[7costanza]

I agree with your second post, but i think it's too late for change.

You're right, the more we put on the table, the less there is somewhere else. most people don't realize that and it truly is a problem much greater than we can comprehend. We are immersed in a consuming machine. It's choking out proper morals while propagating superficial morals (watch the bush gov't). The things we work/live for are leaving no room for a real connection to the planet that literally feeds us and purpose is going out the window.

i think we (our culture) is starting (ending?) something that will cause lasting damage to the planet that supports (for all we know) the only LIFE in the whole of the universe, existence, everything.

so what do we do about it?

you said 'go back to simple living'. it's a great idea but here's the problem.
it is in our nature to excel. to be the absolute best, to survive the longest, to pass our dna down to a new generation. THAT is the definition of life. we've already come so far there is no way to go back. who would allow it? who, in their right mind, is going to turn in their queen sized bed in a heated home for an igloo and the chance to hunt a deer with a knife. it's too late for willful change. Earth will take care of us one way or another. I only wish i could be around to know what happens next.

edit:
i keep changing my mind about this. maybe it isnt too late for us, maybe we just need to reduce the population to a more manageable size in order to educate and change the direction we're heading in. maybe it isn't as hard as i think.

"There is absolutely no inevitability as long as there is a willingness to contemplate what is happening." --Marshall McLuhan.

damn, i think i should take a philosophy minor...