Thursday, December 9, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Nature: Braving Iraq
A PBS documentary on the efforts to restore a vast marshland in southern Iraq. This is an area rarely seen in the American media. We generally relegate all coverage to the persistent "situation" as it's being termed.
I couldn't help noticing the Ford pickup trucks that the Iraq Army or Police force was traveling in... If nothing else, America is really really good at one thing... capitalism. Big business and BIG military knows how to continue it's presence.
Anyway, without getting too caught up in the political framework of the issue, take a look at the video... it's one of the few inspiring aspects that I've been exposed to regarding Iraq (with the noted exception of course of the people of Iraq)... it's just too bad that everything else seems to be rife with trauma.
I'd also like to note my initial skepticism in the approach that is being taken in the restoration. Not being familiar with the situation I cannot assume much of a stance and I'll leave it at that.
In addition, there is an interesting issue that presents itself in this specific case. The case runs parallel to the United State's own example of the Colorado River. Where the Colorado used to run through Mexico, bringing the necessary supply of water to sustain agriculture, it is now a dry relic of its former self. The upstream areas have been diverted for (mostly) non-agricultural use such as lawn fertilization. I shouldn't presume... I'm not that familiar with it... maybe it is being used for agriculture, but I can't help but be bias about the impact. We've diverted a water source that was relied on for subsistence use by a large amount of people in order to (most likely) supply Kentucky Blue Grass with the hydration it needs to grow in the middle of a desert in Arizona.
This similarity is noted in the dams that have been constructed in Turkey. By no means am I supposing that the dams have been diverted to satisfy a Western landscape fad, but nonetheless the water is being dammed and it's impact is being severely felt downstream in Iraq.
Note: I'm including a link incase it doesn't play properly:
Nature: Braving Iraq
I couldn't help noticing the Ford pickup trucks that the Iraq Army or Police force was traveling in... If nothing else, America is really really good at one thing... capitalism. Big business and BIG military knows how to continue it's presence.
Anyway, without getting too caught up in the political framework of the issue, take a look at the video... it's one of the few inspiring aspects that I've been exposed to regarding Iraq (with the noted exception of course of the people of Iraq)... it's just too bad that everything else seems to be rife with trauma.
I'd also like to note my initial skepticism in the approach that is being taken in the restoration. Not being familiar with the situation I cannot assume much of a stance and I'll leave it at that.
In addition, there is an interesting issue that presents itself in this specific case. The case runs parallel to the United State's own example of the Colorado River. Where the Colorado used to run through Mexico, bringing the necessary supply of water to sustain agriculture, it is now a dry relic of its former self. The upstream areas have been diverted for (mostly) non-agricultural use such as lawn fertilization. I shouldn't presume... I'm not that familiar with it... maybe it is being used for agriculture, but I can't help but be bias about the impact. We've diverted a water source that was relied on for subsistence use by a large amount of people in order to (most likely) supply Kentucky Blue Grass with the hydration it needs to grow in the middle of a desert in Arizona.
This similarity is noted in the dams that have been constructed in Turkey. By no means am I supposing that the dams have been diverted to satisfy a Western landscape fad, but nonetheless the water is being dammed and it's impact is being severely felt downstream in Iraq.
Note: I'm including a link incase it doesn't play properly:
Nature: Braving Iraq
Watch the full episode. See more Nature.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Reforestation and the importance of integration with local peoples
How can a reforestation project integrate such a variety of factors such as species population protection, indigenous population strength, biodiversity protection and growth, economic benefits, and more?
Willie Smits discusses his project on the South Pacific Island of Borneo that was sparked from his desire to protect Orangutans. Check it out: Willie Smits Protects a Rainforest
Willie Smits discusses his project on the South Pacific Island of Borneo that was sparked from his desire to protect Orangutans. Check it out: Willie Smits Protects a Rainforest
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Neil Young's BBC Performance
One of my favorite artists for his lyrics and blatant musical talent, but also for the clear passion that he exudes into the music that he writes and performs.
Friday, October 22, 2010
My thoughts on; ‘This Is About Power’: An Interview With Bill McKibben
This interview with Bill McKibben, the founder of 350.org really gets to me the importance of the people in making change and developing progress.
In the recent past I've fluctuated between the vitality of either a strong focus on what I'll call "back room deals" and the opposite or gathering a strong base. Bill McKibben talks about this in slightly different ways, but very related. He at one point thought that by merely writing the stories and taking an un-opinionated approach that someone else with more passion and means of organizing would take up the roll. He has since seen that there was a lacking in that department and saw it as his responsibility to take up that void. He represents, as he mentioned, one of the earliest and strongest supporters of the climate change conversation. Since his personal realization he has made strong strides in developing or helping to develop a group of impassioned people around the issue of the environment. He still writes, but now from an opinionated stance and continues to pursue organizational ends.
McKibben was able to reach a balance in his approach that should be recognized and applauded. Personally, this "battle" to find my place has seen progress as well. I feel more inspired on a daily basis by merely having discussions with new people about the wide array of challenges we face. I continually try to pursue an opportunistic outlook and approach with gathering support. While it seems there is a never ending outlay of issues and challenges on every level of the playing field, we can at least find a sense of joy in the simple fact that there is an acknowledgement of an issue at hand and that we have a stake in trying to solve it. Patience is another factor that is important for the many leaders and groups of people throughout the world who are making strong efforts in addressing these challenges.
As I said, in the past I've fluctuated between different routes to success, sometimes based upon the latest reading or film that I was watching. For some time there was a strong negative approach that called for radical revolution and immediate change. And while there is much to be taken from the past approaches of revolution such as pure passion and resilient energy, I've also come to the belief that these upheavals and rapid changes are not robust and lasting in the long term. There is a distinct difference in organizing and bringing people together to show support for an issue and calling for rapid change through revolution. This dilemma is where I see the need for both organization and direct participation with all parties concerned. As far as my personal place within this system, I'm still finding that balance, but will continue to be involved with all sides and pursue learning about all tasks at hand.
