Visioning 2026 Blog
Drawing Connections Between Various Factors
I copied Rick Smyre on this already, but... I am nearly finished listening to a very good audio book (8 CDs) from the Norfolk Public Library entitled, "Collapse - How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed" by Jared Diamond, c2004. It is very pertinent to our community work. The book accents the importance of drawing connections between various factors, causes, and effects in society, many of which seem unconnected and go unnoticed by those in failed societies. A good read.
Larry
Mark Hall October 12th, 2006 7:17 am
Larry,
I have listened to this same set of CDs and agree with you.
The occupants of the failed communities could not recognize
the "forest amongst the trees and the forest's ecosystem".
Do you think we have some corollaries in Northeast Nebraska?
How could we relate this to the loss of youth, the Ogallala aquifer,
economic development, loss of voter participation, etc.? What
connections can we make for our future?
Mark
Larry Wenzl October 12th, 2006 7:19 am
The significance I see, is the value of connective dialogue. I strongly recommend that the core group listen to this audio book. This book literally illustrates life and death "cause and effect" and "Rick Smyre's connections" concepts as they apply to many real-world examples. Rick called this "an excellent book." BTW, I will be returning it to the public library tomorrow.
Implications of the success/failure for our community, region, state, country, and world - abound in every aspect you can imagine, not just one discussion topic. After all, everything is connected. And although the book focuses more highly on environmental aspects, many more sociological connections can be made. The strongest correlation I can make, would be to the unrelentless "mining" of the fresh water resources now underway in order to establish a rapid "emergence" of ethanol. The book continuously points out the importance of sustainable use and replacement of resources.
But of course, resources can be technical as well as natural/physical.
Archiving on-line dialogue would be beneficial, even if face-to-face dialogue sessions occur.
Larry
Larry October 19th, 2006 12:18 am
Another book by Jared Diamond worth reading is entitled "Guns, Germs, and Steel" This book connects the rise and fall of competing societies and cultures to those three significant factors: weapons, diseases, and advanced materials.
You will find a 2 DVD video version of that book, produced by National Geographic, as very interesting. Get both at the library.