Category Archives: thinking out loud

The plot escapes me, but the wraith of memory remains

In the New York Times Book Review, novelist James Collins admits an embarrassing secret. I have just realized something terrible about myself: I don’t remember the books I read… Nor do I think I am the only one with this problem. Certainly, there are those who can read a book once and retain everything thatContinue reading “The plot escapes me, but the wraith of memory remains”

Our children, messengers

Surely the most beautiful quote ever seen in a parenting book: …someday we will regard our children not as creatures to manipulate or to change but rather as messengers from a world we have long since forgotten, who can reveal to us more about the true secrets of life, and also our own lives, thanContinue reading “Our children, messengers”

Plan Z: preparing for the mega-catastrophe

This week our nation's most influential newspaper ran a thoughtful, tough-minded op-ed on what to do about climate change that broke a lot of new ground…and seems to been overlooked. I haven't linked previously, because I'm still mulling its ideas. But the time has come to recommend it to my readers. It's called Disaster atContinue reading “Plan Z: preparing for the mega-catastrophe”

The darkness of our time

Last year at the Ojai Foundation, Joanna Macy in a talk explored an idea that at a glance seems so simple — obvi, if you will — but which has nonetheless refused to leave my mind. The darkness of our time squeezes us into an awareness of our love for the world.  It's tempting toContinue reading “The darkness of our time”

Vanishing weather, vanishing species

Fascinating quote from modern-day wit Douglas Coupland (inventor of the phrase "McJob"): "The modern world is devoted to vanishing species, vanishing weather and vanishing capacity for wonder." From his latest novel, The Gum Thief. I think this perception is true. But how does one make inquiry into such a trade? Have to admire the creatorContinue reading “Vanishing weather, vanishing species”

California spurred to change by Gulf oil spill; Californians, not so much

Fascinating duo of stories in today's papers. In the Los Angeles Times, news that the Governor and the California Legislature are moving into high gear on an ambitious renewable energy standard, supported (yes!) by major utilities. In the words of our Gov: "One needs only to look to the Gulf of Mexico and the tragedyContinue reading “California spurred to change by Gulf oil spill; Californians, not so much”

The Environment: Not what is, but what is experienced

Language is not always fossil poetry, no matter what Ralph Waldo Emerson says. Sometimes a word is just a catchall for what we cannot better express; "a place-holder," as they say in drama. For example: "environmental." This is a word I think even more hated within the movement than without. So it's worth noting when aContinue reading “The Environment: Not what is, but what is experienced”

Once they denied relativity; now they deny climate change

The "crackpots," that is. That's according to physicist Joergen van Dongen, in a fascinating paper for the Institute for History and the Foundation of Science, published last fall, available through ScienceDirect. It's  called "On Einstein's opponents, and other crackpots." The paper begins with a quote from Einstein that sounds almost as if he could beContinue reading “Once they denied relativity; now they deny climate change”

I believe in the future: Charles Bowden

Orion magazine recently named Some of the Dead are Still Breathing, by Charles Bowden, its enviro book of the year.  The commendation's mention of the risks Bowden ventured motivated me to pick it up. Haven't gotten far, but I'm impressed by its almost recklessly free style. Here's a memorable passage from early on:  My beliefsContinue reading “I believe in the future: Charles Bowden”