In the recent past I've fluctuated between the vitality of either a strong focus on what I'll call "back room deals" and the opposite or gathering a strong base. Bill McKibben talks about this in slightly different ways, but very related. He at one point thought that by merely writing the stories and taking an un-opinionated approach that someone else with more passion and means of organizing would take up the roll. He has since seen that there was a lacking in that department and saw it as his responsibility to take up that void. He represents, as he mentioned, one of the earliest and strongest supporters of the climate change conversation. Since his personal realization he has made strong strides in developing or helping to develop a group of impassioned people around the issue of the environment. He still writes, but now from an opinionated stance and continues to pursue organizational ends.
McKibben was able to reach a balance in his approach that should be recognized and applauded. Personally, this "battle" to find my place has seen progress as well. I feel more inspired on a daily basis by merely having discussions with new people about the wide array of challenges we face. I continually try to pursue an opportunistic outlook and approach with gathering support. While it seems there is a never ending outlay of issues and challenges on every level of the playing field, we can at least find a sense of joy in the simple fact that there is an acknowledgement of an issue at hand and that we have a stake in trying to solve it. Patience is another factor that is important for the many leaders and groups of people throughout the world who are making strong efforts in addressing these challenges.
As I said, in the past I've fluctuated between different routes to success, sometimes based upon the latest reading or film that I was watching. For some time there was a strong negative approach that called for radical revolution and immediate change. And while there is much to be taken from the past approaches of revolution such as pure passion and resilient energy, I've also come to the belief that these upheavals and rapid changes are not robust and lasting in the long term. There is a distinct difference in organizing and bringing people together to show support for an issue and calling for rapid change through revolution. This dilemma is where I see the need for both organization and direct participation with all parties concerned. As far as my personal place within this system, I'm still finding that balance, but will continue to be involved with all sides and pursue learning about all tasks at hand.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
A Brief Reflection on My Semester in Florenze, Italy
In the Fall of 2008, my sophomore year at Stony Brook University, I spent four months studying abroad in Florence, Italy. I studied at Florence University of the Arts (FUA) which had a sister school, Apicius that specialized in culinary, wine and hospitality. I wrote and edited for the school's magazine, Blending Magazine during that time and continue to maintain a strong relationship with the folks at the school.
The group of students that I studied abroad with was sent a list of questions that we were asked to answer and submit back. Because of the distinct impact the experience had on my life I felt obligated to respond. The following are the questions and and my responses to them:
- How did your study abroad experience impact your life?
Hah! If it was that easy to articulate effectively I'd have a book contract by now.
To this day, the group that was in Firenze during the fall of '08 is family. Borgo Ognissanti, the name chosen after the street of the flat - the thirteen of us essentially lived together and came to rely on one another for the most important and the most mundane aspects of life.
Firenze awoke two passions within me that have and will undoubtedly continue to play important roles in my life. The Regional Wines of Italy course brought me to the vineyards of Tuscany in San Gimignano where I was enchanted by the estate life of a vineyard family. For over a year I've been working for a vineyard on Long Island where I've continued the education and passion for that sacred nectar. The vineyard produces estate wines, some of the best in the region, and is run by a beautiful family of European descent. Since Italy, my bar for acceptable wine has been set high, although if the group of friends is right, exceptions can be made for the sake of special occasions.
Secondly, the experiences abroad brought forth a distinct yearning to better understand the complexities of the world we live in, participate in enacting solutions to the challenges we collectively face and a desire to better grasp our place on this planet. Since Firenze, I've taken time off from school to work in the emerging field of renewable energy and have since returned to Stony Brook's new Sustainability Program. I'm majoring in Environmental Humanities (environmental anthropology). I plan on continuing to work within the complex framework of the interconnected international system, maintaining a focus on society in the environment and examining the inequalities that are present throughout the globe.
- What was the most surprising form of reverse culture shock that you experience upon re-entry?
For some time afterwards there was a distinct disdain for the sporadic, seemingly meaningless method of development in the majority of the United States. Stony Brook is on Long Island, full of strip malls and a lack of community. I missed the urban accessibility of Firenze and the small town feel of villages outside of Firenze; they all seem to be built with purpose.
- What or who do you miss the most in Florence/Italy?
Although I mentioned the group that came to be family, Borgo Ognissanti, I especially miss the other students of FUA and Apicuis who became dear friends but do not live close by as well as the group of people who make it possible the faculty and staff. They were a blast and I still keep in touch with many of them.
However, I'd be lying if I didn't say that what I miss most were the times alone either wandering aimlessly or running along the curving street, Viale Galileo that offered tree covered paths, expansive public gardens, a separation from the bustling streets of Florence and an expansive view of the city from Piazzale Michelangelo. Those were the moments that Florence became alive and opened itself up to be experienced fully.
- What did you learn about yourself while studying abroad that has changed your outlook or interactions with others?
(These answers are essentially provided above. In the sake of not repeating myself I'll leave the decision to you as to keeping them within the framework of that question or separating them. If you're going to separate them, forward me the revisions if it's not too much trouble and I can adapt them if necessary. Grazie!)
- Have you been able to maintain the bond with your former roommates or class?
Borgo Ognissanti does keep in touch. Given the time since our experience together in Firenze, changes have naturally occurred. Many of us are onto the other endeavors; school, internships, graduate school, work, etc. Some of us do still manage to get together during opportune moments and these times are cherished to the fullest.
- Open Topic: Tell us something that is interesting :-)
The concept of the "real world." Many times throughout the course of my experiences in Firenze, friends (and myself included) would be disillusioned with the idea that Firenze must be something separate from reality. How could such a period of time continue or exist ever again? It must be too good to be true. What would it be when we got back to the "real world?" - we would ask each other.
Of course time and space changes. We move, we "get on with things," we are faced with decisions. However, I would argue that, in part because of my time in Firenze, I was re-awoken to the belief that I could do anything. I say "re-awoken" because we start out having the belief instilled in us by family and friends and this seems to gradually deteriorate as we increasingly enter into society. I should put that statement into context; I don't mean "anything" relative to the entire globe, but rather anything within the confines of my individuality and passions. (Point being, why would I want to do anything if within anything there are things that I inherently wouldn't be interested in.)
