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- Written by: Kamran Mofid
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Under neoliberal capitalism and pseudo-democracy “Future has been cancelled”
’Humanity is fleeting: The world that we exist in is chaotic’
Photo:cosmosluce.blogspot.co.uk
‘For the last forty years the vision of our societies as progressive and heading in a better direction has been systematically eroded. Under the permutation of capitalism that began in the 1970s, gained traction in the 1980s, appeared victorious in the 1990s, and faced serious problems in the late 2000s — the future has been cancelled. Today, it is common sense to presume that climate change and its effects will wreak havoc on the environment, that real wages will continue to stagnate, that jobs will become more precarious, that retirements and pensions will be eliminated, and that inequality and the exploitation of society’s weakest will only worsen. This is the future offered by the variants of neoliberal political economy that dominate the developed world today.’
‘We see this erasure of the future in the political left as well — much of which has been reduced to a conservatism which desperately seeks to merely retain the remaining parts of the welfare state and social democracy. “Against austerity!” is the rallying cry of this mainstream conservative left today. This is to say that in the leading European nations much of the established left has been reduced to trafficking in the politics of fear, rather than the politics of freedom and the project for a more just society. All the while, the long-term prospects for social democracy are slowly eroded through technological innovation, financial engineering, and ever-more flexibilised job markets. While attempts to safeguard the gains of social democracy are to be lauded, they also remain totally inadequate. Faced with the newfound rapaciousness of neoliberalism after the 2008 financial crisis, such politics might be capable of minor victories, but the recent tide of history appears to flow in the opposite direction only.’
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- Written by: Kamran Mofid
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Dear Mr. Muñoz,
I am sure you will agree with me that, it must be very sad for you, personally, and disastrous for United Airlines, after the inhumane fiasco of the other day, when the poor and helpless Dr. Dao was forcefully and violently dragged and removed from a United Airlines plane in Chicago. This ugly and unnecessary incident has sparked international outrage and turned into a public relations nightmare for the airline which you lead. It is said that Dr. Dao suffered a concussion and broken nose and lost two front teeth, and would need reconstructive surgery.
What had he done for such a horrible beating up? Was he guilty of anything? No. He was not at fault. He was not guilty. I hope United Airlines was not making an example of him, so that next time around, nobody will dare to say no to give up their seats when you are overbooked!
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Photo: spiritualecology.org
What is Spiritual Ecology?
‘Spiritual Ecology is a spiritual response to our present ecological crisis. It is a developing field that joins ecology and environmentalism with the awareness of the sacred within creation. It calls for responses to environmental issues that include spiritual awareness and/or practice. The principles of spiritual ecology are simple: In order to resolve such environmental issues as depletion of species, global warming, and over-consumption, humanity must examine and reassess our underlying attitudes and beliefs about the earth, and our spiritual as well as physical responsibilities toward the planet. Thus, ecological renewal and sustainability necessarily depends upon spiritual awareness and an attitude of responsibility.
Central to Spiritual Ecology is an understanding of the interdependence and living unity of the ecosystem. Real sustainability refers to the sustainability of the whole ecosystem rather than our energy-intensive, consumer-driven culture. This will require a re-evaluation of the central aspects of our materialistic culture as we move towards a way of life that is in harmony with the earth as a living whole, a culture that cares for the soul as well as the soil. Spiritual Ecology is not based upon any single religion or spiritual path, rather the primary recognition of the sacred nature of all of creation.’ Spiritual Ecology