Tales of PEACE: Positively Ethical Applied Community Ecology
We desperately need “‘positively’ ethical applied community ecology”/PEACEmaking across curricula & campuses of all human organizational entities on Eaarth (principles & processes of ecology and appropriate values, critical thinking, decision-making, action & practices … short- & long-term).
paul bain martin
( 7 Ss / VV->^^)
I’m not a fan of apathy or complacency …
(and perhaps too much “religious prayer & mindless worship of all-powerful Gods, … i.e., traditional Gods & Bible-like books & Constitutions & Laws; Ann Ryn, Trump; neoliberal capitalism, ‘technology’, the stuff/glamour/chewing gums & opiates of the mind/power/fossil energy from transnational corporations, industrial ag, ‘organics’, ‘Holistic Management’; military forces & military leaders; what’s Big & Powerful; …”) …
………..
Pleease …
o respect tradition & Elders, but continually learn scientifically, speak out LOUDLY & CLEARLY, listen & learn scientifically, etc., etc. … from Nature, all biota, the Golden Rule, Natural Law & other Laws, …
o listen less to the powerful, or perceived powerful … including religions, transnational corporations, immoral & unethical politicians, the military, our immoral society, …
o AND act smartly toward “Less Is More” and “Positively Ethical Applied Community Ecology/PEACEmaking” in concert with dynamic homeostatic symbioses (including humans) and with the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics, the Precautionary Principle, increasing appropriate diversity & quality life & equity for all … and decreasing disparity and socio-ecological destruction.
paul bain martin
7 Ss / VV->^^
Dad Alton Martin and his “Less Is More”*-ethos/way-of-life from the Depression … and late 1800s and early 1900s conservation-ethos/way-of-life from “G.I. Bill”-learning immediately after he came home from WW II was what, I think, influenced me the greatest in my personal-ethos/way-of-life (given to me through Dad’s genetics and epigenetic and environmental influences). Moreover, the villages of Devine & Stockdale, Vatican II, the civil rights movements of the 1950s, 60s, 70s, the ecological movements of the 1960s & 70s, the Vietnam War, and close friends who were Latinos (including from Latin America), of African descent, & from other areas of the world … positively modified Dad Alton’s foundation and led to my disdain for the military, a desire to be a pacifist, … and a wish to be profoundly & holistically a humble “Positively Ethical Applied Community Ecologist/PEACEmaker” for the long- and short-term.
In reality, perhaps I do not have the genetics, epigenetics, upbringing and learning needed to realize my dream … or rather … I do not have the genetics, epigenetics, upbringing and learning needed to realize my dream.
Nevertheless … I dream!
…………………………
As I prepare for what has been for a number of years an annual trip to Yellow Bear Canyon, Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota to help perform ecological activities with indigenous youth being intellectually & ecologically empowered by the amazing indigenous NGO, Generations Indigenous Ways**, in selecting publications to take along for the trip in a couple of days (this year of 2024), I came across many thought-provoking pieces this June 21st-summer morning (all connected within the arena of socio-ecological justice, or PEACEmaking) …
o “Why War Is Never a Good Idea” by Alice Walker (2007)
o “How to Remain Unconquered. Lessons in Nonviolence from the Danish Resistance to Nazism” by Gerald W. Schlabach (Commonweal, June 2024)
o “On Nuclear Disbelief. ‘Maybe It Just Won’t Happen'”*** by Thomas Powers (Commonweal, June 2024)
o “Photosynthesis. Tilden Lake” a wonderful poem by Jim Powell (Commonweal, June 2024
o “Science in China. Soaring Dragons”**** & “Free Trade. A Peace Offering”**** (The Economist June 15, 2024)
o “Walking” by Henry David Thoreau (first delivered, 1851)
o “Moral Man and Immoral Society: A Study in Ethics and Politics” by Reinhold Niebuhr (Cornel West, Foreword) (First edition, 1932)
o “Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants” by Robin Wall Kimmerer (2015)
and many other good articles and books.
I am deeply indebted to these researchers, authors, journalists for helping to inform me of the history, status quo, and possible future for socio-ecological justice, quality life for all biota, a dynamic homeostatic symbioses continuing to include Homo sapiens, and PEACEmaking.
(And now, after have shared these little thoughts from this morning, I will go outside and mow the grass, … something that I also probably do not do so well and perhaps should not even be done!!!)