The time we spend abroad is not some sort of alternate reality. You don't reemerge into the "real world" upon touching down in the United States. That being said, while abroad you are afforded the possibility of separating yourself from the routine that society has come to expect us to follow. It is a chance to learn about yourself and about things that may have been completely foreign to you beforehand. Firenze is very much the real world and should be experienced as such.
The group of students that I studied abroad with was sent a list of questions that we were asked to answer and submit back. Because of the distinct impact the experience had on my life I felt obligated to respond. The following are the questions and and my responses to them:
- How did your study abroad experience impact your life?
Hah! If it was that easy to articulate effectively I'd have a book contract by now.
To this day, the group that was in Firenze during the fall of '08 is family. Borgo Ognissanti, the name chosen after the street of the flat - the thirteen of us essentially lived together and came to rely on one another for the most important and the most mundane aspects of life.
Firenze awoke two passions within me that have and will undoubtedly continue to play important roles in my life. The Regional Wines of Italy course brought me to the vineyards of Tuscany in San Gimignano where I was enchanted by the estate life of a vineyard family. For over a year I've been working for a vineyard on Long Island where I've continued the education and passion for that sacred nectar. The vineyard produces estate wines, some of the best in the region, and is run by a beautiful family of European descent. Since Italy, my bar for acceptable wine has been set high, although if the group of friends is right, exceptions can be made for the sake of special occasions.
Secondly, the experiences abroad brought forth a distinct yearning to better understand the complexities of the world we live in, participate in enacting solutions to the challenges we collectively face and a desire to better grasp our place on this planet. Since Firenze, I've taken time off from school to work in the emerging field of renewable energy and have since returned to Stony Brook's new Sustainability Program. I'm majoring in Environmental Humanities (environmental anthropology). I plan on continuing to work within the complex framework of the interconnected international system, maintaining a focus on society in the environment and examining the inequalities that are present throughout the globe.
- What was the most surprising form of reverse culture shock that you experience upon re-entry?
For some time afterwards there was a distinct disdain for the sporadic, seemingly meaningless method of development in the majority of the United States. Stony Brook is on Long Island, full of strip malls and a lack of community. I missed the urban accessibility of Firenze and the small town feel of villages outside of Firenze; they all seem to be built with purpose.
- What or who do you miss the most in Florence/Italy?
Although I mentioned the group that came to be family, Borgo Ognissanti, I especially miss the other students of FUA and Apicuis who became dear friends but do not live close by as well as the group of people who make it possible the faculty and staff. They were a blast and I still keep in touch with many of them.
However, I'd be lying if I didn't say that what I miss most were the times alone either wandering aimlessly or running along the curving street, Viale Galileo that offered tree covered paths, expansive public gardens, a separation from the bustling streets of Florence and an expansive view of the city from Piazzale Michelangelo. Those were the moments that Florence became alive and opened itself up to be experienced fully.
- What did you learn about yourself while studying abroad that has changed your outlook or interactions with others?
(These answers are essentially provided above. In the sake of not repeating myself I'll leave the decision to you as to keeping them within the framework of that question or separating them. If you're going to separate them, forward me the revisions if it's not too much trouble and I can adapt them if necessary. Grazie!)
- Have you been able to maintain the bond with your former roommates or class?
Borgo Ognissanti does keep in touch. Given the time since our experience together in Firenze, changes have naturally occurred. Many of us are onto the other endeavors; school, internships, graduate school, work, etc. Some of us do still manage to get together during opportune moments and these times are cherished to the fullest.
- Open Topic: Tell us something that is interesting :-)
The concept of the "real world." Many times throughout the course of my experiences in Firenze, friends (and myself included) would be disillusioned with the idea that Firenze must be something separate from reality. How could such a period of time continue or exist ever again? It must be too good to be true. What would it be when we got back to the "real world?" - we would ask each other.
Of course time and space changes. We move, we "get on with things," we are faced with decisions. However, I would argue that, in part because of my time in Firenze, I was re-awoken to the belief that I could do anything. I say "re-awoken" because we start out having the belief instilled in us by family and friends and this seems to gradually deteriorate as we increasingly enter into society. I should put that statement into context; I don't mean "anything" relative to the entire globe, but rather anything within the confines of my individuality and passions. (Point being, why would I want to do anything if within anything there are things that I inherently wouldn't be interested in.)
The time we spend abroad is not some sort of alternate reality. You don't reemerge into the "real world" upon touching down in the United States. That being said, while abroad you are afforded the possibility of separating yourself from the routine that society has come to expect us to follow. It is a chance to learn about yourself and about things that may have been completely foreign to you beforehand. Firenze is very much the real world and should be experienced as such.
Monday, October 11, 2010
A weekend of bliss, a break from the hectic nature of senior year and time for contemplation
I'm trying to bring myself back into the school mode. This weekend was nearly a complete detachment from things educational (still did the 10/10/10 event and Sylvester Manor internship, but generally speaking there was a noticeable absence of school work).
Friday, after lazing around all day doing school work and such, worrying about the piece I'm supposed to write for THINK, I went to campus with a box of pears that I brought back from upstate with the intentions of giving them to the THINK crew and explaining that I couldn't write it. They weren't in the office and Sal was on campus, so he and I met up and went for a couple beers at John Harvards, a local brewery. We chatted about the MTA and development issues in NYC and other things.
After those couple sizable brews I had to head out east to Shelter Island. I drove into Greenport, parked my car by the ferry station and packed up my things and hopped on the boat. Getting off on the Island I realized how special of an opportunity it was to bike to the event at the Shelter Island Historic Society. The weather this weekend was better than one could ever ask for. There was a crispness to the air, but not cold by any means. The sky was illuminated by an incomprehensible amount of stars and biking to the contradance was such a pleasant experience.
