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Ecology and Economy - New Zeitgeist Forming?

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The Eco Twins Have Arrived by John Caris

The Eco Twins are upon us, forcing us to re-evaluate our attitudes and correct our assumptions. In popular jargon they are at bat in the bottom of the ninth with no outs and the score is at the moment tied.

Who are these Twins? They are the ever-present natural powers of ecology and social economy. Ecology and economy - what is their basic meaning? Both words are derived from the Greek: eco means house; logy, from which the word "logic" is derived, order or arrangement; nomy implies management.

So ecology designates the ordering or relationship of the parts to each other and to the whole house. And economy deals with household management. Obviously, we humans with all our fancy technology are failing in both areas. The more pessimistic argue that we have already turned the corner and cannot prevent disaster. The more optimistic contend that humans still have the opportunity to alleviate total disaster by acting now. Not tomorrow but now. Will we?

The first step is to let go of our arrogance based on the false notion that change is progress is improvement is desirable. If that were correct, then of course we would not be facing such a catastrophe.

A specific type of technology is not inherently superior or inferior to other technologies. Here lies another level of our modern arrogance: contemporary technology is superior to all earlier ones. A false premise is that the latest or newest is the best. And of course if everyone is doing it, using it, what can be wrong with it?

We believe we must help the less fortunate who don't have the latest iPod, computer game, or gadget. Should we force these products on them so they can be like us, the superior ones? Yes, the greater the pride the harder the fall. And what will these 'less fortunate' give up for the latest gadgets? Why, the only thing they have - their natural resources and their social identity and culture.

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