…………………………….
*Less Is More by Jason Hickel (2020) (“A powerfully disruptive book for disrupted times. Jason Hickel takes all we’ve been told about growth and development and turns it inside out, offering instead a radically possible vision of a post-growth future. If you’re looking for transformative ideas, this book is for you.” — Kate Raworth, economist and author of Doughnut Economics)
***Of course it will, as long as we continue to have nuclear arms! (We certainly do not demonstrate much of a will/critical mass as moral humans in an immoral society to stop our Wars on a dynamic homeostatic symbiosis including humans.)
****John Lewis tried to teach us about “good” trouble. … We also need to learn about doing “good” (or appropriate) science and “good” trade.
pbm
7 Ss / VV->^^
In my life …
o from my early youth after birth in 1946, with the “War hymns” we learned as youth,
o the various holidays & events during the year telling us how Great we are & how “great we are when at War”,
o the Devine “War”horses,
o the Corps at A&M,
o watching glorified WW II dogfights while waiting to make training flights in Naval Air/a Marine General ridiculously trying to brainwash us with what “greatest warriors” we Naval pilots were/are (back in Pensacola on 1969),
o Korea, VIETNAM, Grenada, Iraq, Bosnia/Croatia/Kosovo, Yemen, Afghanistan, Libya, Ukraine, Gaza, … the many Wars of the U.S.A. (and the history of the numerous shameful “Indian Wars” [& many other Wars])
…………………..
in my life … we have continually glorified War, guns/armaments/weapons-equipment of War, the military, soldiers.
I am tired of this! It saddens me. It sickens me.
(I do hope that I/WE do SOMETHING POSITIVE about this before I pass in the next few minutes to 20 or so years.)
**************
Wasn’t Jesus of Nazareth the “Prince of Peace?” …
Are not we christians supposed to be humble??? …
Why can we not focus more on PEACE vs. War, War, War …, military, armaments, soldiers???
paul bain, in vain?
7 Ss / VV->^^
https://www.paulpeaceparables.com/2022/03/23/war-is-a-crime/
A loved one who came into our “family life” more than twenty years ago
“has hope” “knowing Gen Z will someday be in charge.”
As a stupid knee-jerking contrarian, I could (& would) readily quarrel, using factual substance,
with several aspects of this statement above.
……………………
Some pensamentos …
It is a small sample size and very biased “analysis”,
but three dear Gen Z’s who I once knew & tried to see frequently (& continue to try)
and who I definitely know are, in many ways, intelligent, hard-working, well-rounded, loving individuals
are also de facto “very distant”, unforgiving, unempathetic, and lacking in compassion in their interactions (or lack of) with me.
(No one is perfect! … not even grandchildren!!)
“Hope (in Gen Z) springs eternal” in me, but it is qualified and not absolute.
………………………
My own baby-boomer generation has been described as …
and it was the generation protesting & working hard for civil rights, pacifism, and ecological justice in the 1960s & 70s
(and with some success
but so much more is needed).
I believe my boomer generation’s eagerness for change toward equality/equity
(and perhaps systematic system change)
is/was its most admirable trait.
………………………
Gen Z perhaps could be characterized as …
(If true) being “money-driven” and “digital natives” concerns me greatly!
(The money-driven aspect is a characteristic of the disgraceful former president, Donald J. Trump and his Trumpians, and Trumpsters …
but also many others of varying socio-political/economic persuasions in all generations ofdemos.)
Being “politically & socially aware” is a nice positive step.
I do hope that awareness in Gen Z brings sustainable activism toward systematic system change
from “money/digital algorithmic-driven” neoliberal capitalism & consumerism (& necessarily-connected militarism)
toward ecological justice and a dynamic homeostatic symbioses involving humans …
but also (connected) … less artificial growth (an attitude of “small is beautiful”, less worhip at the altars of engineering and technology and human-built environment and industrial agriculture [even that labeled “Organic” or “Meatless”] vs. real science, knowlege, wisdom, & prudence).
******************
Within the ethos, psyche, applied ecological values of ALL existing generations …
I desire a Real Hope of “Less Is More”, pacifism, communication & solidarity, and equity vs. Trumpian-types of “laissez-faire/morally-corrupt capitalistic/militaristic, socio-economically false hopes.
