Thursday, August 25, 2011

The Creation of Consumptionism!


It seems almost unbelievable that tens of millions of aboriginal people, around the globe, managed to live their lives in a sustainable manner for thousands of years. Although you may not have learned that in history class, it is true! But their core values were significantly different from ours today, and that's what made it possible. The foundation of these values started with "Respect"; Respect of the self, others and Nature. 

It is this basic concept of "Respect" that was lost in the last 300 years and this "Respect" desperately needs to be restored now, and in our daily lives, if we are to turn things around.

300 years isn't that long ago! Yet, today's civilization, with all our accomplishments, forgot about the importance of "Respect" and in the process, managed to: Strip the majority our planets valuable resources, pollute our oceans, destroy our atmosphere, drive countless species into extinction, negatively affect our climate, and destroy the health of millions of people world wide!

But, what caused such a monumental shift in our thinking?

To many in both business and government, the triumph of the self is the ultimate expression of democracy, where power is truly moved into the hands of the people. Certainly the masses may feel they are in charge, but are they are not!

This four part BBC documentary series titled "The Century of the Self" by Adam Curtis; tells the untold and extremely controversial story of the growth of the mass-consumer society and the birth of Consumptionism.

The documentary tells us how the all-consuming self was created, by whom, and in whose interest?

The Freud dynasty is at the heart of this compelling social history. Sigmund Freud, founder of psychoanalysis; Edward Bernays, who invented public relations; Anna Freud; Sigmund's devoted daughter; and present-day PR guru and Sigmund's great grandson, Matthew Freud. Sigmund Freud's work into the bubbling and murky world of the subconscious changed the world. By introducing a technique to probe the unconscious mind, Freud provided useful tools for understanding the secret desires of the masses. Unwittingly, his work served as the precursor to a world full of political spin doctors, marketing moguls, and society's belief that the pursuit of satisfaction and happiness is man's ultimate goal.




Part 1-Happiness Machines: Part one documents the story of the relationship between Sigmund Freud and his American nephew, Edward Bernays who invented 'Public Relations' in the 1920s, being the first person to take Freud's ideas to manipulate the masses. He showed American corporations how they could make people want things they didn't need by systematically linking mass-produced goods to their unconscious desires.

Part 2: The Engineering of Consent: Part two explores how those in power in post-war America used Freud's ideas about the unconscious mind to try and control the masses. Politicians and planners came to believe Freud's underlying premise that deep within all human beings were dangerous and irrational desires. They were convinced that it was the unleashing of these instincts that had led to the barbarism of Nazi Germany, and in response to this, they set out to find ways to control the masses so as to manage the 'hidden enemy' within the human mind.

Part 3: There is a Policeman Inside All Our Heads, He Must Be Destroyed: In the 1960s, a radical group of psychotherapists challenged the influence of Freudian ideas, which lead to the creation of a new political movement that sought to create 'new people', free of the psychological conformity that had been implanted in people's minds by business and politics. This episode shows how this idea rapidly developed in America through "self-help movements", into the irresistible rise of the expressive self: the Me Generation.

Part 4: Eight People Sipping Wine in Kettering: This episode explains how politicians turned to the same techniques used by business in order to read and manipulate the inner desires of the masses. Both New Labor with Tony Blair and the Democrats led by Bill Clinton, used the focus group which had been invented by psychoanalysts in order to regain power. Both set out to mold their policies to manipulate people's innermost desires and feelings, just as capitalism had learned to do with products.

My Conclusion:  

This 4 part documentary series done by the BBC is probably one of the most important documentaries ever produced! Although it was created in the 1990's "The Century of the Self" is even more important today, because history it seems, is repeating itself! The series truthfully reveals how self sufficient, independent people, and sustainable communities were taught to be consumers.

The documentary also explains that this consumer way of life was intentionally created and reveals how mass production and consumption of goods has led mankind down a very dark path. Not because we are all consuming, but because we were taught that our sense of worth is connected to a high level of consumption. It's this false concept that has led to the poor management of our resources, and this lack of respect that is responsible for a great deal of the problems we face today. 

But is it too late to change our ways? Can we free ourselves from this consumer based lifestyle, and learn to act more responsible and implement a new system of business that is responsible, ethical and sustainable? 

We must remember that we, as human beings have the capacity to adapt and create positive change; we have in the past, and we can now... through necessity! Currently, we are ruled by a system that promotes massive consumerism, but it wasn't always this way! This hyper consumptionism started in the 1920's and now in 2011 this way of life is coming to a crashing halt! The limit to growth isn't about our current population being 8 Billion or even 9 Billion, it has to do with doing away with the Greedy ways of doing business and the false concept of endless oceans, oil, fish, water, land, soil and oil. I believe that humanity is inherently Good, but we must learn to curb our Greed, and "Respect" must be part of our daily lives. 
 
It may take another 5 generations to completely relearn accountable, responsible, ethical and sustainable ways of living. It may also take this long to undo the damage we have done to our planet, but it can be done! 
 
