November 2010
54 posts
Critter “Love Triangle” Creates Poison System in Lake Michigan - Chicagoist →
chicagoist.com
Speaking of ecological literacy….Lake Michigan has some serious problems with invasive species.
Research Notes: For the Beauty of the Earth & "Ecological Literacy"
People who know me personally know that I am not a trained ecologist, nor am I a scientist. Over the past few years, however, I have sought to “think ecologically,” and become what is called “ecologically literate.”
What does it mean to be ecologically literate? In a clear and compelling account, [environmental activist David] Orr argues that the essence of ecological literacy is “that quality of mind that seeks out connections.” In contrast to the narrow specialization that characterizes so much education today—across virtually all the academic disciplines—an ecological frame of mind seeks to integrate, to bring together, to see things whole. In Orr’s words, “The ecologically literate person has the knowledge necessary to comprehend interrelatedness, and an attitude of care or stewardship,” and this must be accompanied by “the practical competence required to act on the basis of knowledge and feeling.” Hence, “knowing, caring, and practical competence constitute the basis of ecological literacy.” Not only must we know, we must care. And not only must we care, but we must have the wherewithal to act responsibly, informed by such knowledge and passion.” -from For the Beauty of the Earth, p. 22
At times I have struggled to find the right expression for why I find certain subjects interrelated, and articulate how they appear in my mind. Sometimes the connections seem as delicate as a thread of silk; at others they are as taut and direct as a tightrope. While working through the book quoted above, For the Beauty of the Earth: A Christian Vision for Creation Care, I found a rather concise group of “laws” presented by the author, Steven Bouma-Prediger, that help me understand some of these concepts a little better. They are explored below.
1. The law of interrelatedness.
A “we are all in this thing together” type of law. No species in no place is in solitary confinement from any other. Including humans. We are dependent on plant and animal species for our own survival. At even the human level, our actions (individual and societal) effect our fellow men and women either directly or indirectly.
2. The law of multiple effects.
“We can never do only one thing. Our actions always have many consequences, some of which we do not know and cannot predict.” (Bouma-Prediger, 36)
3. The law of the conservation of matter.
An actual scientific law, relevant to ecology because nothing is ultimately destroyed—it just changes form. Applied to industrial production, carbon emissions, and waste disposal, its importance becomes apparent.
4. The law of the conservation of energy (the first law of thermodynamics).
Another scientific law. “It takes energy to get energy….when energy changes from one form to another, some of the useful energy is degraded or becomes less useful. This is the second law of thermodynamics: In energy conversion, entropy or disorder increases.” (Ibid, 37)
5. The law of dynamic systems.
“The earth’s living organisms and natural cycles are constantly changing, and creatures large and small adapt or cease to be.” (Ibid) I would extend this to human society as well, inasmuch that humans are organisms and that society can be considered “natural.”
6. The law of limits.
“There is not always more. Save for the energy income from the sun, the world is finite. We live, like it or not, in a world of limits.” (Ibid)
7. The law of complexity.
The world is exceedingly more complicated than we are aware of at any given moment.
As presented here, there are a number of things one must be cognizant of in order to be “ecologically literate.” These “laws” are a more concise, straightforward expression of what I perceive to be overlapping systems (or spheres of influence, perhaps a better metaphor because it provides three-dimensional attributes and implies a less mechanical, more ethereal imagery) of economy, environment, culture, government, philosophy, religion, and ethics. Each affects the others. “Thinking ecologically” therefore, for someone like me means teasing out how these systems relate to one another, discovering their points of contact and diversion. It is hard work, striving to think this way, but it is good work. I believe it is necessary work.
