How big is your footprint on the Earth?

[jgk3]

Re: How big is your footprint on the Earth?

actually, in nomadic bands (max pop. 100), there is a less substancial need for money, as they focus on sharing their resources, and maintaining a general reciprocity amongst eachother.

I'm not saying we should divide into nomadic bands, but I think we can find some balance if we start practicing such traditions where we can. If we start sharing, we will also open our eyes and see more than the material world. We'll also see nature as an important part of our society, and work to sustain it's health as well.

Just keep in mind that these traditions don't need to be formal laws, just traditions, beneficial ones. So no, we don't need to be socialists to protect the ecosystem. We just need to change our attitudes a bit.

[Anonymouse]

Re: How big is your footprint on the Earth?

actually, in nomadic bands (max pop. 100), there is a less substancial need for money, as they focus on sharing their resources, and maintaining a general reciprocity amongst eachother.

I'm not saying we should divide into nomadic bands, but I think we can find some balance if we start practicing such traditions where we can. If we start sharing, we will also open our eyes and see more than the material world. We'll also see nature as an important part of our society, and work to sustain it's health as well.

Just keep in mind that these traditions don't need to be formal laws, just traditions, beneficial ones. So no, we don't need to be socialists to protect the ecosystem. We just need to change our attitudes a bit.

Yes, and that is why they live in primitive mud huts or straw huts and cannot progress beyond the era of stone age. We see them everyday on Discovery Channel. Sharing and a medium of exchange (money) are two entirely different things. Sharing only occurs in primitive communities where there is no concept of personal propoerty and the community is subject to seasonal forces, bad harvests, shortages, etc. Hence, people have to share. There is a great difference between sharing and giving.

Why is sharing somehow better than not sharing? Actually, I have a real problem with the word "sharing". I give gifts or things to peope, and people give things away, but who shares? Giving something away implies that what you are giving has ownership and is already yours by title. It also signifies someone else who you want to give this to, not just "share" it, thereby it further signifies generosity, respect and honor. Sharing implies that nothing is actually owned, and it is "all of ours", and we are somehow all "entitled" to it. Its underlying connotation suggests that there is no private property, hence what is mine is actually yours too and therefore, must be shared.

“Socialists are collectivist in their proposals. But they are Communist in their idealism. Now there is a real pleasure in sharing. We have all felt it in the case of nuts off a tree or the National Gallery, or such things. But it is not the only pleasure nor the only altruistic pleasure, nor (I think) the highest or most human of altruistic pleasures. I greatly prefer the pleasure of giving and receiving. Giving is not the same as sharing: giving is even the opposite of sharing. Sharing is based on the idea that there is no property, or at least no personal property. But giving a thing to another man is as much based on personal property as keeping it to yourself.”

~ G. K. Chesterton, “Why I Am Not a Socialist” (1908)

[jgk3]

Re: How big is your footprint on the Earth?

Ok... But I didn't say we should become like them. I'm just saying we can learn a bit from them.

Anyway, maybe that was a bad example. What if I proposed that we can act more charitably towards our societies? What if we did more volunteer work? Do you have objections to this?

[Anonymouse]

Re: How big is your footprint on the Earth?

Ok... But I didn't say we should become like them. I'm just saying we can learn a bit from them.

Anyway, maybe that was a bad example. What if I proposed that we can act more charitably towards our societies? What if we did more volunteer work? Do you have objections to this?

No, as long as it not forced.

And I just wanted to add, I don't believe in sharing, but I do believe in giving.

[jgk3]

Re: How big is your footprint on the Earth?

alright, so if we give back to our environment, then things should improve. If our attitudes changed (as long as it's not forced), then we can improve our quality of life by protecting the ecosystem.

I'll do my part. That's all that counts in the end I guess.

[Anonymouse]

Re: How big is your footprint on the Earth?

alright, so if we give back to our environment, then things should improve. If our attitudes changed (as long as it's not forced), then we can improve our quality of life by protecting the ecosystem.

I'll do my part. That's all that counts in the end I guess.

Give "what" back to the environment? What is the "environment"? Give what wear, and is the environment conscious?

[jgk3]

Re: How big is your footprint on the Earth?

Awareness towards nature I guess.

[TomServo]

Re: How big is your footprint on the Earth?

Awareness toward nature in Montreal? Okay.

[Anonymouse]

Re: How big is your footprint on the Earth?

Awareness towards nature I guess.

Awareness for what and of what? Aren't we aware already? Or do you mean the awareness that the environmental wackos would have us believe?

[jgk3]

Re: How big is your footprint on the Earth?

Well, I don't know what to say then... Aware enough to make a habit of cleaning up what you can? It doesn't have to be a cult.