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baby einstein
December 2008 
What is an Environmentalist?
Posted on Mar 13th, 2007
by 
indubitablymeibe
indubitablymeibe
Last night someone asked me if I was an environmentalist while we were discussing vegetarianism and eating healthy in general. I quickly answered I was without even thinking about it, after all, I am an environmentalist. The question was asked after I had mentioned a figure about how much water it takes to produce one pound of meat (anywhere from 2,500 to 5,500 gallons) compared to one pound of wheat (25-50 gallons). The thing that has got me thinking about that question is why do we have to be called an environmentalist at all?
Are Aborigines and tribal members from across the world that live in harmony with the natural world around them called environmentalists? Certainly not, they could be I suppose but you never hear that label put on them. So why is it that in most of the modernized world we live in, someone who consciously lives their lives and shows respect for their surroundings is called an environmentalist?
Can you be sort of an environmentalist? If you recycle, compost, reuse things, and don't drive often but still eat meat are you an environmentalist? How about if the reverse is true, you are a vegetarian but you don't recycle, compost, reuse things and you drive a lot, can you still be an environmentalist? My point is this, I am not against the label of being an environmentalist by any means, I just don't think it represents or dignifies exactly what those out there living their lives with respect, appreciation, gratitude, and honor for all living beings (including mother earth) are doing. The term is to loose fitting, and sadly it also has something of a negative connotation associated with it.
Life isn't easy, it isn't meant to be, and another thing, nobody is perfect. We have these tendencies in todays world to label others, to pass the blame, and to generally not take ownership for our own actions. On top of that a lot of people look at the world and see a big scary place that they have no control over, then to take matters out of their own hands I hear people say, "I just don't see what difference it makes if I change, I'm only one person." We need to instill more optimism in this world. There needs to be more people out there who are willing to lead by example and to unite to make a difference today, for all of humanity tomorrow.
There is a wonderful quote by Margaret Mead that directly reflects what I am talking about in regards to individuals not wanting to change or thinking that they are too insignificant to change anything in the world, she says:
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
So, reflecting on the topic of this writing, what is an environmentalist? I really cannot adequately describe that, what I would like to think is that everyone is an environmentalist to some degree and that over time (I trust sooner than later) that that degree rises to a nice and happy level, one where we can all smile at the living world around us and see everyone doing their part in honoring, respecting, and contributing to this magnificent thing we call life.
Well, those are my thoughts on that subject for the day, hopefully you find something in their that you can relate to and it helps inspire you to think even more about your own role in this play we call life. Just do me a favor, whatever you decide to do, make sure you are having as much fun as possible doing it. We need more fun and enjoyment in this world...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I thought I would mention something else that I found rather amusing from last night, I was at my friend Ryan Sullivan's house, him and his wife have a nine month old baby named Cohen. I had asked if they had the Baby Mozart video and he said he did, I was inquiring about what it was like and instead of trying to describe it we decided to watch it, so at around 1:00a.m. the two of us were watching Baby Mozart together, I was soon in a trance. For those of you who do not know what these are they come from a company called Baby Einstein and they are for baby's and toddlers.
I don't know what to think of this video, it was beautiful and truly spellbinding in it's simplicity. Ryan was saying that Cohen does not take his eyes off of the screen while it is on, he said that Cohen could be wailing at the top of his lungs and they can put this video on and he is instantly soothed and captivated. He also said it is great for him and his wife if they just need a half hour to cool down themselves and take a break from the wonderful world of parenthood, they just pop in Baby Mozart.
We watched the video from front to back, it is 25 minutes in length, I'm not going to say it is some kind of mystical experience or anything, but almost. Seriously though, I think for the most part this is a good company and a very clever product line. I hope that these videos prove to be more positive than negative in the long run, I think they will.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A couple of more pieces of information I would like to share with you, one is a website called Conscious Planet, I have fellow zaadzster (and fellow Vision Force Boot Camper) Jordan Tal to thank for this, he shared this recommendation with me and now I want to share it with you. The website's name really sums it up, in fact, now that I think about it, going back to the theme of this blog, being called a "conscious person" as supposed to an "environmentalist" sounds mighty fine to me. Anyways, this site is growing and is much like zaadz in a way so please check it out, get involved, and share it with others by all means.
The last piece of information I would like to share with you is an article titled: Norwegian Firm Raises $25 Million for New Electric Car, it is another spot of bright news in this world that is steadily growing more light. It appears that Norway is getting ready to produce some great new electric cars over the next couple of years and they have high expectations for the demand and supply (and the power of the batteries) to raise exponentially over those years. I think there really could be something to these electric cars, I know I wouldn't mind cruising around in one.
Well good ladies and gentlemen, I wish you well and send all the vibrant love I can through this electronic world wide web, may your days be filled with joy and laughter and your nights with pleasant dreams.
Namaste,
Joseph
Are Aborigines and tribal members from across the world that live in harmony with the natural world around them called environmentalists? Certainly not, they could be I suppose but you never hear that label put on them. So why is it that in most of the modernized world we live in, someone who consciously lives their lives and shows respect for their surroundings is called an environmentalist?
Can you be sort of an environmentalist? If you recycle, compost, reuse things, and don't drive often but still eat meat are you an environmentalist? How about if the reverse is true, you are a vegetarian but you don't recycle, compost, reuse things and you drive a lot, can you still be an environmentalist? My point is this, I am not against the label of being an environmentalist by any means, I just don't think it represents or dignifies exactly what those out there living their lives with respect, appreciation, gratitude, and honor for all living beings (including mother earth) are doing. The term is to loose fitting, and sadly it also has something of a negative connotation associated with it.
