There Are People Who Care, And, Sadly, Others Who Make Fun of Them
We have a number of people here at 2GreenEnergy who share my concern that our civilization in on an unsustainable path, headed for ruins if it’s unable to fix certain particularly ominous environmental and social conditions. In response to a comment from Cameron Atwood to this effect, a reader posts:
Where have you been, Cameron? I’ve really missed your stentorian doomsday prophesies! The figure in sackcloth holding a sign saying “The End Is Nigh” was a great stock figure in cartoons of my youth. Sadly in recent decades the character seems to have fallen into disuse. I confess to enjoying a bit of old fashioned doomsday, alarmist sermonizing. It brightens up an otherwise serious subject.
I’m always a little sickened when I see remarks like these. There have always been people with honest, well-founded concerns about the sustainability of their societies, and, in the case of the many extinct civilizations, they were tragically correct. At the same time, I’m sure these people were laughed at and ostracized, just like we see in the current-day example above.
Ridiculing people who care is, to me, reminiscent of the rich-kid frat boys I knew in college who came from sufficient wealth that they can afford to mock everyone (especially of lesser means) who didn’t share their arrogant insensitivity for the world around them.
Comments like the one above are unbecoming of intelligent, decent people. We’re better than this.
Craig,
I’m afraid your personal relationship with Cameron has caused you to lose perspective.
Cameron’s sanctimonious, self-righteous style while making stentorian pronouncements invites a certain degree of mild parody. He also explodes with indignation and outrage ( and a certain amount of name calling) when any of his Olympian pronouncements are challenged.
I don’t know much about your experiences with “rich frat boys’, but in my experience, those who preach loudly, grimly(and hypocritically)are bound to find themselves the butt of humour.
As for the immediate collapse of civilization, this is a subject that can be discussed rationally, but not with Cameron whose approach to the subject is as open minded as a backwoods fundamentalist preacher !
Now, I’m sorry if Cameron’s feathers got ruffled, my intention wasn’t malicious, simply to lighten up my criticism with a gentle humour hopefully persuading Cameron to abandon his obsession with grim cliches.
I’m quite sincere, I hoped Cameron would learn to laugh at his own pomposity. I’ve always believed that this ability is hard to learn, (in my own case especially) but I’m sure you will agree it’s one of the most endearing human qualities.
Craig, I’ve no wish to exasperate Cameron’s discomfort, or your own need to defend your friend, so I’m reluctant to dispute the fairness of your criticism.
However, in the interests of fairness, I was not a “rich frat kid” !
I went to University while serving in the Army as a veteran. Between death duties and a profligate parent, by the time I was at Uni, the family money had long since disappeared, and the only thing I inherited was a near bankrupt estate, debt’s (rivaling the national debt)and the financial responsibility for a school age younger brother.
What ever I have achieved in life has been through my efforts and sacrifice.
Cameron does not have a monopoly on wishing to see a better, more sustainable and environmentally aware society.
Perhaps, he would provoke less lampooning if (as I have often invited him to do so) he provided some evidence of putting his words into action !
We all try in our own ways to help the environment. We try to show by example how it’s possible to move forward to a better, more environmentally beneficial society.
Craig,in this respect you are a shinning example. Other readers build micro-hydro generators, spend time studying and assisting in the development of small South Pacific nations etc.
On the other hand, ( I could be wrong) Cameron just seems to spend his time fulminating against organizations and people he disagrees with while gleefully prophesying doom.
Cameron is vociferous in his hatred for oil companies, yet when asked to purchase an EV, falls strangely silent . (just an example).
Craig, we all admire your dedication and willingness to have your opinions and beliefs challenged. I have always found your ability to rethink some aspects, and accept alternate information as a mark of your sincerity. I also appreciate your sense of humor.
So what are we really talking about here ?
Yeah, I compared Cameron’s rhetoric to a cartoon character, so he called me a Troll. Now I found his answer amusing, (if a bit cliched). I took no deep offense and just moved on. (after all, if you dish it out, then you can’t complain about the reaction you provoke :).
In response to your criticism.
While it’s true there have been people with honest, well-founded concerns about the sustainability of their societies, there have also been many more prophets of doom, gloomy malcontents, armchair critics whose endless complaints and unfounded pessimism have proved meaningless.
To make a difference, we need to strengthen our institutions, restore public trust and respect, understand that there are no simple fixes to complex problems, stop relying on grand solutions that may never happens and engage the average man with positive technologies where the benefits can be easily understood.
It’s useless talking to a small, self congratulatory group of smugly ” converted believers” . To succeed the environmental movement needs broad and popular support.
To achieve this most divisive or disruptive ideology/philosophy or political beliefs must be set aside, in order to focus on what can be achieved with broad support.
Anyway, that’s my belief.