I was supposed to get to the event at 8:30, but didn't make it until about 9:15. I made it to the last of the dances. By that time nearly everyone was in the middle of the barn dancing in circles with each other. Earlier, I was told, that the dance was led outside and there was about 200 people dancing under the stars together. After the last dance there was a story telling session. It was MC'ed by this woman from Brooklyn and there was a large group in the crowd of people from Maine... an interesting contrast, but it worked out really well. The stories generally centered around food, but other than that they were far from the same. One was about a grandmother's pie recipe, another about farting from beans, another about a "buck for a duck, a duck for a fuck, a fuck for a duck, and a fucked up duck that got hit by a truck" another was a reading from a poet about the logging camps in Maine and the cook for the camps.
After the stories and free wine the volunteers cleaned up and then headed back to the Manor. I biked into the camping area to find a big open field... no trees for hammocking, but that being a good thing. There's a spot between the Manor and the harbor with cut grass and large spacious trees. I set up beneath them, but wasn't quite tired. I went out to the open lawn to this wrought iron chair and a large flat log, laid down on the log and looked up. Caught about 3-4 shooting stars before settling back in to the hammock. There was an angry duck in the harbor that occasionally made these loud noises. The breeze felt chilly and I was glad to be in my warm sleeping bag.
At one point, two people walked down the lawn from the Manor, set up on the edge of the harbor and began playing fiddles... It was sensuous. Truly blissful.
Eventually I fell into a light, but worthy sleep and woke up to a clear sky again in the early morning. At 7 this yoga instructor came and led a yoga session on the grass between the manor and water. There was a breakfast laid out of granola, yogurt, bagels, etc.
After a crisp outdoor shower I biked back to the Historical Society to help clean up and from there, biked to the North Ferry and made my way to LLK and then on to Paumanok for work. Columbus Day weekend is one of the busiest and Ursula, Charles and Salim are away in Germany so Karen was there as well as all of the regulars. Karen and myself declared our role as "the keepers of ambiance" for the day and our goal was to ensure that a proper ambiance was maintained for the mutual benefit of the staff and the guests... so this naturally entailed drinking :-). What a day!
After we finished cleaning up the lot of us gathered a cheese plate and some glasses and made our way outside. Kareem and Karen were studying for some exams and what not, so after a few glasses of wine I went in to listen. It's great to have the opportunity to learn from the winemaker about his tasks and the theory behind the work.
I left after a bit and headed back to Stony Brook, picked up Camile and her friend Rusty and headed on home. We had a bit more wine and some brews before heading next door where they were having a bit of an afterparty for homecoming. I got drunk... more than I have in a while. Woke up the next day and was ready for a day of work with the 10.10.10 event.
There ended up being about 25-30 people who came out and helped clean up. It was great! We worked in the garden and picked up around campus. The garden has a lot of potential and some good people working on it.
Afterwards I biked with Andrew, a member of the Env Club, back to the house and stopped and picked up beer and a cake for Alla's birthday - a cheesecake topped with fresh fruit. We originally planned on heading back to campus for a forum of green buildings, but the 6 of us decided instead to cook a big meal. We used the tomatoes from the garden and made a great sauce. Nick, my friend from Southampton and the one who's taking on the Garden project, and I made the meal. Toasted Italian bread with fresh chopped basil and garlic, mozzarella and sliced tomato with balsamic and olive oil. For dinner, the sauce had the fresh tomatoes and a variety of veggies. I made it extra spicy of course :-/ :-P but it turned out great. Everyone liked it and it gave Nick and I a good time to chat. It was perfect with 6 people, over the course of the night I had a variety of conversations with each and every one of them, separate and all together.
Most of the crew headed out after dessert and clean up - everyone helped out at one point or another. And Andrew and I talked a bit more. We discussed change and positive approaches versus negative approach and right before he had to leave I think there was a breakthrough in the conversation. I gave him an example of an alternative way of approaching an issue that he presented to the Environmental Club. Rather than being upset and thinking about an issue in a defeatist and negative way, it could have been seen as an opportunity for strong change. It meant a lot that he said it really got him thinking. He sent me a text soon after that he was really thinking about it. That felt good. Beforehand I felt this build up of tension that I think I was creating because I noticed the issue last week and haven't been able to address it and didn't know how. It was a relief for me and possibly the overcoming of a threshold of progress for him. He has a whole lot of potential for organizing and I think that was one aspect that could have held him back. If he can learn to sequester those types of challenges and form them into opportunity and away from discouraging and confrontational rhetoric he should do really well.
Before falling asleep I was cruising the super information highway and found a really interesting graduate school in Vermont, SIT Graduate Program of World Learning Take a look, I'm definitely applying!
Today is "back to work" somewhat. I wrote a report on yesterday's events with 350.org and 10/10/10 and have to meet up to discuss the Sylvester Manor internship.
Tonight is the dinner celebration for Alex. We're eating at Luce & Hawkins at Jedediah Hawkins. I want to go down to the speak easy that they have in the basement, order a scotch and reminisce about Prohibition.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Inspiring video of the local community driven food and economic system
High Mowing Organic Seeds on "Dan Rather Reports" from High Mowing Organic Seeds on Vimeo.
What an inspiring video. The projects that are going on in VT in relation to this whole concept are powerful. They're providing real results to the economy on a local level and having positive repercussions on the global level.
I hope to address this issue more shortly, but enjoy the video in the mean time.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
As Time Passes
Don't fret, my blog, I haven't forgotten about you.
I'm still figuring out how my time is to be best managed for this fall and spring semester. In addition, I'm working out the purpose of this blog and the goal I have for it. As of now It's merely serving as a blabber space...
I'm still figuring out how my time is to be best managed for this fall and spring semester. In addition, I'm working out the purpose of this blog and the goal I have for it. As of now It's merely serving as a blabber space...
Monday, September 13, 2010
Constant Flux
As with any semester, one must dedicate nearly all available time to organize, prioritize, schedule and reschedule their thoughts, classes, ideas and goals for the semester. I'm hoping that the chance to write this short thought indicates that this preliminary component to the semester is coming to a close.
The next few months will be trying in many senses of the word. As with my general tendencies there is no lack of projects, goals and aspirations to keep me busy for the semester. I feel that enough mental padding has provided me the essential preparation for exorbitant amounts of mental hard-labor over the next two semesters.
