Taking Charge by Redefining the Terms of the Discussion

Hi Derek
Your post (from last year) I just had an opportunity to reread, and I was surprised I did not comment on it when I first saw it. I think you've done an excellent job of framing an overview of the conservationist's dilemma - that logically, it can't succeed- that something more is required as well as pointing toward some other options that might be more successful
One thing I'm always fascinated in is "political constraints" and I use that term in a general way because I haven't figured out a better one yet to more clearly define the totality of the concept. What I mean by it is how people allow themselves to be controlled by others in ways that suit the others agenda and not their own. One example is how we allow others to define the terms of a problem. Allowing those who have created a problem to then define it and come up with how WE must change to solve the problem is like allowing the fox to redesign the fence around the chicken coup. By allowing the fox to set the terms of the problem, he might just say, the problem is not so much that hens go missing, but that we have people instead of foxes designing the fence. So, let us discuss whether we should have red foxes or grey foxes design the next fence.
As you have so clearly pointed out, solving our challenges of imbalance will require going well beyond putting out a recycling box or even becoming activist in changing our local municipal policies around consumption, recycling and reuse etc. But that is how the problem has been framed: Only YOU can prevent global warming - and here's how you are going to do it... The hypocrisy of our very own government is there for all to see: they say conserve our water, for example, and come around door to door with free shower heads even, and then they open the door for mining, and oil companies to destroy entire water systems. We need to judge by actions not talk, and these actions demonstrate a complete lack of honesty around this issue. A lack of honesty due to political constraints - they need to preserve their agenda, to reinforce the way they have framed the crisis and thus the solution (that it is we, the average Joe who needs to buy more Green stuff to save the planet) We need to stop being so gullible and wake up to the fact that those who are managing THEIR agenda are doing so in an environment with a paucity of critical evaluation of the FRAMING of the discussion (which is not surprising since they own the media). Your post challenges status quo beautifully. You challenge the framing of the discussion and that is exactly what needs to happen (and is so easily missed by those who have been essentially brainwashed into accepting the terms of the discussion). Real solutions begin with this kind of questioning and dialogue. Notice this blog is all but dead. Why? Do people feel powerless? Regardless of what happens to this blog, there will be those who take up the torch, and "fight" for what I believe ultimately is going to be a battle for freedom. This battle may be one that is as much internal as external- in other words we have to strive to take our next step in personal/ human development and personal responsibility and get beyond our own dysfunctional behaviour. We need to (re?)discover how to get beyond our small selves and tap into a greater consciousness. A greater awareness is the weapon we will need to take onto any battlefield of the future. So, there's lots to do since this "battle" or self- work begins at home. Cheers.