I couldn't help it. I had to put this on here.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Freud
Sigmund Freud got it all wrong. There are only two things on a man's mind.
1. Hunting season
2. Getting ready for hunting season.
Ask anyone
1. Hunting season
2. Getting ready for hunting season.
Ask anyone
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
The Tragedy of the Commons
If you are a Weber State student pursuing your bachelor degree you are required to take a class called Environment Appreciation. This class is all about stirring the pot. It focuses on the American view (or better the western view) of the world and of society, and its pursuit on destroying the world one parcel at a time--as I have interpreted from my instructor. The instructor will outline and then challenge our beliefs and values at their unequivocal core. For example, we spent about half a class period talking about "Paul Bunion and Babe the Blue Ox," and how it was a story designed to condition our adolescent minds towards the value of development and progression and how you cannot stop development. With some fore sight not given in the story, eventually there will be nowhere left to develop and our population has reached its maximum. I personally get a kick out of it, but there is not a class that goes by where one of the students doesn't STAND UP in protest of the information presented. The instructor challenges the basic understanding of the world as whole, if we have any at all.
For our first paper, we are required to read a short essay called "Tragedy of the Commons," written by Garrett Hardin, circa 1968, and give a completely objective review. We are not allowed to editorialize any points he makes or subject he discusses. This makes the task extremely difficult. It has long been revered as a focal critique in the environmentalist movement, and I thought, if you are interested, of presenting you an excerpt from this paper; giving you the chance to read it and possibly give me some feedback as to your opinion. I am curious what others think when presented with this material.
THE TRAGEDY OF THE COMMONS
GARRETT HARDIN (1968)
"...Population tends to grow geometrically, or as we now say exponentially... In a finite world this means that the per-ca pita share of the world's good must decrease...space is no escape... A finite world can only support a finite population; therefore, population growth must eventually equal zero... However, given an infinite amount of energy, population growth still produces and inescapable problem...."
That is part one, this is part two.
"...the rational herdsman concludes that the only sensible course for him to pursue is to add another animal to his herd; and another.... But this is the conclusion reached by each and every rational herdsman sharing the commons. Therein is the tragedy. Each man is locked into a system that compels him to increase his herd without limit -- in a world that is limited. To ruin is the destination toward which all men rush, each pursuing his own best interest in a society that believes in the freedom of the commons. Freedom in commons brings ruin to all. Some would say this is platitude...it was learned thousands of years ago, but natural selection favors the forces of psychological denial. The individual benefits as an individual from his ability to deny the truth even though society as a whole, of which he is part of, suffers...."
Okay, that's it. I took out a lot of the mumbo jumbo to try and make it easier to read. This is probably the hardest paper I've ever read.
For our first paper, we are required to read a short essay called "Tragedy of the Commons," written by Garrett Hardin, circa 1968, and give a completely objective review. We are not allowed to editorialize any points he makes or subject he discusses. This makes the task extremely difficult. It has long been revered as a focal critique in the environmentalist movement, and I thought, if you are interested, of presenting you an excerpt from this paper; giving you the chance to read it and possibly give me some feedback as to your opinion. I am curious what others think when presented with this material.
THE TRAGEDY OF THE COMMONS
GARRETT HARDIN (1968)
"...Population tends to grow geometrically, or as we now say exponentially... In a finite world this means that the per-ca pita share of the world's good must decrease...space is no escape... A finite world can only support a finite population; therefore, population growth must eventually equal zero... However, given an infinite amount of energy, population growth still produces and inescapable problem...."
That is part one, this is part two.
"...the rational herdsman concludes that the only sensible course for him to pursue is to add another animal to his herd; and another.... But this is the conclusion reached by each and every rational herdsman sharing the commons. Therein is the tragedy. Each man is locked into a system that compels him to increase his herd without limit -- in a world that is limited. To ruin is the destination toward which all men rush, each pursuing his own best interest in a society that believes in the freedom of the commons. Freedom in commons brings ruin to all. Some would say this is platitude...it was learned thousands of years ago, but natural selection favors the forces of psychological denial. The individual benefits as an individual from his ability to deny the truth even though society as a whole, of which he is part of, suffers...."
Okay, that's it. I took out a lot of the mumbo jumbo to try and make it easier to read. This is probably the hardest paper I've ever read.
Thoughts by Jack Handy-- "As I sat at a stop light watching it turn from red to green, to yellow, and back to red, I thought to my self, 'Is this world just a bunch of honking and yelling.'"
Thoughts from somewhere-- When life throws you lemons, find someone who's life is throwing them tequila and have a party.
Thoughts from somewhere-- When life throws you lemons, find someone who's life is throwing them tequila and have a party.
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