………………………
*https://www.kite.pub/sustainability/games-we-play/
**https://worldwidetune.com/generation-names-in-order?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw65-zBhBkEiwAjrqRME_vXNSr-R0oPXiGEl_FPZDxKZeFX36JLC82mtc03i5gjWhMNeul-RoC1rsQAvD_BwE
pbm ( 7 Ss / VV->^^ )
intelligent, open communication
humility in interacting with all species
avoid putting up walls, fences, borders
practice pacifism
blend as one
what might i BE if i were he or she or thee??????
rather than me?
(mightier than a Sequoiadendron giganteum redwood tree?)
………………
“of course not!!!” i sort of say with glee
… ’cause i wouldn’t be ME!
pbm ( 7 Ss /VV->^^ )
I do feel shame for the harm my Catholic Church … and other Christian churches have done over the millineum (over time) to indigenous peoples and people of other persuasions … to folk who supposedly “don’t fit the norm” in many & varied ways–with respect to the Bible, religious doctrine/dogma/teachings/–with respect to what major religious leaders believe … what God (what “HE!”) dictates.
Can I do MUCH about it??? Probably not. … Definitely not! … But despite the meme/saying of “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference,” I will still try to change the demos of the religion in which I was formed.
……………………..
I feel shame for the spread of neoliberal capitalism/conspicuous consumerism and associated imperialistic militarism from despicable policies & actions of the U.S.A.
Can I do much about it?? Probably not. … Definitely not in my lifetime! … But despite the meme/saying of “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference”, I will try to change this socio-ecologically destructive force of a nation we call the United States of America (and perhaps finally Make It Somewhat Great?).
……………………
I feel shame for MANY of the policies and actions of aggressively arrogant & intolerant Texans over its period as a republic and a state.
Can I do much about it? Probably not. … Definitely not in my lifetime! … But despite the meme/saying of “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference”, I will try to change this socio-ecologically destructive force of a state called Texas*. (*Home of the amazingly good citizen, Willie Nelson … and some other good ones.)
…………………….
I do feel shame about the fact that a significant number of my family and friends support Trump, his terrible policies, and his abhorrent actions.
Can I do much about it??? Probably not. … De facto, probably definitely not! … But despite the meme/saying of “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference”, I will try to get these family members & friends to see the light and change their mindsets and ethos … and thusly their lifestyles and socio-political/economic (ecological) actions.
……………………
I feel shame that I am estranged from dear & formerly close members of my immediate family.
Can I do much about it??? … De facto, probably not! … But I will continue to try reach out to these dear ones, and begin to effectively communicate toward a true love of each other.
…………………..
You get the idea!??!
I DO NOT consider myself to be a Dorothy Day, or Martin Luther King, Jr. or Jimmy Carter, or Nelson Mandela, or Mahatma Gandhi, or Berta Caceras Flores, or Jesus of Nazareth. But they are some of my major role models. And despite the meme/saying of “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference”, they tried very hard, smartly, and “relentlessly” to effect positively good socio-ecologically change toward a better Earth for all.
I too will continue to try.
pbm ( 7 Ss / VV->^^ )
no doubt i am NOT a learned/well-educated bright/intellectual
NOR a great communicator (but i do try)
……………………….
nevertheless, life for me (in the moment) is a play between …
o what we personally (& of course collectively) know to be SOCIO-ecologically right or wrong
o “natural” desires of the selfish flesh & mind, heart, and soul
o and social capital*** (in the broadest of sense) which we’ve acquired …
… all of influenced genetically, epigenetically, and environmentally/socio-ecologically …
… (and “i think???” i agree with the science of sapolsky)****
pbm ( 7 Ss / VV->^^ )*****
…………………………….
*Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/05/books/review/robin-wall-kimmerer-braiding-sweetgrass.html
**https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/09/books/review/Greenberg-t.html
***At the rate I spend the social capital afforded me by Mom, my formative village of Devine, Texas, and Land Grant Universities and various other lucky good-fortunes, … soon no one will be speaking ot me and no one will participate/attend my funeral. (I have already lost my oldest son and his family, and a few friends.) … But I guess this is this business of “God’s will” which I accept as the rolling of the dice of energy/matter interactions in the universe … some of it very positive, and some of it negative, from either my selfish or from a more holistic perspective.
****https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/16/science/free-will-sapolsky.html
*****See p. 55 & others for an interpretation of these symbols in https://www.kite.pub/sustainability/games-we-play/ .
