Lately, I’ve been reading a lot about peak oil, our place in the world economy, and the harmful industrialization of our everyday food. Simply put, I haven’t been writing as a result of the information overload that I’m enjoying at the moment.
Joy might seem like a strange way to describe the topics I just bantered off but it’s true. Reading about these seemingly distant and to some even unimportant things have really better helped me gain a greater understanding of the world I live in. We take for granted everything that happens around us, rather than complain upon hard times I’d rather understand what has lead to or is currently causing such events to unfold. No the topics are not joyful - peak oil can be a very depressing topic - but the sense of empowerment you get from taking the time to learn the how, and why is. Now I don’t feel quite as helpless in this world as I did before.
It’s easy for all of us to player the role of the ignorant citizen or shrugging things off as either inapplicable to us or unstoppable by us. But I feel quite the contrary, if we take the time to educate ourselves on these things happening now we can make change that is not political but behavior. We can learn and change what we do ourselves instead of simply standing around and feeling helpless. So with that rant, I’m asking you, what topics in this world are concerning you most? I’m interested in listening.
April Holle Says:
8:59 amJun 17Great post Jim, I really believe that if a 1/10th of the effort we put into complaining could be rerouted into changing, a lot of our problems would be minimized. A lot of our issues stem from a lack of knowledge and understanding, it’s amazing how you, a single person, can help make a difference if you just understand HOW to make a difference.
The biggest issue I think facing the world today is the lack of motivation to do SOMETHING about what we find disturbing. As much as we like to hide in the fact that we’re only one person, one person can make a lot of change in the world, especially these days with social networks and the communication levels we have around the world. We all feel so helpless about this grand scale issues, but what we don’t realize is that we can all do something to help.
I have personal things that I obsess about, like:
- our impact on the environment and how we can decrease it by simple every day things like unplugging phone chargers when we’re not using them
- how to teach future generations to be more creative, ambitious and empathetic than us, they’re going to need to be to deal with the next set of issues the world comes up with
- the general health and welfare of the entire world starvation, disease, and poverty effect all countries, how can we lift up those in need to become part of a performing society without making them dependent on aide
There are others as well, but I think about those on a daily basis…
Alex Berger Says:
1:18 pmJun 17Jim,
I couldn’t agree more. I’ve been in a very similar state. Just the other day I spent 6 hours in the evening after work immersed in various articles, videos, and podcasts. When I mentioned it to friends, most looked at me like I was crazy. The reality is curiosity is, in my opinion, our greatest gift and despite the frustrations that go along with it - it truly is an amazing thing.
Central to my current explorations has been looking at politics, the global/international environment, civil liberties issues, exploring religion and particularly atheism in great depth, business and then the creme de’la creme of my interests: The internet and the future of the web/it’s social/economic impact on our lives and the future of our nation.
There is so much amazing information out there, I find myself overloaded in the best of ways at times. Pingponing back between video clips of recorded lectures, sampling knowledge as though i were leisurely strolling through a favored buffet.
Jim Jeffers Says:
10:14 pmJun 17@alex - yes it can be quite a burden. I think just as useful as the net can be it’s also quite the addiction. Sometimes it’s better for us to get our knowledge from other sources such as books, attending lectures, or even possibly becoming participants in activists groups.. or not. I think the net can be a double edged sword and it’s equally as important to stay away from it as it is to utilize it. Just my two cents.
@april - you are 100% right - this great indifference to the driving forces at hand is our largest shortcoming as a society. I mean I don’t want to sound all out of whack here, but it seems like most people just find it more convenient to simply be a cog in the wheel. I mean we’re all guilty of this myself included. But I think it’s sad to see people frustrated and great relationships get strained over such mundane issues in their lives. I think a lot of people create more problems for themselves by not focusing on the bigger problems in the world and finding a cause to rally behind passively or actively. The sad thing is, when people simply act like a cog in the wheel and do the reasonable thing - accept the status quo - it just allows bigger forces to exploit and take advantage of them.
I know that sounds kind of loony and maybe even slightly elitist. But all I’m saying is that we all need to take advantage of the information and becoming more active participants in the society we live in rather than simple targets of consumption for large corporations.
Alex Berger Says:
3:06 pmJun 18The central challenge when dealing with the internet is, I would say, not finding information but finding opportunities that open you up to information outside your normal knowledge stream. As you mention, groups, lectures and the sort offer excellent opportunities for this type of behavior. Situations, where you can sit down face to face with other individuals and engage in a discourse with individuals outside your immediate group of friends and like minded associates. It’s a necessary step to escape the incestuous conversation nature we can seemingly slip into quite easily.
On the flip side, the video and audio lecture recordings out there, available through the web are amazing. TED being the foremost example that comes to mind. Gaining access to lectures of that caliber without having to pay the $6,000/yr access fee is an incredible thing.
Connor Says:
11:01 pmJun 20I want to watch that ‘A Crude Awakening,’ looks really interesting, I really hate how consumptive my dodge is, would love to get something smaller preferably a Hybrid.
Currently I’m reading ‘wikinomics,’ which discusses the collaborative power of the internet but I would much rather recommend Thomas Friedman’s book “The World Is Flat.” Which looks more at globalization but also encompasses the changing economy caused by the internet.
I wish I had a better understanding of the economy, hopefully my AP Econ class next year will help somewhat.
I completely agree that the internet tends to be a double edged sword, It can be a huge tool for social movement and collaboration but also a pacifier and a distraction.
Mark Nutter Says:
9:48 pmJun 23I think you might have misspelled the title. Just a heads up. Love the site, it’s beautiful.
Jim Jeffers Says:
9:55 pmJun 23Oh geez - thanks for the heads up Mark!
@connor - yes I too have read Friedman’s book. Globalization is a very pervasive issue these days and still, not too many people educate themselves on it. Toyota is building plants in the US, meanwhile GM is building plants in Mexico. Food for thought huh? Who would have thought. I need to check out wikinomics. Sounds interesting!
Amaterashu Says:
10:19 pmAug 17that’s right, I agree with you..
If we want the world change, we mus change ourselves first