[Coral-List] Finding The Real Root Visionaries

[W Pierce]

It looks like the discussion on this particular thread is winding down.  I
thought as an interested outsider, list lurker if you will, I’d offer this
perspective.

Jameson’s concept requires a bit of sophistication. Busy people really must
pause to grasp the point. It is not one I’m accustomed to hearing.  “The
Real Root Cause” is brought to light partly as a result of increasing
population pressure but that is not Jameson’s significant finding.  It is
about how humans organize, how communities of humans are led and, most
importantly, how large organizations steer the decision making that drives
community response to natural phenomena. What Jameson identified, and we all
see, is the result of evident human limitation when acting in very large
groups, and exacerbated by population mass.  The rate at which the human
community degrades the planet apparently exceeds the rate at which our
institutions respond to that change.  Based on past performance, it might
take 200 years to advance earth consciousness to the point we need to
achieve in the next 25.  Peter Sales is right.  Believe in people.  But that
does not translate into belief in the efficacy of the institutional status
quo.  
 
My point is this.  Human history is chockablock with repeated analysis and
identification of the limitations of our species.  Man cannot fly.  No one
can run a sub-4 minute mile.  Monarchies are divinely ordained and protect
mankind from perpetual anarchy.  For every limitation identified there has
been a countervailing success in overcoming it.  One thing we know about
ourselves is that human imagination refuses constraint. The caveat is of
course that we identify constraint. We know there is a genetic basis for
human behavior.  Science now proposes meta-genetics and suggests there are
effects that real-time behavior and thought have on the development of our
species.  Evolution is not necessarily slow.  And when we talk about global
ecological action we are not talking about growing a third eye.
 
Jameson proposes that we clearly identify how these limitations affect
political, social and economic organization and leadership.   His call to
“understand what we are as a species” is the modern corollary to the Greek
“know yourself”. The perspective gained from this is the necessary precursor
to informed action. The power of individual initiative and action is a key
influence on our ability to promote global sustainable living.  The
scientific community not only informs policy makers but popularizes the
ideas that drive decisions.  Charismatic personalities must emerge to convey
knowledge and inspire constructive action.  Cinner has identified the
intimate connection between conservancy and the encompassing social matrix.
 Jameson extends that perspective by positing that the matrix is
international and involves human behavior within a global context.
 
Most thinking people see the daunting challenge and too well appreciate the
dystopian future failure guarantees.  Our ecological dilemma was not created
at a single stroke nor is it likely to be solved that way.  The way forward
does not spring from the notion that we are shackled to a social
evolutionary pattern that we cannot alter or advance.  By correctly framing
the basic issue humanity faces today Jameson has brought a focus and clarity
that places us firmly on the threshold of understanding. It is time to take
the next steps.

Bill Pierce
Catharpin, VA
wpierce at plexxcomm.net