* celebrating my 30 years jubillee as a songwriter *
BLOG
April 2007
THIS MONTH's THEME:
On planet Earth
You forget that the fruits belong to all
and that the land belongs to no one.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Question time
After the most heartfelt possible call on doing something about peace on this planet, lots of questions now
about the place we inhabit: our Earth.
Where are we actually? What are we doing here? What is going on here? Where to live?
How will it look like on some years? What is gonna change? What...
About belonging and moving, having and being, living right now, and thinking about the future.
About my life, your life, our life.
Earth is coughing
Planet Earth responded immediately to my call. Right when I was conceiving this blog last night at 20:40 GMT
a 8.1 Richter scale seaquake struck Solomon Islands, in the South Pacific, close to Papua New Guinea
and Australia. At risk of Tsunami, but it seems avoided. A simple cough of the Earth can destroy quite a lot
of our ant existence though.
What a beginning, again. To set a frame for us, to remind us, to shake our daily routine a bit.
In fact we live in our immediate moments, and in our very close environment, and there we stay most of
the time.
Once, in the past, we had many chances to stop for a while, and look at the dark bright sky, and feel
the immensity of our existence, and the humbleness to be such a little being too.
Now, that infinite natural screen has been replaced by half-accompliced glances at our front-neighbors
having breakfast, or at anemic parking areas, or at punctiliously geometrically gardens.
For thousands years we were part of that rotating show, the splashing galaxies still fixed around the
guiding stars.
Now it is about your belly dance, most of the time. The milky way is your route to the
dairy, for the morning coffee. The twinkling stars obscured by sulfurous street-lamps.
The cosmic Post Office
What would your address be, if we had not only a planetary post system, but intergalactic too?
In other words, where are we?
This is one of the questions the ancient wayfarers and wanderers were surely asking themselves, and more
often than the modern ones.
There is a QuickTime movie about this
(go
here
if you need a plugin to see this kind of movies; in Linux, you can use players such as Vlc, Totem or Mplayer),
a 'panning out' from a place on our Earth, and zooming more and more out into the infinite Space. You need
first to go to Hononulu, Hawaii, and from there you can be launched into Space:
To get the general picture of how our Universe was generated, according to science and the Big Bang theory,
you can watch this classic Carl Sagan video, accompanied by the equally classic music
by Vangelis,"Alpha":
Greetings from Luca's Garden,
Roma,
Italia,
Europe,
Earth,
go about 2/3 of the way to the edge of
Solar System,
Galaxies,
Universe,
?
bonk!
??
Flashback time-traveling
When I was a child I was very often alone. Let's leave the reason of it, if it was me to just be like that,
or if it was the world around that didn't care about little Luca. I was then spending a lot of time reading
all the books I found home, many, or, from time to time, going up the stairs of the building where my parent's
flat was, and getting to a terrace on the top, usually used to dry the washed clothes.
As remembered already above, there were not so many buildings and roads and streetlights around at that time,
so the firmament could be seen in all its splendor.
There I spent long time stretching my head up, and staring at the stars.
I was so fascinated by it. There was something potently dragging me up there, and I could really spend a
lot of time like that. May be I was waiting for some U.F.O. to show up, or I felt some kind of uncanny
connections to those twinkling little spots, or just wanted to fly away and land somewhere else in that
infinite sky. Another planet, another life, another Sun shining on me. Somehow I felt I belonged somewhere else.
With time, it became a stable interest. I got a little telescope as a gift from my parents, and I learned to
recognize the stars, the major constellations, the different sky formations like double stars, galaxies,
nebulae, Astronomy in one word.
The interest never faded completely, even now when I stop and watch only from time to time, and greet my
old friends.
Still wondering what it really is, to be landed here on Earth, in stead.
By the way, as you saw in the first picture yesterday, our galaxy looks like a Mexican sombrero,
when seen from a side. In the end, everything fits.
We all know of the big astronomers and scientists of the past, like Claudius Ptolemy, Johann Kepler,
Tycho Brahe, Isaac Newton. But they had something more in common: they were all astrologers too.
In fact, the separation of Astronomy and Astrology is a recent event. Before, for thousands of years,
they were happily married, and most of the people collecting astronomical data were also interested in
interpreting them. Astronomy takes care of the data and the theories, and stays focused on that. Astrology, on the basis of the very same data, tries to find similarities, connections, synchronizations,
patterns, and this in every possible aspects of life, from physical appearance and health, to relationships,
psychological, subjective events and in the world.
There is practically no aspect of reality that is not included in Astrology, making it one of the most complex
systems ever created in History.