This coming week marks the "official" beginning to a new project through the form of an two semester internship and a capstone course based off of the project. Although for some it may seem like a minor moment, I felt a slight sensation of enlightenment when I came to the realization that a quality notebook would be a vital asset for the project. Having this realization served to further solidify the personal importance of the project and the potential growth that will inevitably come from the experiences that lie within. I spent some time carousing a small stationary store in Port Jefferson the other day and came upon a handmade Italian notebook made from recycled paper... Not to mention, the store was closing, not on account of an ill financial situation, but rather because the owner was pursuing nursing school, and so the store was having a "Going out of business" sale! Now prepped with notebook in hand, the internship is ready to begin.
I'll hopefully find the time to continue with more updates on broader topics than the "first week of school" in the coming weeks.
The next few months will be trying in many senses of the word. As with my general tendencies there is no lack of projects, goals and aspirations to keep me busy for the semester. I feel that enough mental padding has provided me the essential preparation for exorbitant amounts of mental hard-labor over the next two semesters.
This coming week marks the "official" beginning to a new project through the form of an two semester internship and a capstone course based off of the project. Although for some it may seem like a minor moment, I felt a slight sensation of enlightenment when I came to the realization that a quality notebook would be a vital asset for the project. Having this realization served to further solidify the personal importance of the project and the potential growth that will inevitably come from the experiences that lie within. I spent some time carousing a small stationary store in Port Jefferson the other day and came upon a handmade Italian notebook made from recycled paper... Not to mention, the store was closing, not on account of an ill financial situation, but rather because the owner was pursuing nursing school, and so the store was having a "Going out of business" sale! Now prepped with notebook in hand, the internship is ready to begin.
I'll hopefully find the time to continue with more updates on broader topics than the "first week of school" in the coming weeks.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Is mankind's anthropocentric nature the largest barrier to environmental issues? Moreover, is it inevitable?
A good friend recently posed the question to me, "How do u feel about the anthropocentric aproach of modern civilization as a barrier to conservation?"
The question developed into an interesting conversation that I decided was worth transcribing... I am represented by A and my friend by B
A:Catch 22... I'll explain...
B: I think the biggest barrier to widespread sustainable development is an anthropocentric perspective of nature.
A: I wouldn't argue against your supposition that it is our greatest barrier, however it is impossible for mankind to think and experience in a way that defies an anthropocentric nature and that the belief that we are able to defy that construct is in itself anthropocentric.
...
A: Hmm.. although not that I read back, you said anthropocentric approach and I was referring to an anthropocentric nature.
B: Gotta be one with nature, man.
A: Agreed, however even during those times of complete submersion into nature, can we truly and fully step outside of our frame of reference as humans and into one that represents a completely holistic, objective perspective?
(The holistic, objective perspective being one that is non-anthropocentric. The argument being that no species, especially individuals within a species,can have this approach.)
B: We wouldn't need sustainable development if we had an objective perspective. It's more a matter of valuing the environment; as all other development and growth (not advocating) depend on its persistence.
(The "Not advocating" was in reference to his background knowledge on my opinion of growth.)
A: What do you mean by growth? Growth of society? Or individuals within an ecosystem? Growth doesn't really exist, change does. Growth is relative and short term.
(I don't think this thought was given enough attention... Growth is relative because one can feel that they are growing as an individual, there is physical growth, etc... But in the manner B was referring to this growth and development is limited to mankind and is an anthropocentric perspective in itself)
B: That's what I mean; Our fixation on growth is finite as our stock of natural capital is.
(Not sure if he meant that our fixation on growth is finite or that our growth is as finite as our supply of resources. I assume the latter.)
A: I agree that having that value (of the environment) is key, but establishing that as an understanding and as a ethic in individuals and society as a collective is what I meant to address.
B: Yeah, and my initial statement that 'we need to move away from an anthropocentric perspective' would institutionalize environmental ethics.
A: And so within that idea of establishing that value, I ask, can we "escape" (not meant to have negative or positive connotations) from an anthropocentric reality?
A: I'm arguing that all species experience reality through a centralized viewpoint and humans are no different.
B: Our reality is our ability to change through experience. So an increased understanding of the interconnected importance of nature will confront us with an undeniable need for change.
A: Even the supposition that we can break free from that and arise beyond it is anthropocentric in nature because it presumes that we have a capacity (besides logical and rational thought) that surpasses any and all other species in nature.
B: Basically the more we connect with (nature), rather than distinguish ourselves as different, we will decrease our anthropocentric dominion.
A: I believe you're right in that it is possible for mankind to decrease what I would argue is our self-importance with respect to the other elements of this planet and we can become "more connected" in doing so. But I don't think that we can relinquish an anthropocentric perspective, solely because we are humans.
A: It is not necessary to relinquish this perspective in order to "decrease our anthropocentric dominion" as you so beautifully put it.
A: Within this perspective we can truly grasp our interaction with all aspects of our environment and (because of the anthropocentric perspective) begin to shift our values and recognize the negative impacts that our current way of life has on us and the rest of the environment.
B: I think that was well articulated. I love how our intellectual paths intertwine.
(I think that the point B was trying to make was extremely important and valid, but the definitions of anthropocentric needed to be defined better. I also have a different opinion of the "capacity" of mankind to move beyond an anthropocentric perspective. I believe that B might agree, however the definition of the concept needs to be understood equally between us before we can truly move further with the conversation... I think this understanding, if it has not already, will come in due time.)
The question developed into an interesting conversation that I decided was worth transcribing... I am represented by A and my friend by B
A:Catch 22... I'll explain...
B: I think the biggest barrier to widespread sustainable development is an anthropocentric perspective of nature.
A: I wouldn't argue against your supposition that it is our greatest barrier, however it is impossible for mankind to think and experience in a way that defies an anthropocentric nature and that the belief that we are able to defy that construct is in itself anthropocentric.
...
A: Hmm.. although not that I read back, you said anthropocentric approach and I was referring to an anthropocentric nature.
B: Gotta be one with nature, man.
