Very interesting article, enjoyed reading... the white table, the little poem about the weather, whether we like it or not. We don’t. But so touching anyway...
It occurs to me that the greatest Storm of this era is Humanity. Loving, kind-hearted, compassionate, well-intentioned Humanity- the greatest storm to strike this blue marble since the savage blow of the Chicxulub asteroid 76 million years ago. The asteroid was insensate and couldn't try to make amends for the damage it wrought. Perhaps we are sensate, though barely so, and can mitigate what we have done. But just as the planet rung like a bell when the ancient asteroid struck it, Earth's systems have been hugely perturbed by our impact. It is unclear if things will ever go back to normal.
Thanks, Michael. As Wallace Stegner said, “We are the most dangerous species of life on the planet, and every other species, even the earth itself, has cause to fear our power to exterminate. But we are also the only species which, when it chooses to do so, will go to great effort to save what it might destroy.” There's an incredible amount of good work being done to make amends. How much of the tide it turns, and at what pace, is the question. Either way, whatever green "normal" we reach will be a new one.
Jason, thank you for your work. I will read this again and again... until next Thursday when I will read that one again and again. You write the model for all of us who give voice to the ecosystems.🌱
PS Thanks also for lifting up the Alpha Lo interview with Erica Gies. Water Always Wins is essential reading...i may gather a book group.🌱
You're too kind, Katharine. Thank you. I'm happy to be part of the conversation. And thanks for the reminder to read Water Always Wins; I'll put it on my list.
So beautifully put together, Jason. The visual of human fingerprints on storms will stay with me. I'm excited to read the Noema article, how our senses have likely deadened over time is something I think about an awful lot.
Thank you, Chloe. Always happy to speak in metaphor. And yes, it's a hard frame to see the world, isn't it? I'm reminded of Flowers for Algernon, and the character's fading view of his previous deep awareness. But in this case recovery of some sort is always possible. That's the candle we're following, anyway. (More metaphor...)
Hi Jason. I am here by way of Katharine Beckett Winship and very glad of it. Your writing is profound and poetic which is a hard thing when faced with the hill-up for the climate. I appreciate that you mention "compassion" as it relates to people and how they view nature and handing the management back to the species "who actually know how to manage it". I think about our disconnect as a species to all that is living in nature around us. But I also believe that it is possible to heal the planet but we have to connect with it first. There will always be life's dichotomies and our differences by origin story of how each of us got here but there is nothing equivocal about our dependence on nature.
Thank you for the kind words, Margaret. Welcome to the Field Guide. Yes, so much of where we are is about who we've become culturally, increasingly disconnected but still quite capable of reimagining culture to fit within the limits. That's part of what I'm working to do here. It's good to have you along, listening and responding.
Very interesting article, enjoyed reading... the white table, the little poem about the weather, whether we like it or not. We don’t. But so touching anyway...
Loved this narrative very much.
It occurs to me that the greatest Storm of this era is Humanity. Loving, kind-hearted, compassionate, well-intentioned Humanity- the greatest storm to strike this blue marble since the savage blow of the Chicxulub asteroid 76 million years ago. The asteroid was insensate and couldn't try to make amends for the damage it wrought. Perhaps we are sensate, though barely so, and can mitigate what we have done. But just as the planet rung like a bell when the ancient asteroid struck it, Earth's systems have been hugely perturbed by our impact. It is unclear if things will ever go back to normal.
Depopulate. Rewild.
Thanks, Michael. As Wallace Stegner said, “We are the most dangerous species of life on the planet, and every other species, even the earth itself, has cause to fear our power to exterminate. But we are also the only species which, when it chooses to do so, will go to great effort to save what it might destroy.” There's an incredible amount of good work being done to make amends. How much of the tide it turns, and at what pace, is the question. Either way, whatever green "normal" we reach will be a new one.
Couldn't agree more Jason. 🌷
Jason, thank you for your work. I will read this again and again... until next Thursday when I will read that one again and again. You write the model for all of us who give voice to the ecosystems.🌱
PS Thanks also for lifting up the Alpha Lo interview with Erica Gies. Water Always Wins is essential reading...i may gather a book group.🌱
You're too kind, Katharine. Thank you. I'm happy to be part of the conversation. And thanks for the reminder to read Water Always Wins; I'll put it on my list.
So beautifully put together, Jason. The visual of human fingerprints on storms will stay with me. I'm excited to read the Noema article, how our senses have likely deadened over time is something I think about an awful lot.
Thank you, Chloe. Always happy to speak in metaphor. And yes, it's a hard frame to see the world, isn't it? I'm reminded of Flowers for Algernon, and the character's fading view of his previous deep awareness. But in this case recovery of some sort is always possible. That's the candle we're following, anyway. (More metaphor...)
My favorite source for all climate related content. Thank you. (Also I loved the line: I’ve resigned myself to a life of homework).
Hi Jason. I am here by way of Katharine Beckett Winship and very glad of it. Your writing is profound and poetic which is a hard thing when faced with the hill-up for the climate. I appreciate that you mention "compassion" as it relates to people and how they view nature and handing the management back to the species "who actually know how to manage it". I think about our disconnect as a species to all that is living in nature around us. But I also believe that it is possible to heal the planet but we have to connect with it first. There will always be life's dichotomies and our differences by origin story of how each of us got here but there is nothing equivocal about our dependence on nature.
Thank you for the kind words, Margaret. Welcome to the Field Guide. Yes, so much of where we are is about who we've become culturally, increasingly disconnected but still quite capable of reimagining culture to fit within the limits. That's part of what I'm working to do here. It's good to have you along, listening and responding.