Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Some Pruning, Some Picking, Some Provocation

S ustainability is at the core of today’s most crippling and intriguing conundrums. It is
  the keystone for future environmental (and truly life-sustaining) success, and
  among the most pressing anthropological necessities. But what I want to talk
  about for a moment is societal sustainability. It is obvious that improving, 
  preserving, and investing in the environment serves a very personal and self-indulgent goal of allowing our species to continue its existence (or rein of terror) on the earth. But what happens when society cannot sustain its own structure? What will become of this blink of an eye that is the human experience, when the cornerstones of our societal order no longer stand by their grounding pillars?

To switch gears for a moment, I’d like to present a definition, in its raw form, for you all to mull over:
Fundamentalism: A usually religious movement or point of view characterized by a return to fundamental principles, by rigid adherence to those principles, and often by intolerance of other views and opposition to secularism.
Okay, now think of a group that you would deem a “fundamentalist” group. Think of the ideological notions from which they are founded; the activities that they as a group carry out. Think of the message they send out to the world and how they spread that message. Create a mental picture of fundamentalism.

Great, now consider that based on this definition, the Amish are fundamentalists. They are extremists for their theological underpinnings. They reject a majority view and oppose secularism. They pass on their views to their children and isolate themselves in homogenous diasporic communities. Push back on this all you want, the point you are making in your head against me is one of connotation, not of definition.

So why would I prompt you into such a thought exercise? The most straightforward answer is because I’m disappointed in humanity and I don't have much else to give right now. I don't have investor lobbying power or political weight or 20 years of experience "in the field" to create a conventional wave of change.

But I do have a voice, and for now, that's enough.

So what's my point here? I have words that form sentences that convey some flighty too-young-to-have-an-opinion-that-matters thought. What does that do for you?

I was struck today by a few articles that I think demonstrate some of my frustrations. The first was from the New York Times coverage of the Boston Marathon bombing investigation. The article states that federal authorities are facing what they have "long feared: angry and alienated young men, apparently self-trained and unaffiliated with any particular terrorist group" -- which suggests that federal authorities fear every male over the age of 14 and under the age of 35 who has ever felt like they didn't fit in (i.e. every person as they grow up). This neat thing called the internet, which was preordained to bring great power but also great destruction, is a fantastic resource for bomb making and homegrown hatred. You can watch videos of white supremacy calls to action and even see a step by step tutorial on how to make a nuclear weapon (pending your access to large quantities of Uranium). But this is also beside the point.

Let's zoom out for a second. What were the first photos and videos taken on after the bombing occurred? Oh right, smart phones. What makes your smart phone function? Among many other things: tantalum, tin, and tungsten. Those, of course, coming from the cheapest possible sources because of this other new fangled thing called globalization and outsourcing. So where can you find all 3 of those rare metals / alloys? If you said the Democratic Republic of Congo's sprawling war-torn communities, you'd be right.

Bear with me here: our federal government is invoking post 9/11 hatred, swell behind a "common evil," and a group-think that is supposed to make you feel like "normal" "ordinary" people just like you don't commit acts of extreme violence, while genocide (UN labeled "mass killing" because this is not a religious or particularly political killing spree) breaks out in the DRC over resources and turf so smart phones can continue to be created with planned obsolescence. Here's a news flash: anyone can commit an act of extreme violence. And in fact, it is we ordinary people who commit genocide, mass killing, and acts of violence the most. If you're confused, you should read this social psychology book by James Waller all about this topic. 

Which brings me to one final piece--Everyone thinks they are the exception to the rule. And not to sound too  "you are not a unique and beautiful snowflake" about it, but a majority of people choose to believe that given difficult circumstances, they would somehow rise above or defeat whatever obstacle they are presented with. Think about how you would react if you were suddenly in a hostage situation. If you're anything like me, you're playing the "what if" game right now--playing out how you would cut ropes using exposed nails or leave clues for the people who are trying to rescue you. You want to believe that you would fight and win because failure and death continue to be such stark societal taboos.

Let me climb onto my soapbox for a moment. Our peers, our fellow American citizens, people born and raised in this country are being alienated because of the way they look, the higher power they pray to, or the clothing they choose to wear for their beliefs--and you mean to tell me that YOU, a "normal", unique snowflake, who could never commit an act of hate or violence because you're too ordinary or too caring or squeamish or strong willed. NO, instead of setting off a bomb, you're letting your operation take on a grassroots approach. You're reading media about "fundamentalists" and the blanket statements about all those "extremists" who spread hate, while you look down upon anyone outside your realm of spiritual or cultural understanding as if this country is not also theirs. You are silent, 12 years after the 9/11 attacks shook our government's understanding of guerilla warfare and hate infected a country founded upon the theory and strength of a melting pot.

I can spout problems all I'd like and carry on about how believing in the environment is the only honest goal I can fathom, but to what avail? Is there a solution in this overwhelming madness? Is there such a thing as societal sustainability? 

What I really want is for the world to prove me wrong. I want people to read and listen and absorb with a grain of salt. I want words that aren't spoken to carry meaning. I want religious identity to be only a tiny piece of how we perceive one another. I want humans to be humane. 

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