A: Agreed, however even during those times of complete submersion into nature, can we truly and fully step outside of our frame of reference as humans and into one that represents a completely holistic, objective perspective?
(The holistic, objective perspective being one that is non-anthropocentric. The argument being that no species, especially individuals within a species,can have this approach.)
B: We wouldn't need sustainable development if we had an objective perspective. It's more a matter of valuing the environment; as all other development and growth (not advocating) depend on its persistence.
(The "Not advocating" was in reference to his background knowledge on my opinion of growth.)
A: What do you mean by growth? Growth of society? Or individuals within an ecosystem? Growth doesn't really exist, change does. Growth is relative and short term.
(I don't think this thought was given enough attention... Growth is relative because one can feel that they are growing as an individual, there is physical growth, etc... But in the manner B was referring to this growth and development is limited to mankind and is an anthropocentric perspective in itself)
B: That's what I mean; Our fixation on growth is finite as our stock of natural capital is.
(Not sure if he meant that our fixation on growth is finite or that our growth is as finite as our supply of resources. I assume the latter.)
A: I agree that having that value (of the environment) is key, but establishing that as an understanding and as a ethic in individuals and society as a collective is what I meant to address.
B: Yeah, and my initial statement that 'we need to move away from an anthropocentric perspective' would institutionalize environmental ethics.
A: And so within that idea of establishing that value, I ask, can we "escape" (not meant to have negative or positive connotations) from an anthropocentric reality?
A: I'm arguing that all species experience reality through a centralized viewpoint and humans are no different.
B: Our reality is our ability to change through experience. So an increased understanding of the interconnected importance of nature will confront us with an undeniable need for change.
A: Even the supposition that we can break free from that and arise beyond it is anthropocentric in nature because it presumes that we have a capacity (besides logical and rational thought) that surpasses any and all other species in nature.
B: Basically the more we connect with (nature), rather than distinguish ourselves as different, we will decrease our anthropocentric dominion.
A: I believe you're right in that it is possible for mankind to decrease what I would argue is our self-importance with respect to the other elements of this planet and we can become "more connected" in doing so. But I don't think that we can relinquish an anthropocentric perspective, solely because we are humans.
A: It is not necessary to relinquish this perspective in order to "decrease our anthropocentric dominion" as you so beautifully put it.
A: Within this perspective we can truly grasp our interaction with all aspects of our environment and (because of the anthropocentric perspective) begin to shift our values and recognize the negative impacts that our current way of life has on us and the rest of the environment.
B: I think that was well articulated. I love how our intellectual paths intertwine.
(I think that the point B was trying to make was extremely important and valid, but the definitions of anthropocentric needed to be defined better. I also have a different opinion of the "capacity" of mankind to move beyond an anthropocentric perspective. I believe that B might agree, however the definition of the concept needs to be understood equally between us before we can truly move further with the conversation... I think this understanding, if it has not already, will come in due time.)
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Meet the EduPunks: Radical Self-educators Start a Movement
http://www.utne.com/Politics/Meet-the-EduPunks-Radical-Self-Education.aspx?utm_content=07.30.10+Spirituality&utm_campaign=Emerging+Ideas-Every+Day&utm_source=iPost&utm_medium=email
A note on this article:
Can we expect students to be proactive in their education if they
cannot access the very professors they are supposed to he learning
from and working with?
Grasping a knowledge base and theoretical foundation on a subject is
typically simple enough that it can be done in a variety of
environments, but anything beyond the basic elements of a topic should
not be restricted to the bare bone walls of a traditional lecture
hall, especially if students are to grasp a holistic and functional
understanding of an issue or topic. By breaking down the restrictive
barriers and confinement of a textbook we can grasp a more broad scale
view of something and begin to tie in topics that traditionally may
not have been introduced. The impact of this is to extend an
understanding far beyond an institutionalized, intellectual grasp and
brig it well into the realm of clarity and allow for greater creative
input into developing ideas.
So often in the classroom I've listened to students make suggestions
or recommendations towards solutions to issues. While the suggestions
may bring about new questions and a good point, typically the
suggestions are based solely on information that has been presented
and are of a narrow scope. Quite often, the response to the suggestion
was scheduled to follow shortly after in the professor's planned
lecture; typically with a response along the lines of, 'as you'll see
in my next slide...' This seems to clearly represent the narrow range
of issues that are discussed in traditional classrooms and it
perpetuates a student's lack of initiative to question things or think
about an issue as a whole and the associated issues that may be
related.
Were students encouraged to seek out the associated impacts of issues
and attain the system wide understanding of something I believe that
we would see solutions to issues emerge much more rapidly and be more
robust and long lasting than that haphazard, duct tape responses we
fond so often. Maybe we would dedicate the time necessary to explore
the root problems that are submerged under various layers of static
baggage attached to issues. I also believe that stronger leaders would
emerge out of these suggested changes to our education system. A
stronger community with an interconnected learning circle between
faculty, student and professors where information is not projected
down from the podium, but rather encircled between all parties.
Professors would provide structure and guidance while accepting the
knowledge and input from their younger peers.
Friday, July 30, 2010
A Moment in Reverie
...Written several days ago on a scrap sheet of paper, I jotted down
an idea that consistently turns up in my head. It arose on this
occasion after a most beautiful of sunsets.
A potato chip shaped cloud was jutting out above storm clouds on the
western horizon. It split the waning sun into two distinct forms while
the greasy, oily, salt covered chip showed of its iridescent glare and
translucent smile at the merging point. The two forks speared into the
underside of clouds that had temporarily situated themselves just over
my body as I stood in amazement, searching for truth on the northern
shore of Long Island, the base of my body being gently caressed by the
wave-tossed stones and frequent break of velvet ripples across my
toes.
an idea that consistently turns up in my head. It arose on this
occasion after a most beautiful of sunsets.
A potato chip shaped cloud was jutting out above storm clouds on the
western horizon. It split the waning sun into two distinct forms while
the greasy, oily, salt covered chip showed of its iridescent glare and
translucent smile at the merging point. The two forks speared into the
underside of clouds that had temporarily situated themselves just over
my body as I stood in amazement, searching for truth on the northern
shore of Long Island, the base of my body being gently caressed by the
wave-tossed stones and frequent break of velvet ripples across my
toes.
