island underwent almost complete deforestation and extinction of indigenous wildlife because they raised up so many statues. (Wood for system for raising statues led to less wood for canoes which led to relying more on animals on the island instead of being able to hunt and fish on the ocean.) People have been exhausting the land even when they've had no exposure to scientific method.

This kills the man. (You'll never see these cute statues the same way again.)

Aaaaaand number 2:

"The view of nature which predominated in the West down to the eve of the Scientific Revolution was that of an enchanted world. Rocks, trees, rivers and clouds were all seen as wondrous, alive and human beings felt at home in this environment. The cosmos, in short, was a place of belonging."(16)

Er...not really? There are so many different religions and ways of thinking throughout the world; and I feel this statement is too vague to accept with certainty. While there are a few major religions that have humanity as part of a natural cycle and there being all sorts of spirits in nature, (eg. Buddhism, Shinto, Hinduism, Native American faiths) there are some faiths both dead and alive that portray humans as being at the mercy of supernatural or divine forces rather than belonging to the cosmos, per say. (eg. some sects of Christianity and other Abrahamic religions) Sometimes, worship was pretty much bribery. (Greek/Roman polytheism, for instance.) I really don't think belonging to the Earth in one faith means the same thing in another.

Since we're talking about the West, take a look at Christianity:

"Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, and let them rule
over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the
earth and over all the creatures that move along the ground." (Genesis 1:26)

Even in the very beginning of the Bible, humanity is given dominion over the world. No doubt others have used this quote as an excuse to abuse and over-extend natural resources just as much some use it to give themselves a sense of responsibility for the Earth.

Also, people have been complaining about humanity loosing their special connection with the Earth is older than print. During the Mycenaean Age, after the Trojan War, ancient Greeks complained that modern people weren't communicating with the gods and weren't connected to them anymore. Even if it was only three generations into the past, the "Heroic Age" was seen as a better, fantastical time. (Pomeroy et al, 72-73) Mycenaean Age was a time of turmoil; it looks like bad economic and social circumstances lead to a yearning to better days, whether they existed or not.

Diomendes (mortal hero) and Athena (Greek goddess of wisdom) vs Ares (Greek god of war)

Anyway, glad to have this out of my system. Maybe I can move forward now.

Resources after the jump.