I, the Goose, in my 51st year of life, has concluded that humanity is totally screwed up.
I do have the greatest respect for others like me who are trying to "save the world" each in their own way. I have about a half dozen individuals like that listed on the column at right.
In 1997 I had the same ambition and was at it full speed until April 2003 when I started getting tired of charging into a brick wall. Since then, unfortunately, I've been doing less and less activist work. In 2009 my employer cut staff and I've been working long hours, and just trying to survive since that date.
If I had free time, what would I do? My main interest was human overpopulation, so I guess I'd get back to that. Not that I'm trying to tell anyone what to do -- I just know the world would be healthier if there was universal access to contraception. I still think that this one goal can make the greatest difference in the social and environmental well being of the Planet.
But, today shall not be a discussion on Population, for today is Christmas Day.
Christmas
I no longer think much of this day either way. It's just a fun winter holiday. At the risk of being a Grinch, I'll say it's also environmental carnage. People wrap junk in paper. People rip off the paper and have their momentary high. The paper and tons of packaging are then thrown away. People put lights on their homes, and coal-power electric plants spew a little more carbon into the air to provide electricity for those lights. Then there is the cooking and candy — people stuff themselves with junk. This is how we celebrate the birth of Christ, and we are told this is a Christian holiday, even though it's full of traditions and symbols that date back to Pagan times.
Christopher Hitchens
For some reason, I've been really missing the guy this week. The great service he did to the world was to put cracks in people's belief systems. Whether on the political left or right, this world is full of righteous people who believe their dogma is above reproach. Hitchens challenged a lot of things that are simply accepted in our screwed up world, and things that are often seen as "taboo" to discuss. He just "told it like it is" and challenged social norms. He stirred the pot, and he pissed off a lot of people on both sides of the political spectrum. In his dying days he was honest and open about his struggle with cancer. I liked the guy.
Tom Shadyac
You know what, I really love this guy. His documentary, I Am, is still going through my head. Here is the classic story of the super successful movie director who has a near-death experience, gives away most of his wealth, and moves from his two mansions to a mobile home. He gives up being a movie director to teach at a local community college. His message is that to "save the world" we must learn to work cooperatively instead of independently and competitively. I like the message a lot. I encourage everyone to see I Am.
Facebook
Facebook is an interesting social experiment that has literally changed the entire world. I shall not be posting links to my blog there any more. Why? Simply because no one cares. Oh, except for some of my relatives who are apparently shocked that I have dared to question religion. Well, at least they read my blog. If anything, it planted some doubt and questions in the minds of people who are so sure they know the One Right Way. Most of what goes on with Facebook is mindless banter. The people who were posting all their personal drama did provide entertainment for a while, but then it got old. On the plus side, Facebook is a good way to feel "connected" with your friends, neighbors, and relatives. I suppose.
Signing off for now...