Being it born in Babylon thousands of years ago, and universally developed in all cultures, from
Maya, to Arabic, Indian, Chinese, Greek, Roman, it would be very odd if there was nothing
worth in it. I am sorry modern scientists have dropped it and usually condemn its practice without even
taking the time to know what they are talking about.
As Isaac Newton once addressed one of the skeptics:
“I have studied the subject...
you have not.”
Exactly.
To me, having studied it for nearly 30 years, there is no doubt at all: it is the most extraordinary tool
to shade light on our Pythagorean Universe.
There would be so much to write about Astrology. Unfortunately my own
Lunisolar
is not really usable yet. I can only invite you then, to explore this enormous source of knowledge by yourself.
You can start with
Wikipedia,
as usual.
The globe is hot
Climate changes.
I started writing about that 30 years ago. When I was at school, and chose to build a solar panel for
heating water, out of a recycled radiator.
It was a very simple, passive design. The radiator got painted black and put in a container with some
water-pipes. The Sun rays were heating the radiator and warming the water in it, naturally circulating,
as the water, getting hot, expanded and pushed up. It cost practically nothing, anyone could make one like
this, and it worked!
I was very shy at that time, so I associated with the smart guy of the class, a blond beauty any girl wanted,
and that grew up in South Africa, being the son of an engineer.
It happened I was sitting in his father's beautiful house once, generously invited, being the modest son
of a modest bricklayer, with some other school mates. I don't remember what I was saying exactly, but
something about the need for sustainable sources of energy, and, in front of all other people, he,
the engineer, irritated, abruptly interrupted me: "What do you know, stupid?".
He was usually a nice person, and his son even more, so I guess he had a bad day or some shares in the
impending nuclear energy industry.
Years later I spent days and nights helping collecting signatures for a national referendum about nuclear
energy. We won, incredibly strong, about 80% voted no to nuclear energy. Then the construction of the
reactors was blocked and Italy never had any, any more.
Today, 20 years after, all the World is aware global changes, global warming, are a reality. For each day,
darker and darker reports state those changes are already here now, and we will see the consequences much
sooner and to an extent that even the most worried ecologists could not imagine.
The episode I told you about yesterday was from around 1980, my concluding year on secondary school.
Nearly 30 years ago! Since, I kept on learning, speaking, telling everyone it was possible to progress
and still not destroy; being involved in all kinds of actions, showing with my own example how to do that.
And very few were listening.
Communities were born, living more sustainable, developing ecological know-how, green associations,
movements, political parties. Some scientists and journalists were also more aware and told some truths.
But still few listening. Material goods were fast substituting anything else.
In 1995, I co-founded the Danish Vegan Association, Vegana, born on the 27th of November that year,
not by chance, it was in my honor that date was chosen, it being my birthday. I wrote
a series of articles about ecology and veganism,
to be published in our vegan magazine. I wrote about climate changes and all the disastrous consequences
we would see. That was more than 10 years ago, and still few listening.
The rest of the people kept on not living sustainable, consuming more and more energy, buying cars,
living in wasteful houses, throwing tons of garbages out, polluting themselves and the environment,
financing all kinds of unethical enterprises, not caring.
How many wasted years. How much unnecessary damage. How much good that could have been done and spread.
Today, at least, all scientists agree we have reached the point of no return, or very close to,
everybody knows the situation is so serious, so tragic, everybody is informed every day from the media
about what is going on, and how to reduce pollution and waste of energy and resources.
Everybody knows by now, we need a complete, total, radical change in our lifestyles.
So...
Happy Easter
Lazy Easter Sunday today. Don't feel like writing, so Happy Easter to everybody, and see you tomorrow.
The gal is supposed to be Gaia
Well, I took all Easter free, but I really needed some serious slowing down, after much pressure, for good
and bad, in the last times. No dull moment, really, also because surprises keep showing up every single day,
lately!
Today then, it is about our Gaia again.
Worth to remember: she was the Earth goddess in Greek mythology, meaning "earth" or "land".
It was the fact writer William Golding lived in Bowerchalke (Southern England) and the
scientist James Lovelock too, that lead to the naming of his theory as Gaia. The suggestion for
the naming came from Golding, as they used to walk together in the beautiful Bowerchalke.
Another writer, the eclectic man Lewis Thomas, had already formulated a similar idea, considering the
Earth not as an organism but as a single cell, in 1974, in his book
"The Lives of a Cell: Notes of a Biology Watcher".
Not to mention all the native populations, who had understood how it works already thousand of years ago.
