The last final chapters of this text, bring everything full circle. Ishmael starts by asking the narrator to define culture, and we are able to see the differences between leaver and taker culture. We see that the leavers evolve just like other organisms and pass on the ways of life to next generations, While in taker culture, we take each lesson learned before and are always tweaking because, it is believed that there is only one way of living.
What I found interesting, is after learning the full story and how we got here, Ishmael's solution to the narrator is he too must be a teacher because it takes the changing of minds to change actions. It was in this point in the text, that I understood why he had said that was the point most people quit. I find myself suffering from the same frustration, when you are trying to help people see how trapped they are. I think its hard to just offer education as the solution, when many of us see how quickly time is running out and understanding in order to change someone's mind they must be willing to change.Maybe that's Ishmael's point, to show that even though we are in a prison we don't know we are in, there is a small part of us that knows something has to change. We just need to find the right teachers at the right time and we could have a thinking revolution.
I am reminded of a discussion, we had in class concerning environmental psychology. All the examples that were given of how learning about how people think could move us towards a more sustainable Earth. The truth is, that is the problem now is the language environmentalists use is either too alarming it is ignored. Or, its not said at the right time and again it is ignored. I read this research article focusing on pages 445-449. I found it helpful in understanding how to even communicate the things I'm learning in this class to other people so we can have smart dialogue.
I think, if we all adapt the stance of meeting people where they are, and understanding we were all once selfish or ignorant of the issues present today. There might be hope for man, with gorilla gone.
I like your comment about changing people's minds- they have to be willing to change. That's so applicable to everything we've read in Eaarth and Ishmael
ReplyDeleteYou're right that in order for change to happen you have to be willing to change. Our society as a whole is scared of change. It is evident with our previous president (Obama). Society as a whole is scared of change no matter if it is positive or negative. I also agree with your statement where we all need to understand that we have all changed and will all continue to change.
ReplyDeleteI think that article you posted about research on different environmental encouragement strategies is highly crucial. Education only goes so far! I think Ishmael was a very good strategy in trying to curate awareness on the human condition and the way we live in the world. It doesn't push a ton of facts on people, but rather, talks about our exploitation in a very accessible, easy way.
ReplyDeleteI think it is great that you pulled in more psychology to this class. To change behavior, we first have to understand it, which is what psychology helps us do.
ReplyDeleteHere is related link for a paper published by a fellow Bronco... if you are interested!!!
http://journals.uic.edu/ojs/index.php/bsi/article/view/5906/5161