We can do it by combining the knowledge of our ancestors with innovative new technology that works along side nature and not against nature. We can do it, by creating sustainable manufacturing, housing, agriculture and utilizing natural, renewable energy sources and means of anti-gravity and maglev transportation. 
 
Change starts from each of us making a choice. 
 
For instance, I do my best to live in a sustainable manner that is within my means, and respectful of nature and others, and I continue to improve. I am not alone, it's just not as prominent today, and with good reason! 
 
Humanity as a whole had to adapt to survive, and we have, by conforming to a system, earn $$$$ and over-consume. 
 
Luckily, over-consumption can be unlearned, and people are! Government and multinational corporations must do their part as well by acting responsibly, morally and with accountability. This is the trickiest part, But! If big business want to continue to do business, they will have to embrace change, or they will go out of business! In the meantime, a good way to help promote change, is to continue to "Vote with your Dollar" & buy from ethical, sustainable businesses, buy local, support local businesses and farmers! This will cut into the profits of Big Businesses that are behaving badly, and drive home the message. 
 
Do the right thing!

Friday, August 5, 2011

Think Possible! Think Renewable Energy!


I'm forever an optimist, but I am not apathetic, blind or complacent to what ails the world. I see what goes on and I look for solutions to problems that exist, I do so because there is to much negativity in the world.

One thing I believe must occur, is that all War's must end and a World War must be avoided at all costs. We must work towards ending war in a peaceful manner, and I believe we can start solving this mess associated with the global economy, by cutting military spending.

We return the troops home to help build a renewable energy future, and phase out America's dependence on nuclear energy and foreign Oil.

Doing this would save Hundreds of Thousands of Human Lives and create Millions of Jobs. The money that would be saved by bringing the troops home, would save the United States taxpayers over a Trillion Dollars a year.

This one solution is also beneficial to protecting our environment and would reduce the amount of environmental damage and resources we use. Some of these resources, that would have been used to create war, could then be used more wisely by employing more people to upgrade the United States infrastructure, and would include a revitalization of local manufacturing.

By manufacturing solar panels, wind turbines, wave and tidal generators in the United States, would also spur on a Renewable Energy Industry that would create more Good Paying Jobs for Americans.

These jobs would then provide the American people with the money they need to survive and thrive. People would start spending more and people can be reminded that they can "Vote with their Dollar" by supporting local businesses throughout the United States.

We stop all corporate bailouts and demand that they pay appropriate taxes on their profits.

This would rejuvenate the economy, restore faith back in the American Dollar and end the social, economic and environmental crisis.

Think Possible! Together, the people of the United States can solve the problems they face, get things back on track, achieve Renewable Energy Independence and take action to avoid the collapse of the Global Economy.

People cant afford to stand by and do nothing while our elected representatives make decisions that benefit the few and hurt the many.

If you believe in peace, and my message of Hope! Please forward this post to everyone you know. Contact your elected government representatives and demand real change.



( This post was brought to you by Y-Green's desire to be a Leader of Positive Thought and Intention )

( Slogan and Artwork Copyright by Y-Green 2011 )

Y-Green's Feature Friday: Aquaponics UK - Sustainable Food Production




Aquaponics UK is a not for profit social enterprise that provides support for the development of Aquaponics. 
    What is Aquaponics? Aquaponics integrates the best qualities of Aquaculture and Hydroponics to grow healthy organic food in a local, sustainable manner.

     


    The fish and plants are grown in symbiotic unison to achieve a balanced, closed loop system of agriculture, where the system feeds and waters itself. Waste from the fish provide nutrients for the plants, and the plants filter the water for the fish. Crops are constantly harvested and plant trimmings are composted in a wormery to provide food for the fish. The system is then surrounded with a greenhouse, where lady bugs and other beneficial insects are added to create a sustainable Aquaponics Cycle.




    In this TED Talks presentation, Charlie Price from Aquaponics UK, explains the role aquaponics can play in the future of our collective food supply. He also provides insightful information about the applications for aquaponics. But more specifically, he acknowledges aquaponics as a new approach to creating sustainable urban agriculture within any community.

    My conclusion, is that aquaponics will empower thousands of people worldwide to become more self-sufficient, and grow their own food for their household, and community. I also agree with Mr. Prince that aquaponics has the potential to create more resilient communities. 

    Aquaponics can be utilized as a great educational tool for schools to teach their students about sustainable food production.

    Aquaponics UK, proves that we can turn waste into resources, by transforming misused urban spaces into a commercially viable, sustainable way to produce healthy, nutritious food. The examples Mr. Price shows in his presentation also proves; that by growing food with a sustainable Aquaponics system. We can protect the environment, conserve valuable resources and grow healthy abundant food locally, 365 days a year.

    The future looks bright for Aquaponics UK, and I'm convinced that aquaponics is a very timely and much needed sustainable method of farming that will help End World Hunger.

    "Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man how to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime."   

    - Chinese Proverb

    For more information about Aquaponics UK, be sure to visit their website and learn how you can implement Aquaponics in your own community. 


    ( Images provided by Aquaponics UK )