I'm going to echo many of the other comments here in thanking you for this post, Jason. I agree with Leah that keeping writing about these issues is so important; even if it might feel like writing into the abyss, there can be a ripple effect as words find new places to land.
I love Robert MacFarlane's work, too, and I always find glimmers of hope and inspiration through engaging with his writing. I really like how his latest book, Is a River Alive?, puts pressure on a question that many of us would do well to consider in depth (while acknowledging that some already have an answer to this). Thank you for the questions you raise in your writing. I'm off to explore Barry Lopez's oeuvre now.
Jason, I found such inspiration from your notes on Jonas Salk, that..I hope you don't mind, I quoted you and him, in my most recent article on Mending the World. Thanks, I needed the encouragement it gave me.
As a young parent I often think of what the world might be for my child in later years. Never thought from an ancestral framework though.. going to ponder on this one. Thank you for this Jason.
It does open up an entirely new perspective on what it means to live, I think, and provides framework for so much of what ails us. But for me as for most of us, it can be hard to keep in mind, since we're so busy in this moment. Thanks, Ankita.
I made a quick visit to the website of that---definitely very bizarre---plan you mentioned to profit off of solar energy. If I'm understanding this correctly, they plan to use mirrors on satellites to catch solar energy that would otherwise bypass Earth. They seem quite confident that they can direct it to very precise locations, but it's hard to believe that none of it would reach the surface of the Earth and be re-radiated back into the atmosphere as heat, furthering global heating. Not to mention that this is the kind of technology that the global billionaire class would salivate over: securing an ongoing supply of energy for themselves in their bunkers, while the world outside collapses.
Exactly, Erica. They sell it as beneficial to emergency situations, 24-hr light for solar energy, and urban safety lighting. But on the energy side, it's just another way to commodify centralized power generation at an extraordinary annual cost. And given the rapid growth in cheaper grid-scale batteries to store daytime solar energy, it seems completely unnecessary. Also, depending on brightness, I think a city or natural disaster site would need additional lighting anyway, but that's just a guess.
Depending on the scale, there could be some heat increase, as you point out, but even without that the ecological costs of large-scale constant light would be significant. I can imagine the desire of corporations, governments, or billionaires to eliminate the annoyance of nighttime leading to all sorts of bad decisions. And we simply don't need another network of satellites clogging up low earth orbit and eating away at atmospheric chemistry when they burn out.
It really feels like several layers of dumb. But I guess we can just add it to the list.
This post would be an excellent framework to begin a teaching curriculum: “The Good Ancestor” ancestry and stewardship—how our past shapes the future, how to create a legacy for our planet. Kindergarten on up. I imagine if Jonas Salk was working on the polio vaccine in this timeline, his research would most likely have been defunded.
That's a fine idea, Lor. It's both education and value system wrapped up together. When you get hired to run the world, let me know, and I'll advise... I've often thought that the Planetary Boundaries concept should be taught across the grades too; that's why I keep highlighting it here. Like the good ancestor idea, it provides an excellent big picture perspective.
I can't imagine someone getting away with giving a vaccine away for free now, at least here in the U.S.. Even aside from the vaccine skepticism, the industry seems far too profit-driven for that kind of free thinking.
Your sage words remind me of a thought I often have. How can these people who are actively destroying the planet look in the faces of their children? Any sane and considerate and compassionate person couldn't do so? They'd be too ashamed, knowing that their actions are responsible for so many horrors to the planet. But then again, I think that many of those in power are immoral and have little consideration for anyone but themselves and their bottom line. Thanks for offering a better way to think.
Thanks, David. Never underestimate the ability of the mind to rationalize or compartmentalize. And then there's such a powerful disinformation industry now that someone can pretty easily hide behind false claims and lawyerly quibbling. But still, you're right. If you're in the fossil fuel executive suite, or peddling lies for power in government, or in the ad companies selling those lies and quibbles, you know what you're doing. You've got to disassociate from either the work or the kids.
Indeed, the failure is obvious. And so we are charged to step up with dignity and live for those who come after us. Thank you for this richly woven call amid grief and chaos. So difficult. Yet inspiring.
Thanks, Leah. It's easier for me to say all this than to actually feel like I'm making a difference, but on we go. So many of the solutions are clear, it seems like at least some of them should make it onto the path we're on. The idea of dignity does feel like a bridge anyone might walk across, doesn't it? Lopez always had the right words for this disrupted life.
Perhaps whether or not we are making a difference is not ours to know. We do our best to walk our path. What else can we do? Yet I strongly suspect that your words have more impact than you know.
You've got your hands full, Brian. Lots to assess, I imagine, in that health report on our inland seas. I haven't looked into that topic for a long time. I hope you have some good news. Thanks for the uplifting comment. Good luck with the writing.
I’m here for it, Jason! Love me a good post on being a good ancestor. No better topic. Thanks for beating the drum. I’ve only skimmed but can’t wait to come back and read it again. And again — just like Roman Krznaric’s book. I love different takes on this topic.
Consider the drum well-beaten, Jono. Almost five years now. I haven't been thinking enough from the good ancestor perspective. It does provide a sturdy framework for who to be and how to act, doesn't it? Which everyone wants, so you'd think it would be more commonly discussed... And thank you for introducing me to Roman Krznaric, whom I confess I wasn't aware of, despite him writing important books on topics I highlight here. I'll have to put some of his books on my teetering unread pile.
I'm going to echo many of the other comments here in thanking you for this post, Jason. I agree with Leah that keeping writing about these issues is so important; even if it might feel like writing into the abyss, there can be a ripple effect as words find new places to land.