I couldn't help thinking that I am continuously in flux with regard to
my astonishment in the capacity of mankind; to think, to create, to
discover. Often our accomplishments so obvious as not to warrant
reverence while other times our species' achievements are undeniably
wondrous. However, my awe remains steadfast as my eyes, my mind and my
heart are drawn to nature.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Excerpt from "Inca Road" by Karin Muller
"...In this world people went to see each other if they had something
to say. They cooked and ate around a fire, sat together in the
evenings to spin or weave or to simply chat and chew some coca leaves.
It made me wonder if all of our comfort devices - air conditioners,
e-mail, television and even telephones - had slipped into our lives
like thieves, robbing us of some of our humanity."
to say. They cooked and ate around a fire, sat together in the
evenings to spin or weave or to simply chat and chew some coca leaves.
It made me wonder if all of our comfort devices - air conditioners,
e-mail, television and even telephones - had slipped into our lives
like thieves, robbing us of some of our humanity."
This passage speaks to me something quite profound. Mind you, I could
just as easily write these thoughts out on paper so that they could be
concealed and confined to limited sets of eyes, however as I thumb
these letters across the self-correcting screen on my iPhone, I type
away all effort to conceal and any thoughts of confinement. Will these
words circulate around a network that has come to artificially
resemble the community of people that Muller refers to? I believe that
it won't. The two, no matter how integrated into our lives our
technology becomes it will not adequately replace direct interaction.
I don't think that the limited recognition of this is destined to
change the course of our culture, it is more likely that we will
continue to pursue this end with ever increasing diligence.
My idealistic and hopeful mind believes that we have an immense
opportunity to change this course or at least preserve the
understanding that simplicity has great benefits and the direct
support from a community is a vitality for the species of mankind.
How we come to merge the two different ways of living will not come
from a manual. It will not be found in some obscure textbook. The
answers lie right before each and every one of us. It is our
individual duty and responsibility to make these changes. Some people
will facilitate others to see how they can contribute or at least
create an arousal of doubt that will instill a desire for that
individual to learn for themselves. I know a facilitator like this and
he has already done great work. I have learned that we can take the
access to unfiltered, yet priceless information and use this to learn
and guide ourselves and others. I believe that while each and every
interpretation of a believe or idea is completely and wholly original,
no idea can be completely original in that there is some influence
from others. In that case, the work and works of others need to be
learned from and shared in efficient and useful ways across
non-existent barriers such as language or distance. Technology appears
that it can come very close to serving this purpose and we grow
continually closer all the time.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Adirondack Adventure: A Break from Reality or a Step into Simplicity
As I sit at the Love Lane Kitchen, drinking a Blue Point brew that's intended on numbing the soreness from the hike, the realization of the past few days comes to mind.
About two weeks ago I decided that a trip into the mountains was necessary. There was not particular purpose and at that point, no particular plan. As the date of departure came close though I began assigning purpose to the trip. I thought of it as a 'get away' or an escape from all that was going on; reality if you will. I figured that a few days in the woods would give me the necessary time to analyze all of the sudden changes that had arisen.
I'm realizing, after an intense shock back into reality that the Adirondacks, while pristine and ultimately soothing, don't give you the time to worry about your other damn issues. It's enough just to watch out for the nearest root, pile of boot-sucking Adirondack Mud and extreme effort it takes just to take in the immense beauty of the area.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Serendipitous Confusion Number 2?
I don't yet know what will happen, but no longer than 20 minutes after finishing that extensive piece of blabber, making myself some dinner and grabbing a glass of water, a friend from Southampton sent me a text message asking if there was any room in my apartment. A friend of hers is looking for a place between September and December. In a subsequent message she added that her friend might be interested in moving in sooner than that if possible.
The current information I have is that she, whoever she is, is a new graduate of ESF, the environmental satellite school of Syracuse University. She is looking for a job in the area.
My assumption is that she's looking for a job in the environmental field or at least some sub-category of it. My initial outlook is one of optimism although I'm a bit apprehensive. Living with a person of the opposite sex is interesting. I don't mind it, in fact I prefer it. Although, Maria and I are more like brother and sister than anything else. Who knows though, I'm interested in learning more. Although I'm terribly shocked at the timing. The text was: "Yo so random, but do you have room for another person in your apartment." How odd is it that the day I find out I may need another person in my apartment, the opportunity arises.
I feel a strong need to be critical. I want to make sure to keep all possibilities open and be aware of them as well. As i wrote in my previous post, I feel that this may be a test. Could this be the opportunity to take off and head to a different school? Should I stick through with the opportunities I've been granted in the area? Could the solution to this dilemma present itself within 12 hours of the dilemma itself arising?
The current information I have is that she, whoever she is, is a new graduate of ESF, the environmental satellite school of Syracuse University. She is looking for a job in the area.
My assumption is that she's looking for a job in the environmental field or at least some sub-category of it. My initial outlook is one of optimism although I'm a bit apprehensive. Living with a person of the opposite sex is interesting. I don't mind it, in fact I prefer it. Although, Maria and I are more like brother and sister than anything else. Who knows though, I'm interested in learning more. Although I'm terribly shocked at the timing. The text was: "Yo so random, but do you have room for another person in your apartment." How odd is it that the day I find out I may need another person in my apartment, the opportunity arises.
I feel a strong need to be critical. I want to make sure to keep all possibilities open and be aware of them as well. As i wrote in my previous post, I feel that this may be a test. Could this be the opportunity to take off and head to a different school? Should I stick through with the opportunities I've been granted in the area? Could the solution to this dilemma present itself within 12 hours of the dilemma itself arising?
