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RATIONALITY: What is is, Why is seems scarce, Why it matters<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n–Steven Pinker<\/i><\/p>\n
Seeing an interview with Steven Pinker led to this recommendation of his new book; \u201cRationality, What it is, Why is seems scarce, why it matters\u201d.<\/i> Because there seems to be quite a lot of opinions these days, and less so facts, this book is a timely reminder to find the place in our heads and hearts to accept the reality of both difficult and joyous facts of our history, the present day, and in our lives. Great read to kill the panic within, and bring us back from the edge. Now get up, we have work to do–don\u2019t be a denier or a doomer of important issues in our world. Every generation needs to take action and not give up. It is now our time.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFICTIONAL METAPHOR OF OUR TIME<\/h2>\n
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1984<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
–George Orwell<\/i><\/p>\n
The book that keeps on giving. Written in the 1930s, during the depression, 1984 was George Orwells\u2019 chilling prophecy about the future. In this instance, the book illustrates a dystopian view of \u201cbig brother\u201d watching, controlling and leaving much of the population entrapped in doing its bidding. Understanding this world, will shock you how far we have our own dystopian future possibilities. A suggested read for many High School and Colleges, and brilliant for it\u2019s time as a parable of understanding, it suggests for today not as much about government (do gooders and politicos of all stripes are working hard NOT to let \u201cbig government rule–and I would suggest, for vastly differing reasons), but consider the behemoth\u2019s of our times–Facebook, Insta, et al. <\/p>\n
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- Nominated as one of America\u2019s best-loved novels by PBS\u2019s <\/b>The Great American Read \u2022<\/i><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\u201cThe Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.<\/i>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
YES IT CAN HAPPEN HERE<\/h2>\n
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It Can\u2019t Happen Here<\/b><\/p>\n–Sinclair Lewis<\/em><\/p>\n
It Can\u2019t Happen Here<\/i> is the only one of Sinclair Lewis\u2019s later novels to match the power of Main Street, Babbitt<\/i>, and Arrowsmith<\/i>. A cautionary tale about the fragility of democracy, it is an alarming, eerily timeless look at how fascism could take hold in America–and it is eery because we are witnessing, and partaking, in similar behavior in 2021.<\/p>\n
Written during the Great Depression, when the country was largely oblivious to Hitler\u2019s aggression, it juxtaposes sharp political satire with the chillingly realistic rise of a president who becomes a dictator to save the nation from welfare cheats, sex, crime, and a liberal press. <\/p>\n
Called \u201ca message to thinking Americans\u201d by the Springfield Republican<\/i> when it was published in 1935, It Can\u2019t Happen Here <\/i>is a shockingly prescient novel that remains as fresh and contemporary as today\u2019s news. (From the bookseller Overview & Summary)<\/i><\/p>\n
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WEBSITE ADVICE TO EMBRACE<\/h2>\n
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NRDC Website:\u00a0 How to have tough conversations about Climate Change\u00a0
<\/strong><\/p>\nNRDC is a treasure trove of advice, facts, and reality about all things climate related\u2013policies, facts, advocacy and advice in going forward and getting involved.\u00a0 A great read.\u00a0 Buckle up for both inspiration on how to resolve our current world threatening calamities.<\/em><\/p>\n
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As climate advocates, it can be disheartening\u2014or downright infuriating\u2014to debate with a climate change denier. Same goes for the doomers<\/a>. Those feelings are amplified when we\u2019re talking to someone we know and love, rather than an anonymous commenter on social media. But shifting the tide of public opinion\u2014one neighbor, aunt, or family friend at a time\u2014is crucial to helping steer the climate action ship in the right direction. Here are a few tips to better navigate these tricky convos. (And stay tuned for more: In the coming weeks, we\u2019ll give you ideas for getting the dialogue going with everyone from kids to legislators.)\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n
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Establish common ground.<\/b><\/p>\n
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Start by talking through what unites you. Yes, your opinions may wildly diverge, but it\u2019s likely that you\u2019ll both want to arrive at the same place, like a healthy future for the next generation<\/a> or a world where we can still find joy in nature<\/a>. By starting with what you agree on, no matter how small, you build up goodwill and develop important context before diving into opinions that don\u2019t align.<\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Give each other grace.<\/strong><\/p>\n
Yep, this one is hard. But being charitable from the outset and extending the benefit of the doubt allows you to focus on learning in this situation rather than trying to explain to someone why you\u2019re right. It can be helpful to say explicitly: \u201cI know you have good intentions. I just want to understand you better.\u201d This statement changes the dynamic, helping move out of gridlock and into understanding.<\/p>\n
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Remember that a conversation is more than words.<\/b><\/p>\n
Your posture, tone, and choice of words all help to communicate your point and should reinforce your goal. So be mindful of anything that appears dismissive or hostile\u2014like raising your voice, being sarcastic, talking over one another, or abruptly ending the conversation. If you can, walk and talk. Psychologists have found that strolling together promotes a mindset that\u2019s conducive to resolving interpersonal conflicts.<\/p>\n
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Avoid one-and-done conversations.<\/b><\/p>\n
Don\u2019t try to cram an entire thesis on climate change into a single conversation. (Though if you\u2019d like to offer your friend or family member a crash course, our \u201cGlobal Warming 101<\/a>\u201d is a good place to start!) Assuming you have an ongoing presence in someone\u2019s life, feel comfortable revisiting topics when they come up naturally and build a steady, long-term trajectory of understanding.<\/p>\n
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Keep up the faith\u2014this is a worthwhile pursuit.<\/b><\/p>\n
Not only is the work of constructively arguing a part of deepening your relationships, but it\u2019s also a part of healing our planet. In case you or your friend could use a reminder of what we can achieve when we work together, remember these recent climate victories:<\/p>\n
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- The takedown of Keystone XL<\/a>, which would have sent more than 800,000 barrels of tar sands crude each day from Canada to Nebraska<\/li>\n
- The protection of Bristol Bay<\/a> against one of the most widely condemned development projects anywhere<\/li>\n
- The abandonment of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline<\/a> by its developers<\/li>\n
- The closure of Limetree Bay in St. Croix<\/a>, one of the world\u2019s largest and dirtiest oil refineries<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
NRDC works to safeguard the earth\u2014its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends.\u00a0 This excerpt is a great suggestion (in these days of the wild west of communication\u2013where too often we shoot first and ask questions later\u2026) from the NRDC regarding talking to your friends about Climate Change, and what we can do about it.<\/i><\/p>\n
- The protection of Bristol Bay<\/a> against one of the most widely condemned development projects anywhere<\/li>\n
- The takedown of Keystone XL<\/a>, which would have sent more than 800,000 barrels of tar sands crude each day from Canada to Nebraska<\/li>\n