"How much 'ego' do you need? Just enough so that you don' step in front of a bus."
Shunryu Suzuki 1904-1971
Japanese Zen Monk

Added on edit - I have said of late that any person running for public office should be able to define the ego. If they cannot they are not eligible. i like Eckhardt Tolle's definition - the ego is that part of your mind that allows you to believe you are separate from others. Another good definition I have heard is that ego is the 'original sin.' Understanding this would allow for better relationships between people and as important our environment.

"The tyranny of a prince in an oligarchy is not so dangerous to the public welfare as the apathy of a citizen in a democracy.” by the French philosopher Montesquieu 1748:

Where is the outrage. I met a contractor on a construction site Thursday and we spoke politics. He knows my stance and says I bring facts to the table. I told him we are loosing our democracy and becoming a fascist state. Not even a shrug with continued smile. He stated that Dems blew the impeachment. I asked how and he tells me by not allowing any reThugs in the room when witnesses were questioned. Whoa really. I tell him that is patently false, and where did he hear that - he say he watched the hearings. Unlikely I said. He accepts what I say but there is no concern at all. How true this is, multiplied by millions.

Since about yesterday, I have noted a long Facebook 'like' tab at the bottom of each post.. Is this new, and if so, why should Facebook be given such attention?

In the scheme of things today this may be trivial, however I have never been a fan of facebook (or joined) and generally believe it has not been good for society, although I appreciate it has helped many people in small businesses and families stay in touch.

Found this on Twitter: Posted by a teacher in Paris named Ben See.
Source web site is ecological-emergency.org

1. Global crop failures hit at 1.5- 2°C.
2. Billions die at 3°C.
3. Most humans dead at 4°C.
4. Earth uninhabitable at 6°C.
5. We're heading for 1.5°C by 2025.
6. We're heading for 2°C by 2035.
7. We're heading for 4- 6°C by 2075.

And this morning in the Washington Post an article on whether the tipping point has been reached in the Amazon.

We humans may be an 'intelligent' species but we as a whole are a stupid lot at times. Where is our Leadership?

I posted this yesterday in the General Discussion Group and it was suggested I cross post here for checking. As a civil environmental engineer with an undergraduate degree in civil-environmental engineering and a masters degree in environmental engineering and decades of experience (many on the design and construction of municipal water pollution control plants or mathematical modelling of natural systems), I do find these numbers realistic and compelling. I do not know why they are not being shouted from the rooftops. Also, just personal observations of the changes in our environment over the last several decades give me pause. I made a point of visiting coral reefs in 2012 because I do believe no matter what we do at this point they will not be with us in 2050. Most just do not recognize what that loss will mean to the planet.

Found this on Twitter: Posted by a teacher in Paris named Ben See.
Source web site is ecological-emergency.org


1. Global crop failures hit at 1.5- 2°C.
2. Billions die at 3°C.
3. Most humans dead at 4°C.
4. Earth uninhabitable at 6°C.
5. We're heading for 1.5°C by 2025.
6. We're heading for 2°C by 2035.
7. We're heading for 4- 6°C by 2075.

And this morning in the Washington Post an article on whether the tipping point has been reached in the Amazon.

We humans may be an 'intelligent' species but we as a whole are a stupid lot at times. Where is our Leadership?

Americans.

It is hard to get this point across in a 30 second sound bite, especially with our corporate media. I got this link from my friend the philosophy gardener. A good read.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/25/medicare-for-all-taxes-saez-zucman?CMP=Share iOSApp Other

"Ignorance leads to fear, fear leads to hate, and hate leads to violence. This is the equation."

Ibn Rushd (1126-1198)
Muslim Philosopher

I recognized the truth immediately, yet I was surprised by the source and the time.

Reading of species extinction, climate change, plastic waste in the oceans I recall a Quote of the Day I read recently.

"Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely a strand i it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself."
Chief Seattle (1786-1866)

How ignorant we are as a species.

Yesterday, the local gardener told me that the US has been at war for 222 years out of its 239 year history. I always knew we had a wartime economy, but this figure shook me. It needs IMO more play. We divert entirely too much 'capital' to war efforts. This also IMO benefits the corporations over the individual. Beware the military industrial complex.

Not sure how many DU's watch the show :Alex Ruins Everything" but I saw an episode recently on air travel. Not a pretty picture, especially after deregulation of the airlines by the FAA with a push from Ralph Nader. It lead to a demise of regional airports and an increase in hubs as well as a reduction in the number of airlines. Surprise, the free market does not always work as many costs are not factored into the equation properly. Use of dirigibles (much safer today) could be an answer to medium distance travel and have a much lower cost in terms of infrastructure investment needed. I tink I might enjoy such a trip.