The Bridge at the Edge of the World

[Rajiv]

The Bridge at the Edge of the World
Capitalism, the Environment, and Crossing from Crisis to Sustainability

James Gustave Speth, Dean of the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, Yale University

Recorded April 2, 2008

Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes Yale Professor James Gustav Speth for a discussion of his career in the environmental movement. Professor Speth traces his changing perspective on the appropriate response to the environmental crisis. Concluding that only a radical transformation of capitalism will save the planet for future generations, he outlines the changes in consciousness and in the political agenda that will be required.

Video 54 min

Metalman -- a 5 min version for you!

or a 3 min version!

[metalman]

Re: The Bridge at the Edge of the World

prof speth is totally wrong. environment is better today. job losses to india are not the problem. blah, blah, blah. lefty bullshit from an academic with no accountability in public life.

[Rajiv]

Re: The Bridge at the Edge of the World

I think you were absent during the whole talk and didn't even look at the video when you make that comment!

Having lived throught the 50's, 60's. 70's 80's 90's and now the 00s I can assure you that the environment is not better than it was!

I did put the link for the 3 min video just for you! ;)

[metalman]

Re: The Bridge at the Edge of the World

I think you were absent during the whole talk and didn't even look at the video when you make that comment!

Having lived throught the 50's, 60's. 70's 80's 90's and now the 00s I can assure you that the environment is not better than it was!

I did put the link for the 3 min video just for you! ;)

tried to watch the videos... really, i did. but i kept nodding off because i don't see how this is new or how a yale prof changes policy, behavior, etc. just another voice in the wilderness.

now that last video is interesting because it's catchy and maybe good marketing as viral video. but the interview by the guy in the brown jacket, brown shirt and brown tie asking about the good prof's childhood... (hey, pal, the 1970s called. they want their suit back!) that's like mr magoo trying to sell abstinence to teenagers.

[Rajiv]

Re: The Bridge at the Edge of the World

tried to watch the videos... really, i did. but i kept nodding off because i don't see how this is new or how a yale prof changes policy, behavior, etc. just another voice in the wilderness.

I do sympathize (Honestly!) -- While going through the video I kept trying to visualize how I would have felt if I was in the actual physical audience!

But I do think the message about shifting from a growth economy to a sustainable economy is extremely important -- and the juxtaposition of planetary limits and infinite credit an extreme cause for concern.

[Guest]

Re: The Bridge at the Edge of the World

But I do think the message about shifting from a growth economy to a sustainable economy is extremely important -- and the juxtaposition of planetary limits and infinite credit an extreme cause for concern.

Can't we adopt the planetary limits but just elect to keep the infinite credit a little while longer? I kind of liked the sound of that "infinite credit". How about "earthbound limits" for that whole resources headache thingy and then we just quietly sneak in "an eight lane highway of intergalactic credit lines" into the fine print?

[marvenger]

Re: The Bridge at the Edge of the World

Rajiv, I enjoy and get a lot out of your posts and educational material. At first I thought you may have been a bit of a young radical like me, but now I know you're pretty old I'm doubly impressed.

In theory I totally agree with the sustainability arguement. The problem is most people are driven by wealth and prestige and this is what western society has absolutely entrenched as the definition of success. People try to achieve this quickly and have little regard for long term consequences, ie massive debt and peak cheap oil.

So there are great movements and technology and knowledge out there, such as permaculture, but because it doesn't buy you a 60" flat screen and a macmansion you can't afford, no one is interested.

How the hell do you get around that?

All too often it seems good people with intelligence invent new stuff in the hope that it will benefit humanity, but then your white shoed salesman comes along who can see the obvious benefit but can understand nothing beyond that and exploits the hell out of it. This guy gets powerful and the pattern continues.

I think I can see the day where solar energy is the currency and if you're poor you have to work and live in massive buildings covered in solar panels making lots of dumb shit for the rich and powerful who get to live outside and play polo or something.

Feeling a bit cynical today, but it seems to the human way. Maybe when all options are exhausted we'll all get along.

"History teaches us that men behave wisely once they have exhausted all their options" Abba Eban

[Rajiv]

Re: The Bridge at the Edge of the World

Ok a better snappier video

[Rajiv]

Re: The Bridge at the Edge of the World

Some more Speth

[reallife]

Re: The Bridge at the Edge of the World

.....So there are great movements and technology and knowledge out there, such as permaculture, but because it doesn't buy you a 60" flat screen and a macmansion you can't afford, no one is interested.

How the hell do you get around that?

....Feeling a bit cynical today, but it seems to the human way. Maybe when all options are exhausted we'll all get along.

"History teaches us that men behave wisely once they have exhausted all their options" Abba Eban

Not to worry... Soon, all the options will be exhausted and we will have the opportunity to see how the rest of us behave. My prediction is that people will behave badly. The powers that be, and this does not include you or anyone else on this forum, will respond by brute force and fascism. There are plenty of 'true believers' who will follow instructions of the elite. Some of the 'true believers' are regular posters on this site. I think we can all tell who I'm referring to. I'm speaking of Eric Hoffer's True Believers, of course. :eek: