Letters to the Editor
shackindawoods
Published Letters: 87 Editor's Choice: 9
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A "bioneer" is not a mere believer
[Read the article: A bigger, better footprint for humanity]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Although I agree with most of your article in that we need to think beyond mere sustainability, what is striking about your comment below is that it perfectly illustrates the nature of humans to confuse or substitute inspiration for action.
"Nor, at this point in 2006, are goals of designing products and factories so that there is no waste, everything is biodegradable, and energy consumption is minimized, particularly mind-blowing. What really carries the day are McDonough's intelligence, humor, and predilection for framing the whole question of our species' role on earth in terms that inspire, rather than depress."
Millions of devout believers regularly attend religious services in the pursuit of the mere feel-good experience of listening to inspiring words, which tend to make the listener feel like he or she is actually living the example, when no actions are forthcoming.
Furthermore, I don't think we are anywhere CLOSE "at this point in 2006" to where ideas of "no waste, everything is biodegradable. . ." accepted as guiding principles, except in the minds of a tiny minority.
It is EXACTLY "the goals of designing products and factories. . ." that ought to be what inspires us now and continuously. These are NOT boring ideas with an expiration date. Shall we now merely believe in a set of principles and seek the feel-good self-satisfaction of hearing those principles preached well? Those that do will be leaving the real work to those pioneers ("bioneers") who change their lives to test and develop those new ideas and principles in order to lead the rest of us to the new day. A "bioneer" is not one who simply believes.
Bill
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We LIKE to think "everyone" wants to come here
[Read the article: American dreamers]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I hate to burst bubbles, but not everyone wants to come here. That is a myth that we like to tell ourselves. For some odd reason, maybe it's our isolation, maybe it's our Christian god that's better than anyone else's god, we think the rest of the world is still in the dark ages and America is the shining beacon for the world. Many of you reading this are saying, Well it IS. . . ISN'T IT? Sheesh. You need to get out more--I mean travel out of the country. People in other lands love their homes and culture, and in most places are far more generous and hospitable, ie., civilized, than we here in the US imagine ourselves being. True, there will always be the more adventurous, desparate, or highly capitalized wealth-seekers who will be attracted to this society. But don't believe the whole world is "clamoring to get in." This leads to skewed concepts of reality that Americans have, such as the "we're the greatest and your culture is inferior," which is at the root of many of our conflicts with other nations and cultures.
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I agree with "Appalling," mostly
[Read the article: The breast of times]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]First, I think it is absolutely acceptable to breastfeed where ever and when ever the need arises--as long as the child is under a year old. Then on it is a matter of much greater disgression.
But I have to agree that there IS something sick about a mother wanting her child to "remember" the experience, particularly if the child is male. I had a stepson whose mother would ocassionally remark that he suckled after 4, and as a teen was clearly ashamed and did not wish to be reminded.
The letter writer says:
"The fact that some of these women actually want their children to remember this is quite disturbing, because they are essentially admitting they want to keep their children dependent on them. In today's society it seems that parents throw their entire lives into their children, then hamper their emotional growth because they fear that someday they will grow up and not need them."
That describes EXACTLY the parenting style of the woman I mentioned above, whom I was married for seven years. Her two sons are now young men in their mid-20s, who live at home, STILL have no social life or real job, and dependent upon their mother who happily cooks and does their laundry. I've always thought there was something sick going on, but the previous letter writer was the first Ive heard acknowledge it.