Out of time?

[Explorer]

But as druids, I would think it isn't so much what we believe in the scientific data or which side of the political debates we support, but rather what we know in our hearts is the right thing to do...live simpler lives, consume less, reduce our footprint, be more self-sufficient, help our neighbours, protect our local environment....whatever the ultimate outcome, at least we can live honourably now.

I agree, I also do those things, and have a longing to do more of it. But not because of global warming, depleting resources. And not because I am a druid.
But because that way I feel I am more connected to nature. And that feels better, safer, more rewarding and indeed more honourable.
The difference is in the scope, I think 'local' instead of 'global'.

I may change my mind after this weekend, there is a heatwave coming, and I don't have airco.

[envisager]

I understand where you're coming from, but shouldn't we also be using some of our lives and resources to consider how our actions might help the next generation?

Metals depletion is a real thing: Though I agree they don't actually deplete. An example is the silver plated dish: every time you clean it, a small amount of silver comes off the cloth and is thrown away (it's now part of a general rubbish dump and is in such small concentrations that it is unrecoverable).. so a small amount of silver has gone from concentrated (in a mine.. perhaps one part on 1000) to un-concentrated (perhaps one part in a billion).

Silver's an easy example: There are other metals, particularly the unusual ones, which end up being used in very small quantities in modern electronics: Every time someone throws electronics into a general dump, those metals are effectively lost.

So perhaps we should be considering what we do and how we're doing it? Part of the problem is that there is too much information out there and a lot of it conflicting.

[treegod]

I understand where you're coming from, but shouldn't we also be using some of our lives and resources to consider how our actions might help the next generation?

Absolutely. They're the ones left with the rubbish (I consider myself, in a way, with that "heritage"). It would be downright cruel of us not to do something for them.

So perhaps we should be considering what we do and how we're doing it? Part of the problem is that there is too much information out there and a lot of it conflicting.

[rant]Well then, b****r the conflicting information. We've had a lot of time to consider things (decades), a lot of time to doubt and weigh things up. I think what's needed now is effective action. Don't ask me what's "effective" or not, you can trust time to reveal that one.

As for "us" considering things, or "us" doing things, no chance. That's part of the problem, this Blancmange Mass. Individuals, pioneers, free of the whims of the Mass, seeking their own way, and collaborating with other individuals where they may, and making things happen, that's what is needed.

Give the Mass a strong leader in order to do something, or at least not to make more of a mess of the Mass. Will a leader show up? And if they do, what sort of leader will they be? But I don't trust that option either. Best do my own thing, despite the Mass.[/rant]

So how about new question? Not "what should we do?" but "What am I doing?" and "what can I do?" Which might actually throw up some results.

[Explorer]

I understand where you're coming from, but shouldn't we also be using some of our lives and resources to consider how our actions might help the next generation?

To be honest, I think we should try to drastically diminish the next generations.. of humans at least. I think overpopulation is the root cause of all these problems. We should stop breeding so much. And perhaps not devote so many resources in prolonging our lives, healing the terminally ill, and breed more and more people.

Silver's an easy example: There are other metals, particularly the unusual ones, which end up being used in very small quantities in modern electronics: Every time someone throws electronics into a general dump, those metals are effectively lost.

That's exactly what 'urban mining' is I believe. Extracting those precious metals from scrap electronics. And the guys explaining it said that it was even less expensive than digging it up at one side of the earth, processing it, and transporting it to the other side of the world.
It is not going to work for organic materials ofcourse, like oil, gas and coal. When that is burned up there is only water and carbondioxide left.

So perhaps we should be considering what we do and how we're doing it? Part of the problem is that there is too much information out there and a lot of it conflicting.

I agree.

[treegod]

To be honest, I think we should try to drastically diminish the next generations.. of humans at least. I think overpopulation is the root cause of all these problems. We should stop breeding so much. And perhaps not devote so many resources in prolonging our lives, healing the terminally ill, and breed more and more people.

Done. There's a lot of population to diminish, and whatever way you look at it it will diminish.

And again there's that infernal "we should" which basically does nothing (guilty of saying the same thing, I am). And don't get me started on try. (I laugh so as not to cry, lol)

[Explorer]

And again there's that infernal "we should" which basically does nothing (guilty of saying the same thing, I am). And don't get me started on try. (I laugh so as not to cry, lol)

Heh, I tried, and succeeded, I have no kids.

[Dysgwr]

A bit flippant but this guys humour always puts a smile on my face and who knows there maybe words of wisdom in here: Billy Connolly on Canibalism

<caveat>Not intended to upset anyone. Over population/Lack of resources is a very serious matter and I also try to do my bit. Maybe sharing our ideas could help each of us to advance just a little more</caveat>

[Aoife]

One more reason for me to become a hermit, live in the woods, and keep a bunch of animal friends that protect my land as I cultivate it.

[Til]

One more reason for me to become a hermit, live in the woods, and keep a bunch of animal friends that protect my land as I cultivate it.

This. Absolutely this. Actually something I aspire to do one day. Except the hermit part (I intend to keep contact with a few people).

[Aoife]

It seems like a better and better idea every year. I would live close enough to society to get what I need (IE, epilepsy medication) but far enough away to not encounter people.