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Jedi Guy

(3,477 posts)

13. Greed is certainly a part of it, but it's not the entire story.

Sat Jul 3, 2021, 09:32 AM

Jul 2021

To some extent it's human nature to close one's eyes to a problem one would just as soon not confront. Not because one is greedy and wants more, but because one doesn't want to upset the applecart of what's familiar and comfortable. "If I don't acknowledge the problem, it'll just sort itself out." Trump's response (heavy sarcasm here) to Covid is a perfect example of this mindset.

There's probably a significant fear component there, as well. Some people are just loath to acknowledge when they're afraid of something, anything. I worked with a guy who was clearly an arachnophobe. If he saw a spider, he was out of the room so fast he left a vapor trail. But he refused to acknowledge that fear and insisted he "just doesn't like them."

Unfortunately, we're fighting human nature in addition to climate change. A friend of mine is fond of referring to humans as "overclocked monkeys" and he's certainly right in that the monkey-brain is still very much present.

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I am 72 years old. I have always thought of climate change as a disaster that I would [View all] Atticus Jul 2021 OP

Sadly, this is true for me as well... You spoke for me, Atticus... secondwind Jul 2021 #1

A balmy 64.9F in Antarctica in 2020. Yeah, it's here. nt Phoenix61 Jul 2021 #2

I think it's important for us humans to take steps to stop what we do that adversely affects abqtommy Jul 2021 #3

Post removed Post removed Jul 2021 #11

+1. thing that pisses everyone off stopdiggin Jul 2021 #19

How about the Yellowstone Caldera? If that baby blows it will be PatrickforB Jul 2021 #26

But, PatrickforB, I too am an aging baby boomer, 68, and if there is ever a demographic .... jaxexpat Jul 2021 #49

Ah, a thoughtful response. I still have some small say at the policy level in PatrickforB Jul 2021 #59

I deeply regret that I have never had children.... DemocraticPatriot Jul 2021 #91

And not to forget deliberate governmental misdeeds dianaredwing Jul 2021 #62

You do realize you are insulting all older people with that comment, don't you? NH Ethylene Jul 2021 #37

Yeah and I have voted in every possible election I could since age 18 and McGovern, so, Captain Zero Jul 2021 #84

I was just a few days too young to vote for McGovern. NH Ethylene Jul 2021 #97

on the other hand, the poster in question stopdiggin Jul 2021 #99

and.. what planet are you living on? Eyeball_Kid Jul 2021 #29

I'm living on this planet we call Earth. Science and history tells us that it is 4.5 billion years abqtommy Jul 2021 #48

your argument would be much more palatable stopdiggin Jul 2021 #100

I'm not arguing, I'm stating my OPINION. Your OPINION is fine too, except for the personal abqtommy Jul 2021 #103

Actually there are billions of people I_UndergroundPanther Jul 2021 #89

Thanks for your perspective. What I'm hearing you say is that humans are a problem just by the abqtommy Jul 2021 #93

I love my Othello too much to ever I_UndergroundPanther Jul 2021 #107

I don't blame you, that's a beautiful cat. abqtommy Jul 2021 #109

Thanks. I_UndergroundPanther Jul 2021 #110

I'm a boomer and have to disagree with you dixiegrrrrl Jul 2021 #52

I don't expect everyone to agree with me. Your viewpoint is as valid as mine. Thanks. Oh, and abqtommy Jul 2021 #53

1.True, 2. Wish you were right but clearly you are not. mahina Jul 2021 #85

I'm nearly 71, my grandchildren are actively doing their part... msfiddlestix Jul 2021 #4

I know how you feel. NH Ethylene Jul 2021 #38

Not me. I've watched it evolve for over 50 years, always thought Hortensis Jul 2021 #5

we knew... markie Jul 2021 #7

Greed is certainly a part of it, but it's not the entire story. Jedi Guy Jul 2021 #13

If "human nature" is an obstacle to preserving the ecosphere... Eyeball_Kid Jul 2021 #31

"on the road to extinction" markie Jul 2021 #32

Extinction would be very difficult, to put it mildly. However, nasty setbacks Hortensis Jul 2021 #35

I'm with ya, kiddo. When I feel a little out of sorts I just re-scan my barcode. jaxexpat Jul 2021 #51

Lol, exactly. Protection again foolish charismatic and inimical influences. nt Hortensis Jul 2021 #60

Unbelievably though, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, OSHA and hazardous waste laws were passed under Evolve Dammit Jul 2021 #28

Yes. Notably, the League of Conservation Voters keeps records of every Hortensis Jul 2021 #96

In the early 60's folks like Cheney and Rummy were in Congress and voted against Medicare and all Evolve Dammit Jul 2021 #101

Yes. The corruption and cultural degradation on the right Hortensis Jul 2021 #102

They do emulate/ copy their leader whether it's the orange guy or whoever. They are all the crazies Evolve Dammit Jul 2021 #106

"Let me make my money now, hell with the planet, DemocraticPatriot Jul 2021 #92

Indeed malaise Jul 2021 #6

It's scary to see such a dramatic change. NH Ethylene Jul 2021 #40

Precisely malaise Jul 2021 #43

Love reading your posts dianaredwing Jul 2021 #63

I could quote you word for word except for the age thing. Ferrets are Cool Jul 2021 #8

