March 21, 2009
What Would It Look Like?
What if the world embodied its highest potential? What would it look like? As the structures of modern society crumble, this video contemplates a set of unexamined assumptions that form the very basis of our civilization. In this beautifully shot 25-minute retrospective, it asks us to reflect on the state of the world and ourselves--and to listen more closely to what is being asked of us at this time of unprecedented global transformation.
Via KarmaTube:
Via KarmaTube:
What a fay bunch of people! What is the population limit for the Earth? How much of the flora and fauna do we want to preserve? Would these people be prepared to limit growth to replacement levels at some stage in the next 100 years or would it make em look too harsh and unloving?
The question of population limit is a very debatable question. Assuming there are no improvements in the way we conduct our business, then I doubt the earth could support more than 1 billion people. In order for there to be this many people, radical changes towards green technologies on ALL levels, such that we have a perfectly benign, regenerative economy, that does not require any future extraction, while simultaneously repairing/remediating vast areas of the planet harmed by 20th century industrialization could work to support several billion people. Clearly if such a transition is to happen, the vision of equitable and peaceful solutions these people offer in the video are the best way to get us there. Therefore I do not understand your beef with these people. Please read my other posts such as "Healing the Planet" or "Space Migration or Human Extinction" for more in depth thoughts.
The Transformation they talk about cannot possibly happen quickly, it will have to be more of an evolutionary shift. There are so many fear-based groups (religious, political, etc) that there may always be core groups on the fringes even if the vast majority of the world awakens to a more inclusive global culture. As with any movement, there has to be a certain amount of enlightened self-interest required to change large numbers of people and afterward validation that the change was worth the sacrifice. The hardest thing to eliminate will be ethnic and religious hatred. Prosperity comes and goes but it seems that hatred of our fellow man survives forever. Especially since many of the deeply entrenched power structures rely on it.
I appreciate the message in this video. Many of us feel a hint of the optimism when guys like Mandella and Obama come along. But the reality is very complex as Obama is finding out. I would have appreciated some concrete suggestions at the end.