I haven't been posting much lately, and will probably do so sparingly for the next little while. The problem is that I can think of very little that is in any way constructive, filled as I currently am with a bleak and cynical picture of our species. Just to illustrate, I shall offer two brief videos that amply demonstrate a short-sighted and foolish humanity.
Exhibit One: While there can be few people who are unaware of the juggernaut of climate change quickly overtaking us and the need to reduce our consumption of fossil fuels, like Pavlovian dogs (no disrespect to canines intended) they react to lower gas prices by doing this:
For Exhibit Two, please advance to the 18-minute mark of the following:
So I think I shall lay low for a little while, try to return to some semblance of equilibrium (admittedly difficult, given that I live in Doug Ford's Ontario, where education is the latest institution under attack. And that, my friends, is a whole other magnitude of stupid.)
We have unleashed our darker angels, Lorne. Like you, I'm laying low -- partly because of back problems -- but partly because I am simply appalled. Ditto about Mr. Ford.
ReplyDeleteI hope your back problems resolve themselves soon, Owen. I miss your always-informative posts, but during this time of convalescence, may you focus on more cheerful matters and diversions than our current state of politics.
DeleteSometimes it is necessary to stop beating ones head against the wall in order for the brain to recover and be prepared for later trauma, hard to do when the walls keep closing in Lorne!
ReplyDeleteSo aptly said, Rural!
DeleteWhy do people feel the need to video themselves doing things that are not only pointless but clearly dangerous? I've done a few fairly dangerous things but, in every case, I was professionally trained, properly equipped and tested for proficiency. I had to admit this but, in our overpopulated world, I see these morons and then think to myself, "well... "
ReplyDeleteAs for the second item, this is little more than a manifestation of the ultimate consumer economy in human history. Then again I remember as a kid how we envied the kid whose dad just pulled into his driveway with a shiny new Cadillac.It made my dad's DeSoto (yes, that was a car) look pretty shabby.
As the years passed I developed, fortunately, a taste for the aesthetic. I was a big fan of Beau Brummell who ended flash, flamboyant fashion for men, instead focusing on tailoring. First thing I do when I buy a good blazer is have the shiny brass buttons removed and replaced with inconspicuous black buttons. That, and a pair of grey flannels, an oxford-cloth shirt and a regimental tie, brogues or loafers - and you're done. You look really good without making any waves and well cut clothes never go out of fashion. No padded shoulders, no abbreviated hems, no wide lapels, no narrow lapels, no wide ties, no skinny ties. You chase those faddish things and all you wind up with is a closet cluttered with unwearables. Yet that's what people do and have done for generations. I've known women who toss out a dozen pairs of shoes a year without a thought. Bizarre.
I saw your recent post about the snowmobilers causing avalanches, Mound. The culling that such foolishness entails is hard to argue against.
DeleteAs for rampant consumerism and fashion fads, well, as you well know, that is the basis of an economy that we are told must always expand, something you have written about very eloquently. I see no reason to hope for change. Do you?
We must live in hope, Lorne. We may not make enough progress but we still have to strive for what we can achieve. We plainly won't be able to thwart most climate change impacts but we can make them far worse, more damaging, more lethal than need be and giving up is the surest way of making that the reality for those who'll be around to face these problems.
Delete.. the salamander horde continue to find articles of astonishing value or revelation.. or inspiration. This we do via Twitter.. and of course Progressive Bloggers.. you need no introduction to the leading lights & exemplars.. being one. But Twitter is a gift that keeps giving.. and here in salamander & newt country, we award 'Tweet of the Day' .. we discover these at 4 or 5:30 AM or earlier or a bit later.. It matters not, but the discoveries are wondrous.. whether blogged or tweeted or simply linked.. sometimes there is a thread to follow or we find ourselves opening new pathways.. Environment is always a big avenue to explore with one hand waving.. (Bob Dylan) .. of course 'politics' is involved.. or should we say the failure of our 'public serpents' to adhere to what they were elected to accomplish .. or at least try to .. We think you address this consistantly.. and always appreciated .. so never say die.. we are never surprised by the direction or thrust of your intriguing insights.. in fact we expect such.. your posts are eagerly opened.. considered.. often read several times.. to savor the Canadian perspectives.. and measure them.. consider ourselves in such views, findings or stance.. Its good.. always good.. to hear such a coherent, concerned, observant voice..