John Thackara: Is an Environmentally Neutral Car Possible?: Observers Room: Design Observer →
observersroom.designobserver.com
Follow this link to find a truly compelling model for “environmentally neutral” transportation. I say “transportation” instead of “car” because the idea behind Riversimple’s business does not include private ownership of individual vehicles, but what is purchased is rather “mobility as a service:”
But Riversimple’s technology is just the start. It’s cars will not be sold outright. Customers will buy mobility as a service rather than a car as a product. There will be no maximum or minimum mileage allowance and critically, it is a fully bundled service covering all costs such as road tax, vehicle maintenance, insurance and fuel, with no surprises to the customer.
The vehicles themselves are designed to run on renewable fuels and intended for short distances. The infrastructure would be built around overlapping regional nodes, which the article’s author fittingly describes as “cellular.”
Finally, the business is open source through and through. This last bit is what makes me skeptical. I can readily understand that if the vehicles are not individually owned and everyone has a vested interest in the vehicles lasting as long as possible, then the companies that make parts will also have a vested interest in making good products and maintaining them. However, making manufacturing and design details open source might make companies hesitant to enter this market.
Nonetheless, it’s a fascinating idea and the degree of thought and consideration taken by Riversimple is impressive. These are the kinds of ideas we need to pursue in order to address the interrelated problems of ecology, economy, and transportation.
Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!
Have some turkey!
Have some ham!
Have some pie!
Hug your loved ones!
Don’t get in fights!
Skype with siblings far away!*
Play board games!
Play some football!
Watch some movies!
Take a nap!
Enjoy your family!
(I’ve now used up my exclamation points for the year. The quota will reset in 2011.)
Everyone have a great day.
*hint hint
Minimalist Superheroes →
wired.com
No, not Hemingway and Vonnegut.
#421 – Data For What? « Culture Rover →
michaeljkramer.net
Another thoughtful entry by Dr. Kramer. If you’re not following his blog, you should. This particular essay addresses the “developing field of digital humanities,” and the two prevalent schools of thought: 1. use digital tools to find patterns in linguistic/historical data, 2. digitize the humanities experience.
The first option he discusses reminds me of a WIRED cover story from 2008, that declared that we are in the “Petabyte Age” and was titled “The End of Theory: The Data Deluge Makes the Scientific Method Obsolete.” Though not prone to skepticism in recent years, I was largely unimpressed with the argument that because we are able to amass so much data that patterns will become instantly recognizable, and render the interpretive/empirical scientific method unnecessary . (WIRED is known for making sweeping declarative statements, however.) Having been married to a scientist, even second-hand I know that the generation of data is not all that is required to practice good science—you must spend a considerable amount of time analyzing the data you’ve produced.
The same is true in the humanities. Digitization of data makes the manipulation, distribution and presentation of data easier…it does not free us from the necessity of interpretation.
To the second point, I am curious as to how the humanities might be successfully digitized without significant disruption in academia. The humanities are steeped in tradition, and that is one thing digital technology has no respect for. We as the creators and producers of digital technology have no loyalty: 15 years ago I bought tapes, 10 years ago I bought CDs, 5 years ago I bought MP3s, a year ago I bought the streaming rights to songs that weren’t even stored on my computer. If education is digitized, is it as subject to the whim of the market, or of compatibility wars, or gain our attention only as long as the meme is passed around?
I believe I have taken this a different direction than Dr. Kramer had intended, but the questions remain.
Biking the Boulevards with Geoffrey Baer | Biking the Boulevards - WTTW →
wttw.com
This looks very interesting. Geoffrey Baer makes some incredible shows about Chicago.
Good night. Put out the lights.
In our rhythm of earthly life we tire of light. We are
glad when the day ends, when the play ends; and
ecstasy is too much pain.
We are children quickly tired: children who are up in the
night and fall asleep as the rocket is fired; and the
day is long for work or play.
We tire of distraction or concentration, we sleep and are
glad to sleep,
Controlled by the rhythm of blood and the day and the
night and the seasons.
And we must extinguish the candle, put the light
and relight it;
Forever we must quench, forever relight the flame.
from ‘THE ROCK’ by T.S. Eliot
Play
