After reading the article on the Amazon Rain Forest, I was intrigued by the discussion of our Socratic seminar. Prior to the discussion, I was one-sided with my original thoughts. However, after hearing the others talk and discuss the view points, many of them made sense in the way they were described.
My main concern is where do we as humans stop relying on our non-renewable fossil fuels and truly focus on long-range plans. We all know the fossil fuels will ultimately run out or we will have stripped everything available. Then what?
I fear we currently only consider the quick fix for the immediate solution on our fuel dependency that is convenient now but none of the “decision makers” seem to be willing to fully commit to looking at other solutions.
I often wonder and worry what will our children will have?
I think about this a lot almost everyday now driving to work. I have a 30-minute commute each way. I am but one person in many cars, burning… gas, each day. In a more perfect world, I’d work within biking distance to my home. This article was a “perfect storm” of contradictions, and I enjoyed the experience of not only dealing with the “dissonance” in my own head, but as you also put it, the dissonance and discussion between our class.
I find myself taking a Kant-ian approach to things, as I knew I would… looking for a universal creed by which to judge my own decisions. It’s never that easy, however.
What comes to mind is the so-called “Prime Directive,” made famous in StarTrek, whereby everyone lives in a money-free economy, and vows to not disturb the value system of others. In this case, Picard would have left the South American’s alone… and let them decide themselves.