In 1979, Lovelock laid out the scientific theory of the Earth as a whole, as a single organism, in his book:
"Gaia: A new look at life on Earth",
coauthor Lynn Margulis.
As much as I enjoy reading what he writes, I need as well to remind of the fact he is one of the most
obstinate supporters of nuclear energy, even if in a so called (and non-existing)
"light and clean" version. Just read what he writes here:
“Opposition to nuclear energy is based on irrational fear fed by Hollywood-style fiction, the Green lobbies
and the media. These fears are unjustified, and nuclear energy from its start in 1952 has proved to be the
safest of all energy sources. We must stop fretting over the minute statistical risks of cancer from
chemicals or radiation. Nearly one third of us will die of cancer anyway, mainly because we breathe air
laden with that all pervasive carcinogen, oxygen. If we fail to concentrate our minds on the real danger,
which is global warming, we may die even sooner, as did more than 20,000 unfortunates from overheating
in Europe last summer.”
So sad to read such a fine scientist write such gross, foolish, polluting, decadent words. No one is
perfect, again.
And so many lunatic people still thinking there can be anything wrong in
seeing Gaia really healthy, pure and happy.
Socializing the climate
Yesterday I reminded you of what will be our main issue, for the next generations to come:
climate changes.
I was referring to the usual meaning of climate, the physical, atmospheric one.
There is more in this word though. If we broaden our view at it [and isn't it what it is all about
in this blog?], it is not only fundamental to care for our physical survival, but also for how we
actually will want to live. I link down here to an article, an interview, that I warmly recommend, as
it is greatly interesting. A quote from it:
“Global warming is not simply an environmental issue. It is an economic issue, a social justice issue,
a lifestyle issue. It’s about race, class, and democratic participation. It’s about globalization and
global democracy. It’s about national security and global security. ... What world do we want to live in?”
Do read it, when you have some time, it is nicely laid out and full of food for thoughts.
The article is:
"Changing the social climate" (will open a .pdf document). A conversation with Michel Gelobter of
Redefining Progress
and Catherine Lerza of
Tides Foundation.
Did you...
...find the time to read the "Changing the social climate" article from yesterday? Hope so, if not,
one more invitation to do it. What a wonderfully clear, positive, effective, life-building way of talking
Michel Gelobter has! I would be tempted to shout: "Gelobter for President!", he has such a clear
picture of both global issues and local and individual solutions. Let us dream there will be someone like
him as U.S.A.'s President next time. And let us enjoy the thought of the present one to be finally locked
in a forgotten storeroom of History.
One question you could have is about how much of what he so nicely proposes will actually be carried through?
Believe me, I know what I am going to state: 100%.
Right, hundred percent, no less than that, and eventually even more. 1000% may be. Just give it a
very few years, and you will see all the world rush to that, and look completely different in no time. So,
exactly as about climate changes: it is not a matter any more of 'if', but only of 'when'
we will accomplish this.
The old darn vital politics
Yeah, I know that famous article was typical American, and mostly related to their issues. The U.S.A.
alone, in fact, are responsible for half of the pollution of the world, and even close to the whole
pollution, in a broader meaning. So it is important what is going on there.
The finally addressing a climate plan on national level, and the California Global Warming Solutions Act (2006)
in the sunny state are good news, if we think at what level of degradation and denial the whole nation was after
6 years of dubyaism.
He has still petrol fueling his cute petite brain, and the other one, the Muscle Terminator, has written
the Act while smoking his cigar in his purposely built tent-office in Sacramento. We all know both have done this
only because they otherwise would loose the votes of the increasingly environmentally aware population, and because
their spin-doctors are telling them what to do, still they have done it.
This is quite dangerous politically, as the environmental politics has been kidnapped by the right-wings lately,
while the leftists have been way too weak and lacking courage, most places.
I need to quote just the most evident example: it is true Tony Blair in the U.K. has put climate changes
high on his agenda, but it is his opponent, and probable new prime minister, David Cameron that has
promised a kind of ecological revolution.
The right-wing doesn't deserve at all to have such am exclusive, as environmental politics has to go side
by side with social justice, wealth distribution, welfare, civil rights, a central role of the public system,
all aspects where the right-wings are a disaster. So it is too bad so many components of the center-left
alliances haven't woken up to the reality of climate changes, and to how the environmental politics have
always been the most progressive and fair in reality.
To everyone of us: politics is still fundamental for the quality of our life, don't just leave the power
in the hands of people that is not up to their responsibilities. Still you have to choose, so choose what
is less worst, at least.
