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The Forum > Article Comments > Living in the future > Comments

Living in the future : Comments

By John Töns, published 20/5/2008

Ever wondered what went through the minds of the Easter Islanders as the last tree was cut down?

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Fractelle - Thanks for your kind words. - Eric
Posted by ericc, Tuesday, 27 May 2008 10:03:14 PM
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Ericc, I’m not advocating socialism, as per China. I’m suggesting that a democratic government with a considerably stronger social focus, as compared to an economic or big-business-pandering focus, is what we need. In other words, just a much stronger government of the sort that we have, that actually upholds its basic duty of care to the community, both now and well into the future.

This entails things that you suggest, such as changing our tax system to encourage recycling and the development of renewable energy sources, and generally controlling the business sector, or the profit motive, a whole lot better.

I’m sure there will be a change in the business community, even if our government continues on its current path. But it will only go so far, with large sections still chasing short-term profit and not worrying about the consequences.

“I don’t think big business is any less enlightened than the man in the street.”

No less enlightened, but handicapped by their primary motive of ever-bigger profits for their bigknobs and shareholders.

“The average voter, radio call back caller and internet poster has to take responsibility…”

Absolutely. And they are. Concerns about sustainability, high immigration, oil, water, etc are being voiced more and more. In fact, the message that I’m reading and hearing on OLO, in letters to the editor, and on talk-back radio is by and large similar to our concerns….and at stark odds with the direction that our government is taking us in.

A more socialistic government would for me be one that hears this message from the average person and acts accordingly instead of running with the strongly vested-interest business sector.
Posted by Ludwig, Tuesday, 27 May 2008 11:05:40 PM
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Challenging ideas Ludwig.

However, have you not wondered why those (prolific posters) that you have challenged have not engaged in the OLO link you have given?
Posted by Q&A, Tuesday, 27 May 2008 11:26:06 PM
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Col:
"I have no desire to deprive my children of a good life and will hopefully leave them with innovations which improve their life quality and recycle and preserve resources, which were not available to me or my parents but I also know my children will take up thier role in the world with the same desire and energy to face the challenge and contribute to humanity’s common constraints and one way of doing that is to be free and responsible for the numbers of children they have (just as their dad has been)."

Nope, I won't say it.
Posted by Q&A, Tuesday, 27 May 2008 11:39:24 PM
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Nor me.
Posted by dickie, Tuesday, 27 May 2008 11:55:45 PM
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Ericc “I think a socialist-style government would be a giant step backward.”

Lenin’s words were “communism is the goal of socialism” and even with the most benevolent “socialist” you build up the structures which facilitate the corruption called communism and if you want to see non-sustainable government, look at what happened around the Aral sea to see “environmental degradation" at its worst.

My view to reducing government consumption is simple, make government smaller.

Anyone who thinks adding a bureaucrat to the supply chain makes anything more efficient, effective or sustainable has to first explain who makes the savings needed to feed the bureaucrat.

Ludwig.. I see your thread – I will look maybe contribute there directly later cheers

I can see three truths which needed to be adopted before anyone can suggest a solution to sustainability

1 population numbers are the primary driver

2 individual innovation, in terms of energy sources, recycling, personal lifestyle choices, combined with the reduced demand of fewer people with improve sustainability

3 governments of any hue or persuasion will not improve sustainable living in any way what so ever. All government does is regulate the freedoms and choices of the people who elect them to act, supposedly in their best interests. Anything else is dictatorship and a horror.

Q&A “Nope, I won't say it.”

Good, then we will not be bewildered by its asinine irrelevance

Still waiting for your quotes to my misguided statements or have they become just another fraudulent claim by Q&A

Dickie “Nor me.”

Ahhh, that is 'me', short for “mini me”

Can you list where I have supported cartels dickie or are you still dumb struck as well as being a movie dwarf?
Posted by Col Rouge, Wednesday, 28 May 2008 7:42:08 AM
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