Surprise! Firstly, who'da thought we would live to be 70+. JustABozoOnThisBus Jul 2021 #9

B-b-b-b-baby you ain't seen nothin' yet. Goodheart Jul 2021 #10

Until a hurricane slams into D.C. Javaman Jul 2021 #12

Super Storm Sandy made a big splash on the Eastern Seaboard NH Ethylene Jul 2021 #41

Unfortunately, this is just the beginning. Pobeka Jul 2021 #14

Exactly! Thank you! Duppers Jul 2021 #15

Well...maybe not so much? Moostache Jul 2021 #34

The best post so far misanthrope Jul 2021 #54

and a fine post yourself, too. yonder Jul 2021 #72

I loved that song, Good Heart! Dreampuff Jul 2021 #16

Earth is beginning to resemble Mordor Ponietz Jul 2021 #17

58 degrees this AM in Hendersonville NC. Delightful. and Weird! NewHendoLib Jul 2021 #18

We will only experience a foreshadowing of suffering our children and grandchildren will navigate. Magoo48 Jul 2021 #20

We will only experience a foreshadowing of suffering our children and grandchildren will navigate. Magoo48 Jul 2021 #21

Want to fight climate change? Have fewer children. Duppers Jul 2021 #22

I'm doing my part! smirkymonkey Jul 2021 #33

Zero children (except the 4-legged ones). Vegan. Still have a car and fly very infrequently. CousinIT Jul 2021 #47

I'm not certain that leaving all the childbearing Crunchy Frog Jul 2021 #65

Good point, but ... Duppers Jul 2021 #71

Most of all of our forebears were uneducated and religiously insane. Scrivener7 Jul 2021 #94

What we need is a worldwide, one child policy. roamer65 Jul 2021 #77

Exactly! Duppers Jul 2021 #78

I most certainly disagree! Backseat Driver Jul 2021 #88

After watching the COVID pandemic & events of last year juxtaposed next to climate change events, Pachamama Jul 2021 #23

Humans will survive but Elessar Zappa Jul 2021 #24

Civilization will also survive. Decoy of Fenris Jul 2021 #50

I will write the same reply to you that I wrote to the poster you were responding to. StevieM Jul 2021 #113

That is not at all clear. StevieM Jul 2021 #112

It's all there misanthrope Jul 2021 #114

George Carlin - circa 1982 Moostache Jul 2021 #36

This year in spring in Indiana it started raining almost every night Captain Zero Jul 2021 #86

I agree I_UndergroundPanther Jul 2021 #111

It is the wages of living in a world where the people that call the shots believe Chainfire Jul 2021 #25

To be fair to the cretins at the top... Moostache Jul 2021 #39

Generation Z Elessar Zappa Jul 2021 #27

I share your grief jmbar2 Jul 2021 #30

If you look at human history misanthrope Jul 2021 #56

Likewise, tho I was finishing my undergrad work at the same time you were starting... Hekate Jul 2021 #57

Worldwide indeed TexasBushwhacker Jul 2021 #80

There have been scientists that have done a lot of hard work from every generation chowder66 Jul 2021 #104

I'm 70. I'm a pessimistic realist. Another Jackalope Jul 2021 #42

This is why I've been ambivalent cagefreesoylentgreen Jul 2021 #44

Very likely hyperinflation will destroy it. roamer65 Jul 2021 #82

Yep. Snackshack Jul 2021 #45

I have a sister with the same attitude. With climate change, social security...all of that ... CousinIT Jul 2021 #46

Same age as you, exactly the same thoughts. ... Hekate Jul 2021 #55

I'm also 72 and grateful not to have children or grandchildren to inherit the mess we're leaving. Vinca Jul 2021 #58

I feel horrified for my first grandchild. sellitman Jul 2021 #61

I chose not to have kids when I was very young. BigmanPigman Jul 2021 #64

Much the same here. roamer65 Jul 2021 #76

We can not go quietly into the night for the sake of our children and the wildlife. waterwatcher123 Jul 2021 #66

Beautifully expressed jmbar2 Jul 2021 #87

Thank you - sorry for the delayed response. waterwatcher123 Jul 2021 #116

I believe there's an even greater, more idealistic reason misanthrope Jul 2021 #105

Good point - it is too bad that our self-awareness is not enough to over-ride other impulses. waterwatcher123 Jul 2021 #115

I have been paying attention. Susan Calvin Jul 2021 #67

It's likely too late however as individuals one of the single most impactful actions totally in our MLAA Jul 2021 #68

I'm on your side. Aussie105 Jul 2021 #69

Yeah! MLAA Jul 2021 #81

I am 6 years younger mgardener Jul 2021 #70

It's inevitable. Aussie105 Jul 2021 #73

This thread is exceptional. yonder Jul 2021 #74

I'm in the mid fifties and I expect to see the leading edge of it. roamer65 Jul 2021 #75

Climate exodus indeed. Aussie105 Jul 2021 #79

Same Thtwudbeme Jul 2021 #95

As the climate crisis gets worse, we will also see suicide rates increase dramatically. roamer65 Jul 2021 #83

Yeah, the problems seem to be multiplying... DemocraticPatriot Jul 2021 #90

41 yr old here. Sounds like I'm a youngin in this thread NickB79 Jul 2021 #98

I am 71 and feel the same ribrepin Jul 2021 #108