And we all need a complete, total reform of our democratic systems. It is also time to stop this decadent
representation of untalented governors, lousy businesses, small self-centered egos, arthritic parties,
corrupted systems. In few words: a politics that is not worth its name, and that is not able any more
to serve the common good.
We need a serious, collaborative, dedicated global consensus to tackle our global issues.
What do we know about our brothers and sisters?
I might make this recent model a standard for this blog: Mondays to Fridays, and then having a rest
Saturdays and Sundays. It did work last two days, even if not voluntarily, as I simply had too many other
things to do. I will be thinking about it, I guess it would give me a little less pressure and still
maintain quality and quantity.
Well, anyway, reconnecting to Planet Earth again now.
In the last posts we were reminded of many of the challenges we have to manage in the next times, and
they are becoming more and more global.
To take decisions about these issues requires knowing the Earth quite well, and what is going on for all
its inhabitants.
Do we know actually?
Not really, there are a few being champions in this, but for the rest of us, our universe is rather limited.
Like it was the case for wars, there is so much going on that we have completely forgotten, or we really
have no chance to know. The media fill lazily a tiny bit of the gap, but that is not enough at all.
This is namely about people, and every single individual on earth. As we all matter, and I will write about
some of us, as samples of what the people of our Earth does in these times.
Will write about some lives we are not so aware of all this week, up to Earth Day, on Sunday the 22nd.
And then I will conclude, sketching some ideas about the future of this planet.
The blocked and the erratic
Looking at what is happening to the people on a global scale, it is clear there are at least two very
strong tendencies.
Facing all the challenges of a modern world can be tough and some respond closing themselves inside a
definite set of values, usually coming from outside. Typical example are religious groups, small local
communities, homeschooling (when meant like that), some kinds of enterprises, national states, sport clubs,
gangs with their own slang language, some families even, when it becomes a way of escaping from the world,
and not living in it. Tribalism, in other words.
The other tendency is completely the opposite. There are generations now that have developed a nomadic
attitude. They don't feel they belong anywhere, live in the now and find their motivation in life not in
core values but in work or experience or... do they know really? Ever looking for something, somewhere?
Globalism.
In fact, while the risk for the tribalists is to have some good values but to turn them to a nightmare
(see fundamentalism for ex.), because of the stagnant and putrid narrowmindness such an environment can
create, on the opposite side the risk is to be so greatly smart and free in the virtual world, but loosing
the feel for the simple and pregnant life. Or to become completely corrupted by materialism, simply.
One of the intellectuals that has always had this issue as a focus is
Benjamin Barber,
I quoted already before his statement:
”The two axial principles of our age
- tribalism and globalism -
clash at every point except one:
they may both be threatening to democracy”
Of course this was very schematic and of course some people live somehow in between the two ways, or
mixing them, or in none of them, really.
I promised some stories, and two that show how that analysis is not sheer intellectualism but has very
concrete consequences. Having written much already I will wait for tomorrow though.
Home of the barricades
Home, sweet home?
The house has become the battlefield for tribalism and globalism. With the paradox of mass-production of
houses being the best culture for tribalism.
Long time ago, houses were personal, built with local materials and by and for some specific persons.
After the industrial revolution and even more now with globalisation, the houses have undergone the same
process as any other thing: mass production.
Can anyone live in a mass produced house at all? Won't it necessarily be pathologic? Very interesting
subject, no wonder it could even be the next month's theme for my blog...
A lot of people has reacted to the anguish of being in a world they feel as stranger and fear.
One story in particular, extreme, but it gives the idea:
Last August, some inhabitants of a building in the center of Torino (north-west Italy) called for
help as there was a persistent water leak in the house. It was then, an apartment was discovered where
a man and his wife and their 29 years old daughter lived. No one had noticed anything for years.
The man assaulted the policemen and was very furious. They had lived like that, without going out for years,
and had no intention to let them in. The mother was ill, refused to go to the hospital, so they had to forcibly
do it.
There were hundreds of water bottles everywhere, probably because they couldn't use the water, due to a
broken pipe. The mother was in very bad mental condition, and the daughter said, according to a newspaper:
“[...] anyway, we have never had so much intention of having many contacts
with the outside world.
We can make it by ourselves.”
She went seldom out, to buy some food. The hygienic situation was as you can imagine.
Poor, marginal people? No, the opposite, former employees in a Ministry and in a bank, pretty wealthy and
owners of two other houses, one even on the Alps.
Extreme, but many other people are living something like that. We just don't know, as their neighbors
didn't either.