Life isn't easy, it isn't meant to be, and another thing, nobody is perfect. We have these tendencies in todays world to label others, to pass the blame, and to generally not take ownership for our own actions. On top of that a lot of people look at the world and see a big scary place that they have no control over, then to take matters out of their own hands I hear people say, "I just don't see what difference it makes if I change, I'm only one person." We need to instill more optimism in this world. There needs to be more people out there who are willing to lead by example and to unite to make a difference today, for all of humanity tomorrow.
There is a wonderful quote by Margaret Mead that directly reflects what I am talking about in regards to individuals not wanting to change or thinking that they are too insignificant to change anything in the world, she says:
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
So, reflecting on the topic of this writing, what is an environmentalist? I really cannot adequately describe that, what I would like to think is that everyone is an environmentalist to some degree and that over time (I trust sooner than later) that that degree rises to a nice and happy level, one where we can all smile at the living world around us and see everyone doing their part in honoring, respecting, and contributing to this magnificent thing we call life.
Well, those are my thoughts on that subject for the day, hopefully you find something in their that you can relate to and it helps inspire you to think even more about your own role in this play we call life. Just do me a favor, whatever you decide to do, make sure you are having as much fun as possible doing it. We need more fun and enjoyment in this world...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I thought I would mention something else that I found rather amusing from last night, I was at my friend Ryan Sullivan's house, him and his wife have a nine month old baby named Cohen. I had asked if they had the Baby Mozart video and he said he did, I was inquiring about what it was like and instead of trying to describe it we decided to watch it, so at around 1:00a.m. the two of us were watching Baby Mozart together, I was soon in a trance. For those of you who do not know what these are they come from a company called Baby Einstein and they are for baby's and toddlers.
I don't know what to think of this video, it was beautiful and truly spellbinding in it's simplicity. Ryan was saying that Cohen does not take his eyes off of the screen while it is on, he said that Cohen could be wailing at the top of his lungs and they can put this video on and he is instantly soothed and captivated. He also said it is great for him and his wife if they just need a half hour to cool down themselves and take a break from the wonderful world of parenthood, they just pop in Baby Mozart.
We watched the video from front to back, it is 25 minutes in length, I'm not going to say it is some kind of mystical experience or anything, but almost. Seriously though, I think for the most part this is a good company and a very clever product line. I hope that these videos prove to be more positive than negative in the long run, I think they will.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A couple of more pieces of information I would like to share with you, one is a website called Conscious Planet, I have fellow zaadzster (and fellow Vision Force Boot Camper) Jordan Tal to thank for this, he shared this recommendation with me and now I want to share it with you. The website's name really sums it up, in fact, now that I think about it, going back to the theme of this blog, being called a "conscious person" as supposed to an "environmentalist" sounds mighty fine to me. Anyways, this site is growing and is much like zaadz in a way so please check it out, get involved, and share it with others by all means.
The last piece of information I would like to share with you is an article titled: Norwegian Firm Raises $25 Million for New Electric Car, it is another spot of bright news in this world that is steadily growing more light. It appears that Norway is getting ready to produce some great new electric cars over the next couple of years and they have high expectations for the demand and supply (and the power of the batteries) to raise exponentially over those years. I think there really could be something to these electric cars, I know I wouldn't mind cruising around in one.
Well good ladies and gentlemen, I wish you well and send all the vibrant love I can through this electronic world wide web, may your days be filled with joy and laughter and your nights with pleasant dreams.
Namaste,
Joseph
Access: PublicTagged with: environmentalist, conscioius living, life, love, happiness, electric car, Baby Einstein, Vision Force Boot Camp, yes
Excellent post! I enjoyed your thoughts about environmentalism; I feel, in general, much the same way. I tend to avoid taking on any sort of 'ism' at all; to me, making an ideology out of a of practice or personal lifestyle choice can lead as frequently to divisiveness as it can solidarity. It's a fine line; I'm very much about promoting an environmentalist cause and working to do all I can to live with a small ecological footprint, but I would hate to be considered dogmatic or preachy about it.
It's a conversation I've had about vegetarianism, too. I think that the black and white categorizing can really get in the way of people altering their diet: being a vegetarian equates to never eating meat again, and because many people can't conceive of something this extreme, they'll just decide they're not vegetarian. How much more effective the vegetarian cause would be if they could just encourage people to cut down of meat, or to eat it only a few times a week?
There's much to consider.
I'm curious, though, about the 'negative label'! To me, the term 'environmentalist' and 'green' are really gaining mainstream favor; people would prefer to be thought of as environmentally responsible and promoting a product as ecologically sound is a strong point. I can imagine that overly vehement environmental activists might have a bit of a
bad name, but environmentalists as a whole are a different story.
Then again, I live in California; my perception could be a bit off. :)
Thank you again, though, for the great post.
I'm glad you enjoyed it Siona,
Perhaps I was a bit over the top about the negative viewpoint or connotations, as far as environmentalists go, you are very right that 'environmentalist' and 'green' have gotten great publicity as of late and it even seems that it is becoming more than just a trend, people are gaining awareness and through that they are becoming more responsible human beings.
also dig your idea about vegetarianism; the black and white stigma that some vegetarians and vegans put out can be a little over dramatic and even self righteous at times. I think encouraging people to eat less meat per week and to cut down their meat habits in general is a great step in the right direction. Thank you for your comments and perspective on the topic, I appreciate it greatly.