The Circle of Life (Environmentalists)

[jbrettlip]

You got it spurge...thanks for the help. Guns wasn't as good as this one. He really has developed as a writer and is more interesting to read now.

[PLAYER57832]

Yes, thank you. I have not read that book, but I have heard some of his ideas. I will see if I can find it.

I am afraid this is one of those subjects about which I tend to rant.

I come at it from more of a biologic and ecologic perspective and he is more historical. I like history, but don't know nearly enough about it. I think too often we tend to look at various events independent of the environment. The real truth is that sometimes a snowstorm was what made the differance between one army winning and another losing ... a drought was why a country failed, etc. When we fail to see those connections and only focus on the politics and economics, we do lose a lot. This is, I think one of his main points. (or am I confusing him with someone else?)

Anyway, I will try to find that book.

[HapSmo19]

I like history, but don't know nearly enough about it....

And it shows

[PLAYER57832]

I like history, but don't know nearly enough about it....

And it shows

Just remember, the first step to knowledge is admitting what you don't know... and the more we know, the more we realize we don't know.

[jbrettlip]

Yes, thank you. I have not read that book, but I have heard some of his ideas. I will see if I can find it.

I am afraid this is one of those subjects about which I tend to rant.

I come at it from more of a biologic and ecologic perspective and he is more historical. I like history, but don't know nearly enough about it. I think too often we tend to look at various events independent of the environment. The real truth is that sometimes a snowstorm was what made the differance between one army winning and another losing ... a drought was why a country failed, etc. When we fail to see those connections and only focus on the politics and economics, we do lose a lot. This is, I think one of his main points. (or am I confusing him with someone else?)

Anyway, I will try to find that book.

He mostly is removed from politics. One of the best chapters is about Japan's forestry conservation which started with the samarai culture. One of my other favorites was about Easter island and the massive deforestation which occured during the "head building" phase and how it is now a worthless piece of land.

[PLAYER57832]

Yes, thank you. I have not read that book, but I have heard some of his ideas. I will see if I can find it.

I am afraid this is one of those subjects about which I tend to rant.

I come at it from more of a biologic and ecologic perspective and he is more historical. I like history, but don't know nearly enough about it. I think too often we tend to look at various events independent of the environment. The real truth is that sometimes a snowstorm was what made the differance between one army winning and another losing ... a drought was why a country failed, etc. When we fail to see those connections and only focus on the politics and economics, we do lose a lot. This is, I think one of his main points. (or am I confusing him with someone else?)

Anyway, I will try to find that book.

He mostly is removed from politics. One of the best chapters is about Japan's forestry conservation which started with the samarai culture. One of my other favorites was about Easter island and the massive deforestation which occured during the "head building" phase and how it is now a worthless piece of land.

One problem I see is that he does not take some particulars to demands and natural resources into account.

For example, he talked about American Beer versus German beer and lauded American "efficiency". True, but .. I would still FAR rather drink German beer... and I think THAT is a very key point!

(not to mention all the recalls and such created by American "efficiency").

He does make a good point about why Japan had no guns until recently, etc. However, those things don't universally translate to all types of products or systems. THAT is a very, very key factor he seems to try and gloss over too much from what I have seen and heard.


IN fact, I would argue that super-efficiency results in reduced competition, which results in an overall lowering of quality and increase of cost... and that this is precisely what we are seeing now in many U.S. consumer product markets. (the Walmart/Lowe's effect ... just try and find a decent quality washing machine, dishwasher or even toaster that will last more than a few years and might even be worth repairing.)

[jbrettlip]

Player, I think you are looking at guns, germs and steel, which I did not recommend to you. I didn't care for that book, and thought the premise was a little too obvious and didn't require a whole book to state it. Collapse is about natural resources, what happens when they aren't conserved and what happens when they are. It is MUCH better.I don't know you, but just from the posts in this thread, it is right up your alley.

[PLAYER57832]

Player, I think you are looking at guns, germs and steel, which I did not recommend to you. I didn't care for that book, and thought the premise was a little too obvious and didn't require a whole book to state it. Collapse is about natural resources, what happens when they aren't conserved and what happens when they are. It is MUCH better.I don't know you, but just from the posts in this thread, it is right up your alley.

Actually, I was remembering lectures, looking at various articles, etc. I will try to find that book.