We are stuck because the actions that would give us the best chance of averting catastrophe – and would benefit the vast majority – are extremely threatening to an elite minority that has a stranglehold over our economy, our political process, and most of our major media outlets.
Perhaps you would care to review it and indicate what you have learned, how it could be applied and just what she feels is going to change everything? Is this new stuff or just more confirmation bias?
Overconfidence, not just expert overconfidence but general overconfidence,
is one of the most common illusions we experience. Stan Robinson
Just ordered my copy from News From Nowhere in Liverpool, along with Russell Brand's Revolution. I urge others to do the same as well as sign Brand's petition concerning the New Era housing estate.
I experience pleasure and pains, and pursue goals in service of them, so I cannot reasonably deny the right of other sentient agents to do the same - Steven Pinker
Naomi Klein's book - I'm a quarter of the way through. The book, so far as I've read it, is: "carry on with today's economic trajectory or deal with climate change: take your pick"
She writes in her usual lucid style but the genuine worry in her voice is clear. We don't have decades and I trust her instincts and research.
I experience pleasure and pains, and pursue goals in service of them, so I cannot reasonably deny the right of other sentient agents to do the same - Steven Pinker
As the 2000s progressed, it was becoming ever-more-clear that a heating climate driven by human fossil fuel emissions was taking an increasing toll. For, during recent decades, the DODGY TAX AVOIDERS has been warming at a rate of around 0.25 C every ten years — about twice as fast as the global climate system. The added heat increased evaporation, pushing soil moisture levels below critical thresholds.
I experience pleasure and pains, and pursue goals in service of them, so I cannot reasonably deny the right of other sentient agents to do the same - Steven Pinker
I just read this in the middle of an on-line article:
The other major issue of the past week is the impact of the Republican takeover of the Senate for US energy policies. There is general agreement that it will be very difficult to pass legislation to deal with climate change for a while.
Given the book I'm reading, one could be forgiven for rolling on the floor laughing at that.
I experience pleasure and pains, and pursue goals in service of them, so I cannot reasonably deny the right of other sentient agents to do the same - Steven Pinker
“It’s pretty strange that, globally, not only the UN, but developed country leaders are spending so much time on, quote, climate change,” said Boyce, chief executive officer of Peabody Energy Corp.
Dafuq? What's your address, Greg? You can have Naomi's book after me. No, you can have it now, you need it far more than I.
And what about:
His pitch: cheap and abundant coal should be used to drive economic growth and help the world’s impoverished improve their lives.
Why start now? (oh, and 'pitch': geddit? )
I experience pleasure and pains, and pursue goals in service of them, so I cannot reasonably deny the right of other sentient agents to do the same - Steven Pinker
However it is disappointing in its conclusion, which deflects questions of precise understanding of the social change necessary to combat climate change.
I haven't finished it yet. The above tells me it doesn't have the de rigueur Hollywood happy ending. How delightful and refreshing.
That said, what I have read tells me I'm doing most things right and, just as important, that I can say so.
What I say and do doesn't make a blind bit of difference but maybe several million of 'me' does. One can only hope and try.
I experience pleasure and pains, and pursue goals in service of them, so I cannot reasonably deny the right of other sentient agents to do the same - Steven Pinker
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