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sal, for your very kind and gracious remarks.
DeleteMy board is up for contract negotiations at the end of this school year. I'm not looking forward to what happens next. I don't even know how to prepare for it. University and college is out of reach for many who were counting on help. We live in interesting times. I'm just getting my second wind on it all, but it might be my last!
ReplyDeleteI suspect the negotiations will resemble the kind of nonsense we had to put up with during the Harris years, Marie.
DeleteI suffer from the odd 'jade factor' Lorne.. my remedy is to ensure I start every day extemely early (like a dairy farmer) My old neighbor Clayton Bacon said he needed no alarm clock.. the bell cow would launch nasty strikes at the gate if he was tardy
ReplyDeleteBut to approach my point.. I take care to start with the lovely tweets of the estimable @hwarlow .. refreshing, positive imagery to feed the soul. Another must see is the astonishing avian photography of @harry_fosters up the Ottawa River on the Quebec side. He and his four legger sidekick rule the world of Blue Jay photography .. simply astonishing photos ! I myself am expert level with all forms of camera.. but he astonishes .. humbles me.
One armed locked and loaded with juicy morsels of imagery and a stern cup of filtered coffee, I am ready for the fascinating blogs and tweets of Babel on the Bay.. the formidible Mound, the other likely Northern suspects who often astonish me via their writing or research.. Desrocher comes to mind re polar bears.. he is 'the dude' .. guy named Leach out of U of A re Energy and Big Oil.. The chaff like Kenney or Levant bother me not.. I simply ignore them.. do not have time or interest in the blatherings of Poilievre or Margaret Wente, Lorne Gunter, lord Black et al Inc. Happy hunting and gathering out there.. will meet you at Northern Reflections any morning.. and we too wish his back would cease & desist paining him. I shovel three properties clear of snow - ours and the elderly neighbors on either side..both of whom are retired house painters with lovely wives and bad backs.. I cannot imagine shovelling with a painful back or neck.. and revel in taking that issue away for them. They pay me back with six packs of beer by the way.. so I do like the snowfalls.. Let me know if you discover Helen or Harry via Twitter ! ! And Sammy the Blue Jay
Many thanks for the tips, Sal. I shall be hunting them out post-haste!
DeleteI am having trouble finding @harry, Sal. Can you provide a link?
Deleteits @harry_fosters .. its an underscore, not a hyphen.. but seach as required via twitter search.. like a roving Blue Jay.. you may peruse down his backtrail.. be stunned by the exquisite detail, color, sharpness .. he was one of my great discoveries.. a treasure. I fail to see why some of his imagery is not in The Museum of Civilization or Museum of Man.. or whatever Stephen Harper renamed it as.. The Ceremonial Memorial Of The Stephen Harper Wondrousness ? Anyways.. Audubon must be startled.. at such crafty avian captures of flight by Harry. Let me know if it still will not work for you.. be sure to add the 's' as well
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sal. I shall find him right now.
Deletesilly me.. I could just paste @harry_fosters in a tweet to you.. I slept in till 5:05 today.. bell boss sent me off in the dark with our herd of two ferocious Yorkies.. so I missed catching up with the adventures of Harry et al.. there there was some shovelling required
ReplyDeleteJust checked him out, Sal. A true balm for the soul. I am now following him and @hwarlow on Twitter. Thanks again!
Delete.. madam Warlow is a gem.. another discovery.. I can't recall from where. Her current posts today or yesterday with the bears & children, just slayed me. Did I find her or did she find me ? She is a genius of art, based somewhere in auld England or Scotland.. or hiding out in the Moors or Ayershires somewhere with Mr Warlow.. great fun
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