I love Robert MacFarlane's work, too, and I always find glimmers of hope and inspiration through engaging with his writing. I really like how his latest book, Is a River Alive?, puts pressure on a question that many of us would do well to consider in depth (while acknowledging that some already have an answer to this). Thank you for the questions you raise in your writing. I'm off to explore Barry Lopez's oeuvre now.
Jason, I found such inspiration from your notes on Jonas Salk, that..I hope you don't mind, I quoted you and him, in my most recent article on Mending the World. Thanks, I needed the encouragement it gave me.
That's wonderful, Carolyn. I don't mind at all. Thank you for spreading the good word.
As a young parent I often think of what the world might be for my child in later years. Never thought from an ancestral framework though.. going to ponder on this one. Thank you for this Jason.
It does open up an entirely new perspective on what it means to live, I think, and provides framework for so much of what ails us. But for me as for most of us, it can be hard to keep in mind, since we're so busy in this moment. Thanks, Ankita.
Awareness of web...
humility, dignity.
Good ancestors, us?
I made a quick visit to the website of that---definitely very bizarre---plan you mentioned to profit off of solar energy. If I'm understanding this correctly, they plan to use mirrors on satellites to catch solar energy that would otherwise bypass Earth. They seem quite confident that they can direct it to very precise locations, but it's hard to believe that none of it would reach the surface of the Earth and be re-radiated back into the atmosphere as heat, furthering global heating. Not to mention that this is the kind of technology that the global billionaire class would salivate over: securing an ongoing supply of energy for themselves in their bunkers, while the world outside collapses.
Exactly, Erica. They sell it as beneficial to emergency situations, 24-hr light for solar energy, and urban safety lighting. But on the energy side, it's just another way to commodify centralized power generation at an extraordinary annual cost. And given the rapid growth in cheaper grid-scale batteries to store daytime solar energy, it seems completely unnecessary. Also, depending on brightness, I think a city or natural disaster site would need additional lighting anyway, but that's just a guess.
Depending on the scale, there could be some heat increase, as you point out, but even without that the ecological costs of large-scale constant light would be significant. I can imagine the desire of corporations, governments, or billionaires to eliminate the annoyance of nighttime leading to all sorts of bad decisions. And we simply don't need another network of satellites clogging up low earth orbit and eating away at atmospheric chemistry when they burn out.
It really feels like several layers of dumb. But I guess we can just add it to the list.
This post would be an excellent framework to begin a teaching curriculum: “The Good Ancestor” ancestry and stewardship—how our past shapes the future, how to create a legacy for our planet. Kindergarten on up. I imagine if Jonas Salk was working on the polio vaccine in this timeline, his research would most likely have been defunded.
That's a fine idea, Lor. It's both education and value system wrapped up together. When you get hired to run the world, let me know, and I'll advise... I've often thought that the Planetary Boundaries concept should be taught across the grades too; that's why I keep highlighting it here. Like the good ancestor idea, it provides an excellent big picture perspective.
I can't imagine someone getting away with giving a vaccine away for free now, at least here in the U.S.. Even aside from the vaccine skepticism, the industry seems far too profit-driven for that kind of free thinking.
Your sage words remind me of a thought I often have. How can these people who are actively destroying the planet look in the faces of their children? Any sane and considerate and compassionate person couldn't do so? They'd be too ashamed, knowing that their actions are responsible for so many horrors to the planet. But then again, I think that many of those in power are immoral and have little consideration for anyone but themselves and their bottom line. Thanks for offering a better way to think.
Thanks, David. Never underestimate the ability of the mind to rationalize or compartmentalize. And then there's such a powerful disinformation industry now that someone can pretty easily hide behind false claims and lawyerly quibbling. But still, you're right. If you're in the fossil fuel executive suite, or peddling lies for power in government, or in the ad companies selling those lies and quibbles, you know what you're doing. You've got to disassociate from either the work or the kids.
Yeah, sadly true what you write.
Indeed, the failure is obvious. And so we are charged to step up with dignity and live for those who come after us. Thank you for this richly woven call amid grief and chaos. So difficult. Yet inspiring.
Thanks, Leah. It's easier for me to say all this than to actually feel like I'm making a difference, but on we go. So many of the solutions are clear, it seems like at least some of them should make it onto the path we're on. The idea of dignity does feel like a bridge anyone might walk across, doesn't it? Lopez always had the right words for this disrupted life.
Perhaps whether or not we are making a difference is not ours to know. We do our best to walk our path. What else can we do? Yet I strongly suspect that your words have more impact than you know.
That's kind of you to say, Leah. Thank you. And yes, what else can we do?
Each of us has to be a bright light of stewardship in these dark times.
Indeed, Carol. Thank you.
Thanks. Wonderfully inspiring piece to set me up for a day’s writing about, of all things, a progress report on the health of the Great Lakes.
You've got your hands full, Brian. Lots to assess, I imagine, in that health report on our inland seas. I haven't looked into that topic for a long time. I hope you have some good news. Thanks for the uplifting comment. Good luck with the writing.
Excellent piece of writing & lots more to read & explore. Thank you.
Thanks very much, Stephanie. Happy exploring...
I’m here for it, Jason! Love me a good post on being a good ancestor. No better topic. Thanks for beating the drum. I’ve only skimmed but can’t wait to come back and read it again. And again — just like Roman Krznaric’s book. I love different takes on this topic.
Consider the drum well-beaten, Jono. Almost five years now. I haven't been thinking enough from the good ancestor perspective. It does provide a sturdy framework for who to be and how to act, doesn't it? Which everyone wants, so you'd think it would be more commonly discussed... And thank you for introducing me to Roman Krznaric, whom I confess I wasn't aware of, despite him writing important books on topics I highlight here. I'll have to put some of his books on my teetering unread pile.