How the virus scare empowers Big Tech Oligarchs The global establishment has almost universally welcomed the inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to the presidency of a republic that is still the world’s largest economy. All the usual suspects rejoiced in the ousting of the much-reviled former President, Donald Trump. We may never know
⋯Filtered by environment
The Daily Motorist Mindset
The recent cold snap over much Western Europe with temperature lows not seen since infamous winter of 1963 has prompted Daily Mail columnists and their avid readers to deny any human effects on our eco-system. Yep, just because we are gripped by Arctic weather, does not mean 800 million motor vehicles and 6800 human beings
⋯environment
Reality Denial
When do we let our political judgements be swayed not by a rational analysis of the facts, but by self-interest, wishful thinking, superstition or just plain irrational prejudices? Whether rapid climate change is taking place and is caused by human activity is surely a matter of scientific analysis, on which I suppose you may hold
⋯environment, population
Blaming the Messenger
Spiked Online are at it again, jumping at the chance to blame common atrocities on the spectre of green fascists. To the likes of Frank Füredi and Brendan O’Neill a green fascist is anyone who doesn’t believe in their technocratic vision of unlimited human and material growth, if indeed they believe their own propaganda. More
⋯environment, human rights
Blair concedes Iraq Lies
Information Clearing House recently republished extracts from the late Robin Cook’s diaries, in which Blair concedes that Iraq could not strike the West or even nearby Israel with weapons of mass destruction. It also reveals how the initial scepticism of some New Labour Cabinet ministers in the run up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq
⋯environment, peak oil
A Numerical Paradox
If we want to strike a sensible balance between individual freedom, self-realisation, social cohesion, democracy and good community relations, we should be aware these noble aims can only coexist and thrive in optimal socio-environmental conditions that have stood the test of time. For too long we have worshipped the abstract world of economics rather than
⋯environment, population
Straight from the Horse's Mouth
“I am saddened that it is politically inconvenient to acknowledge what everyone knows: the Iraq war is largely about oil.” Alan Greenspan in his memoirs. Why did the US and UK invade Iraq? Theories abound, but here are the top four: To get rid of weapons of mass destruction. To overthrow an evil dictator and
⋯environment, peak oil
A Very Human Animal
What is in your genes and what is not? The nature versus nurture debate has long presented us with a false dichotomy as nurture, i.e socio-environmental influences, is very much part of nature. But many commentators have narrowed the definition of nature to refer only to genes, the mere blueprint or genotype that determines our
⋯environment, genetics
Scientific Orthodoxy and Scientific Fact
Open letter to George Monbiot I just read your recent piece (3 May 2007) on Alexander Cockburn’s anthropogenic climate change scepticism and his reliance on one scientist. Let me first state that broadly speaking I’m with you on this one. Irrespective of our exact scientific interpretation, it seems obvious that the exponential rise in humanity’s
⋯environment
Two add Two equals Five because Four is a Racist Number
Racism, or more correctly in most cases xenophobia, is matter of ethics. It seems fair to conclude that racism has no place in any caring society because nobody benefits from being victims of prejudice based on arbitrary ethnic distinctions. In the real world prejudice is a natural by-product of extreme variations in wealth, rampant materialism,
⋯environment, population
The Population Factor
“The modern plague of overpopulation is solvable by means we have discovered and with resources we possess. What is lacking is not the sufficient knowledge of the solution, but the universal consciousness of the gravity of the problem for billions of people who are its victims.”Martin Luther King quoyte on population Key Concepts The single
⋯environment, peak oil, population
Technocracy and Science
Science Study of the physical world and its manifestations through empirical observation of natural phenomena and monitoring of systematic experimentation. Technology the study, development, and application of devices, machines, and techniques for manufacturing and productive processes Technocracy Power based on the control of technology in which scientists, engineers and technicians useful to the ruling class
⋯environment, population
Empiricism and Idealism
Our species has evolved a curious form of opportunistic altruism, in short the notion that we benefit by caring for one another, while each individual strives insofar as possible to enhance his or her own social status, personal security, wealth and power. Thus much political debate concerns the dichotomy between the common good and individual
⋯communism, environment, peak oil