I love your work and I can very much relate to your sentiments on this piece. What I keep reminding myself is this little “African Proverb” that I came across a few years back that goes something like this: If you think you’re too small to make a difference then you’ve never spent a night with a mosquito.
Respectfully, if you truly believe we’re all fucked, no matter what and hope is nothing more than an excuse to not take action, why haven’t you walked away from focusing on conservation issues? Why bother? Not that my opinion really matters, but please don’t stop. I’ve learned much from your work.
I don't know what to do anymore, tbh. Once I did, I know, I know I did, that much I do know...am I starting to sound like Donald Rumsfeld? There you go, Charlie - I checked on the spelling of his name (Rumsfeld) and found that he's dead, which has made me feel more positive, immediately! I've come to know that as a guy who was once intimately connected to technology, academia and even some national governments, it's nevertheless impossible to make big changes as an individual without a big, perfectly shaped wave behind you. What I do know, having given all that stuff up and now making little films, being as altruistic as is possible and taking one step at a time is more self affirming and hopeful. There's one thing greater than fear and it's hope!
I cannot argue with your points Charlie. Who can rise above personal self-interest? Are we searching for the "friendly" dictator (but surely the possibility of assassination would make that option unworkable) or is the vaunted second or first or whatever coming of a deity figure, to change the perceptions of self and also nationhood e.t.c.. Maybe we just need a big plague that really takes us all out.
I think it certain that there are some unsound people within your stated version of industry and market forces but, like it or not, MF represents us ALL through what we actually consume as opposed to what we say we’d like to (like getting on an aeroplane, as you mentioned). Government activity gets all the headlines but ultimately MF wins (and it can take a very long time to overcome the whims of e.g. dictatorships and multi-nationals … plus most people only do hard things when the alternatives run-out). I think that you can have hope: there is no possibility that electric cars, for example, could have become common without people in vast numbers demanding them (MF). Governments run along in front shouting, ‘we are in charge’ but, in the long term, that would be us - and so it seems probable to me that education is the best answer for guiding and adapting MF towards positivity (including education from campaigners and publications using field evidence photography) but it takes time and mistakes happen.
I find at the end of my talks sharing climate change stories people will comment about feeling uncomfortable or discomfort and my response is usually along the lines of “that’s healthy, it means you’re paying attention.” This is not a happy and joyous time. That doesn’t mean you can’t experience those emotions, but it does mean they’re harder to come by. I find it helps to turn the phone off and do as much as I can in the community I live in. World news is important on occasion, but a daily deluge is not helpful as we are usually helpless in (let’s use today as an example) changing a scotus decisions. But I can volunteer at my weekly compost drop off and beach clean up. Doesn’t give me hope per se but it does give me community which feels like a physical manifestation of that idea. Anyway, lots of thoughts. That Sarah Wilson piece really put it most eloquently.
I relate to your thoughts on bookending all stories with "hope" as an empty Band Aid that can lull and excuse us into inaction. But, I'm wired to look at humanity over millennia. Humanity has fucked itself up, and the planet, in the past - into extinction events. As a soul having a human experience, its native to me to have hope. Even in the face of all the fuckery in the world. I choose to look for the love and light wherever it appears. BTW - Loved, loved so many shots in Billy & Molly, soooo beautiful.
I love your work and I can very much relate to your sentiments on this piece. What I keep reminding myself is this little “African Proverb” that I came across a few years back that goes something like this: If you think you’re too small to make a difference then you’ve never spent a night with a mosquito.
that's a damn fine proverb!
Respectfully, if you truly believe we’re all fucked, no matter what and hope is nothing more than an excuse to not take action, why haven’t you walked away from focusing on conservation issues? Why bother? Not that my opinion really matters, but please don’t stop. I’ve learned much from your work.
Really very interesting! I agree what everything you say. 🍀
Really great philosophic piece. Can I repost your text (with your name) please?
Of course. Glad you liked it
I don't know what to do anymore, tbh. Once I did, I know, I know I did, that much I do know...am I starting to sound like Donald Rumsfeld? There you go, Charlie - I checked on the spelling of his name (Rumsfeld) and found that he's dead, which has made me feel more positive, immediately! I've come to know that as a guy who was once intimately connected to technology, academia and even some national governments, it's nevertheless impossible to make big changes as an individual without a big, perfectly shaped wave behind you. What I do know, having given all that stuff up and now making little films, being as altruistic as is possible and taking one step at a time is more self affirming and hopeful. There's one thing greater than fear and it's hope!
I cannot argue with your points Charlie. Who can rise above personal self-interest? Are we searching for the "friendly" dictator (but surely the possibility of assassination would make that option unworkable) or is the vaunted second or first or whatever coming of a deity figure, to change the perceptions of self and also nationhood e.t.c.. Maybe we just need a big plague that really takes us all out.
I think it certain that there are some unsound people within your stated version of industry and market forces but, like it or not, MF represents us ALL through what we actually consume as opposed to what we say we’d like to (like getting on an aeroplane, as you mentioned). Government activity gets all the headlines but ultimately MF wins (and it can take a very long time to overcome the whims of e.g. dictatorships and multi-nationals … plus most people only do hard things when the alternatives run-out). I think that you can have hope: there is no possibility that electric cars, for example, could have become common without people in vast numbers demanding them (MF). Governments run along in front shouting, ‘we are in charge’ but, in the long term, that would be us - and so it seems probable to me that education is the best answer for guiding and adapting MF towards positivity (including education from campaigners and publications using field evidence photography) but it takes time and mistakes happen.
I find at the end of my talks sharing climate change stories people will comment about feeling uncomfortable or discomfort and my response is usually along the lines of “that’s healthy, it means you’re paying attention.” This is not a happy and joyous time. That doesn’t mean you can’t experience those emotions, but it does mean they’re harder to come by. I find it helps to turn the phone off and do as much as I can in the community I live in. World news is important on occasion, but a daily deluge is not helpful as we are usually helpless in (let’s use today as an example) changing a scotus decisions. But I can volunteer at my weekly compost drop off and beach clean up. Doesn’t give me hope per se but it does give me community which feels like a physical manifestation of that idea. Anyway, lots of thoughts. That Sarah Wilson piece really put it most eloquently.
I relate to your thoughts on bookending all stories with "hope" as an empty Band Aid that can lull and excuse us into inaction. But, I'm wired to look at humanity over millennia. Humanity has fucked itself up, and the planet, in the past - into extinction events. As a soul having a human experience, its native to me to have hope. Even in the face of all the fuckery in the world. I choose to look for the love and light wherever it appears. BTW - Loved, loved so many shots in Billy & Molly, soooo beautiful.
Aww thanks. We all need some Billy and Molly as an antidote. That's why we made it like we did. Glad you liked it.