Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Radical Thinking


Corporations and politicians are fond of telling us that “Children are the Future.” They’re not: they’re the present. (Look down, or check in front of the TV.) The future is a little bit more abstract than that. It will be populated by our children’s grandchildren and their children and grandchildren and very few people are asking us to think about them, least of all politicians and corporations.

One organization that actually is dedicated to this sort of long-term thinking is the Long Now Foundation, described here by Michael Chabon. Although trying to project an arc for the next 10,000 years is probably a bit heady for most, it’s good to know that someone’s doing it. For me, just getting people to think a couple of generations ahead is radical enough.


This sign measures about twelve feet across and was placed over the eastbound lanes of the Santa Monica Freeway between La Brea and Crenshaw at 1:00 p.m. yesterday and was still up four hours later. Let me know if you see it.

5 comments:

Unknown said...

I like the sign a lot, Scarlet.

I have been trying to think of a short sign that says “It’s good to take care of others”, or, “What’s so funny about peace, love and understanding?”. We've been governed by people whose message is often speaking to our fears of having others get what we should have. Of "it's mine and we shouldn't help people in need"(that they are somehow bad and undeserving), and the like. It's the selfishness of one group's way of thinking.

Platitudes like "love your brother" or sayings that are tired won't get people thinking. I believe Obama is raising our mass thought to include more about caring for others. It's one reason I am so happy he is President. I'd like to help get the message out there, in my own small way.

Coleen Rowley said...

Speaking of dancing at weddings, have you all seen this recent creative one in St. Paul, Minnesota? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-94JhLEiN0

If we want to be the hip Grandmas and Grandpas of the bride or groom doing something like this, we not only need to save the planet but people like me who can't dance that good got to start practicing now.

Anonymous said...

>Although trying to project an arc for the next 10,000 years is probably a bit heady for most, it’s good to know that someone’s doing it.

Bartkid sez,
Hey, look, that pile of radioactive waste is now only half as radioactive.

Unknown said...

Thanks for posting, Scarlet! I would like to share on my Facebook page. Anyway to do that? peace

Freewayblogger said...

Click on the pic, then click on the "save" icon.