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Re: Biotechnology, demons, and sustainability




I don't particularly buy the argument that the only to change 
society is to abstain from it wholeheartedly.  Scattered around North 
America are numerous communities (read communes) that have attempted to 
provide a way out of our often insane world.  They have for the most part 
failed in projecting a viable alternative.  This is partly the fault of 
their demonization by the main-stream idea manufacturers, and also partly 
their own fault due to the program that they have adhered to.

In my opinion, exploitation of people and planet, is the normal mode of 
operation mode.  There are numerous analyses for why this occurs, 
Capitalism, Patriarchy, Cultural-supremecy, Neo-colonialism, and many others.

The question then arises, how can we attempt to change this world and 
what are the tools that we must use? 

Many individuals see the world falling apart around them and then figure 
the only thing we can do is change ourselves, modify our livestyles, go 
green, go organic, be vegetarian/vegan.  These are not not necessarily 
bad ideas, however they tend to be very individualistic in approach.  The 
ethos of self-change and self-consiousness is an important component if 
we are to ever consider a sustainable future but something else is 
require in my estimation.  I guess it requires politics; real grassroots, 
rank-and-file movements from which we can generalize struggles.  For 
example the struggle against racism and the oppresion of the third world 
is central to the development of sustainable agro-ecosystems.   

In a period where there does not appear to me any cohesive political 
movement; where liberals and lefties feel demoralized,  the politics of 
lifestyle become very appealing as it is an warm and environmentally 
sensitive rug to hide under.  I guess this is where we often seem to be.  

As for the banality of Monsanto's evil:

Someone mentioned a encounter with a cashier selling gosling feather 
products and the ethical pitfall that sort of employment leads us to.   This in a way 
sort of leads back to my first statement concerning the exploitation upon 
which our society is founded.  I don't think it is quite so easy to say 
to this cashier "come work on my permaculture farm and avoid exploitation"

I offer this example:

My father is an autoworker at Chrysler Canada.  Due to his trade he helps 
produce perhaps the most destructive device on the planet, the 
car.  He however is a good person with a concern for the 
environment and the rights of working people.     
 
Our modes of employment and our ethical standards often collide with each 
other.  It generally is a priveledge few that are lucky enough to be able 
to combine ethics with work.  This priveledge was not available to my 
father who came from a poor working-class background in Northern England.
Is the permaculture option open for him?  Probably not as a full-time 
career.  Yet this doesn't mean that he can't help to change things.

Just a few friendly points..

Anyways methink I ramble on too much..

thanks




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