<nettime> Next Nature

[Christian Swertz via nettime-l <nettime-l@lists.nettime.org>]

Hi Paul,
> I'm curious about whether you're making a theoretical or practical point.

Both. It's easy in theory and in practice. Well - not really in all 
respects. But in many cases.

> You also point out that realistically, since we have so little (none?) influence being merely single organisms in this "super organism" that all humans form collectively.

Actually, my point was that it is not possible since some people believe 
that we are part of a super organism.

> ally, while Rome burns, as it were.  An impasse is sketched, where doom is inevitable and our only influence is over us and ours.

Nothing against apocalyptic visions - great genre. But I can act. And I 
try to do what's possible: No airplanes, no beef, no vehicles with 
combustion engines for example. Sometimes it's challenging, sometimes 
it's relaxing. But doable in many many cases.

> Perhaps that's something to just try and make peace with.  It leaves me feeling like i'm missing something, though.  This might stem from my received western-ish capitalist-ish worldviews where everything can be done with enough technology/goodwill/idealism (s trike through as appropriate), which is of course a fairy tale.

For me, that's not a fairy tale. I do it. I don't mind if this is called 
idealism, goodwill, believe, technofetishism or whatever. I consider 
acting as important. And that means immediate action. Personally. Not 
waiting for technology, the universe, Gaia, a god, the market or 
whatever. And as far as I see, most other people could act too - and 
many do. No need for discussions or accusations. Just stop eating meet. 
Easy as pie. Stop using air planes. Very easy. No new digital devices. 
Easy. Stop using vehicles with combustion engines. Maybe a bit more 
difficult - but not in cities for example, where most people live. But 
you would not believe how many people come up with excuses for using 
vehicles with combustion engines - and what kind of excuses they offer. 
But well - I am also behaving immorally too often. Let's just try to do 
as good as we can. If we all do, it will do.

Best,

Christian

--
Liebe Grüße,

Christian Swertz
http://www.swertz.at
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