An excellent post by A.C. Stark in the U.K.
Are we ready and willing to give up our material comforts and high standard of living to allow our children to live?
In Owen Jones’ recent interview video with Extinction Rebellion, Roger Hallam criticises the political ‘left’ as having been perpetually dishonest about what economic action is required to mitigate the climate breakdown and what cultural changes this will necessitate. He contends that the ‘left’ have become so embroiled, so entrenched in the (conceptually politically right-wing) neoliberal ideal they are unable to conceive of human life “in anything other than cost-benefit, materialistic terms”. Their proposed resolutions have therefore assumed that market forces are enough to tackle climate change: business as usual WILL work, it just needs tweaking! They were wrong, whilst Roger is correct: The ‘left’ – the supposed political guardians of justice and equality – have fundamentally failed to realise that at the very heart of any suitable action to mitigating the climate breakdown requires a redefinition and restructuring of our society and economy. Just like all life on this…
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Three Worlds One Vision 
Thank you for sharing!.. there is a closed minded element of world society that found their ideology comfort zone and will deny any change that may impact them… one does not need a rebellion (rebellions haven’t worked in the past and present), if everyone would give a little, a few would not have to give a lot!.. 🙂
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Dutch, dealing with closed minded individuals can be quite challenging. As David at SmileCalm recommends, it’s “imperative that we keep communication alive.” The problem is that we’re running out of time to “deprogram ourselves and the world,” as Dr. Stein rightly observes.
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Yes, we must keep communication alive, have a civil discussion as to how to proceed and show others that change is not doom… 🙂 rebellion is not communication, rebellion is what has got us to where we are today… 🙂
“The thinking that got us to where we are is not the thinking that will get us to where we want to be”.. Albert Einstein
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The conceptual change being described here is a reimagining of “the good life.” And, of course, the honesty to say that to yourself, lead by example as well as words, raise your children differently, etc. As the writer suggests, it needs to happen fast. We in the West have persuaded most of the world that happiness is to be found in money and “stuff.” It has taken a while. Place your bets on whether we can deprogram ourselves and the world “tout de suite.”
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“Tout de suite” means right now and we all know that is never going to happen. I know, tongue in cheek!
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So true, Dr. Stein. Change will only be possible when, as societies, we are able to decouple ourselves from the “stuff” we cling to for self-worth, self-identity, status, and ultimate happiness. My brothers have all worked hard to provide their wives and children with all the “stuff” that makes for a happy marital union and family life. All for nothing. All of their marriages have ended in divorce. Their stories are by no means unique in Western societies.
We need to tell ourselves a different story about who we are as humans and what truly makes us happy and fulfilled as individuals.
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it’s hopeful hearing of some constructive ideas
to water seeds of compassion towards
ourselves, other people and all living beings,
now and in the future. While it’s not possible
to agree on what must be done, it is imperative
that we keep communication alive in order
to proceed with wisdom, imho :-_
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I’m with you, David. Even keeping communication alive presents its own set of challenges.
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🙂
seems like a better idea
than continuing to be caught
in bad name calling
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on another note, Rosaliene,
i’ve posted comments on a number of other blogs which i follow
and the comments have disappeared, as if needing approval. thing is it’s on blogs i’ve commented on in the past. perhaps they’ve all decided to approve all comments, or maybe there’s some other issue. hope you don’t experience the same issue 🙂
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David, I’m not aware of this issue with my own blog. What I’ve noticed, on occasion, is that some comments may appear in my spam folder. For that reason, I try to check my spam folder on a daily basis.
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thanks for the help, Rosaliene! i generally don’t look there. so, i had a couple hundred spams, with 2 legitimate comments, which were salvaged. perhaps my comments are now becoming spam. how sad, may bloggers don’t offer any other way of contact. wishing you a spam-free moment 🙂
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Pingback: First, Rebel Against Yourself – By Rosaliene Bacchus | Guyanese Online
Pingback: First, Rebel Against Yourself – By Rosaliene Bacchus
I can’t think of a better place to begin this rebellion than in Las Vegas where our road trip stops now. In this kingdom of materialistic excess, I strive for other ways to make
us self fulfilled. You can read about this matter in my next blog.
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Absolutely true, business is what created the crisis, it has to be fundamentally changed
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There’s no doubt in my mind, Judy. Our challenge is making the necessary changes a reality.
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I agree Rosaliene. Have you seen “Requiem for an American Dream” a documentary featuring Noam Chomsky? He makes it clear that we never had a true democracy, the interests of the landowners/wealthy were always the priority, governments serve the corporations. We have an illusion of democracy.
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I have, Judy. He’s an important voice in our times. Sadly, all individuals of our nation have yet to awake to reality.
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It’s the final hours, no time to spare!
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This is absolutely what’s required, but I’m not sure there will be a wave of rebellion from previous generations because we’ve been so acclimated to what we’re doing. However, I agree completely that this is what it will take to preserve what’s left of this planet.
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We all have to get on board, Kathy. Our current crisis requires collective action on a global scale. I’m in.
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Totally agree with you… and it’s the same in Canada.
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