And just like that my life got flipped, turned upside down
I had a feeling for the last few weeks. I haven’t had a chance to really hang out with Maria, my friend, ex-coworker and apartment-mate. We were always missing each other. When I would come back to the apartment she would either be at work or already in bed, watching a movie. When she had time and was home, usually during the week when The Vine isn’t busy and she wasn’t working, I was working in the City for Paumanok. During mutual days off, like the middle of the week, I’d usually have to head down to campus and do work, meet with my professor, etc and by the time I’d come back, she’d be heading up Island towards her home and to hang out with Paul. The refrigerator has been nearly empty; the cats are always taken care of, as in their let in an out and loved whenever possible. It’s a good thing they’re pretty self sufficient.
With all of the opposing schedules, we haven’t been able to talk and catch up on each other’s lives, yet they keep on going. Of course there needs to be a time when all is caught up. Today, briefly, was that day. I’d been thinking about it for some time, knowing what was happened without knowing what was happening.
Maria began this summer needing a break from the 9-5, which was more like 9-7 at e2sys, and thought she had found it at The Vine; a nice restaurant/wine bar in Greenport. There is an excellent wine list and a cute patio for outdoor seating. However, it’s not on the main strip in town and it’s not as well known or traveled to as other places such as the Frisky Oyster or Claudio’s. While the food is supposedly good and like I said the wine list is competitive, the price range isn’t all that great. It’s a bit expensive. While people do leave fairly hefty tips from what Maria has told me, there isn’t the turn around that is necessary for everyone to make good money. Besides that, the area is too expensive for that type of job, not worked full time, to be worthwhile.
I had a notion even before she started this job that it wasn’t going to be stimulating or personally fulfilling enough for the likes of Maria. She had changed the whole procedure of e2sys, the renewable energy company that we both worked for since the early part of last year. We both went full time right about the same time and worked our collective tails off for next to nothing for nearly a year. After it was all said and done (for me) I resigned earlier this year after returning from – yet-another – life changing trip abroad, this time to Argentina. I returned to university on a full-time basis but at a completely different institution, at least to me. The “mother” university (more like bitchy, cocky, abusive, yet extremely-well-regarded-and-with-great-potential father-in-law) was the same; however the campus was its own. I transferred to Stony Brook’s Southampton campus from its Main Campus. The new campus was focused on sustainability and community. It was the perfect place.
One of those times in your life you’ll never forget took place before I made my schedule at the school; in fact, it was these experiences that set my mind on coming to this sacred place.
Upon returning from Argentina, I was met with several realizations. One being that my yearning for education was not being met in my current situation. Another being that geothermal, although something I still support was not the avenue that I felt was right for my life. I also gained the satisfaction of proving to myself what had originally driven me to take a semester off from school and pursue a full-time job in the “real-world.” I learned that I was never going to find success in the degree I received at school and that I could learn whatever I wanted, wherever I wanted to learn it. I learned that I could do “it” myself; I could be successful without following the path I’d been directed to follow throughout my life. The same path that every one of my peers has been directed to follow throughout their lives. – Graduate high school and attend university. Graduate from university in four years and find a job or go to graduate school. – However, I also realized that there were schools that taught the types of things I was most passionate about. There are niche places that have the same concern for our world that I do. The same nervousness about our way of life and how we live in this world and interact with the environment; these are issues that others care about. Stony Brook Southampton was one of these places.
Since I was returning from my hiatus with short but extensive experience in the renewable energy field – at that point I was managing the geothermal installations (one or two) and the design and engineering of the residential systems (again, one or two) – I thought that the field of Environmental Design, Policy and Planning was an excellent avenue. I set up a meeting with the faulty director of the major for the first week that I was back stateside. Our meeting went well beyond what either of our expectations was initially. We by no means restricted our conversation to scholastic ideas, but rather discussed shared passions and concerns, tales from our past such as Peace Corps ordeals and my own trips abroad. It was such a wonderful discussion that I had already made up my mind to come to the campus. Before leaving, professor Quigley invited me to sit in to two of his classes.
My ride home was intense and full of emotion. I stopped at Paumanok, the vineyard I work for, and discussed resuming the Greenmarkets in order to ensure some type of income. I went back to my apartment and couldn’t help but begin immediately writing my letter of resignation. Once completed I drove to the office, knowing the executives were convened for the biweekly board meeting. I waited until the agenda was complete, went in and explained my reasons for leaving. Barely getting the words out, I could sense complete surprise and once I finished they all thanked me and we discussed any continued relationship.
Soon after I resigned, I made my way back down to the campus in Southampton, a ride I would come to treasure throughout the semester. I arrived early to the class I was sitting in and when I did, there were already two other students; John Botos and Michelangelo. As the semester played out, I became good friends with both of these students and came to respect each of them in so many ways. Within two minutes of taking a seat we were all heavily involved in a conversation regarding the United States energy policy. I believe that the Climate Bill was being voted on at that time and of course it was a topic of interest for me and the students of Southampton. Although I cannot remember the precise words, topic or flow of that conversation, it stuck with me. I thought to myself, if conversation like that can arise in such a short period of time with the first two people I encounter at this school, I’m in the right place.
Fast forward through the semester and Maria and I are still living together on the North Fork of Long Island. We’ve become siblings in so many ways. I love her for who she is, but as with anyone you live with there are those things that tick ya off, but I’ve come to appreciate those as much as the good parts. I’ve come to know her really well as a person. I know that she has immense potential and has already accomplished so much in her life. Most importantly I know just how good of a person she is and that her good heart drives her to want to make a difference. This desire to make a difference is the reason we both joined the renewable energy field. It’ also the reason we both left. While I left during the winter months, Maria stuck it out for a bit longer. She still saw opportunity and indeed there was some, however, the opportunity ran out along with the money in the company and it was no longer realistic to stay there. That drive to make a change through this company had been blown away with the 4 o’clock wind of the North Fork.
Needing a break from the ridiculousness of the start-up company, she felt it a good time to get a job at a local restaurant and enjoy the summer on the North Fork for was it has to offer; wine, beaches and great food. Well Maria, I guess, didn’t need as long of a break as she originally thought. Her initial plans were to work throughout the summer at this joint and come autumn, begin looking for a “real job” back in the environmental field. With the managerial experience she gained and the rise of the “green” energy industry on Long Island, she’s in an excellent position to find a job and indeed she has.
This morning she called to tell me that she was offered a position as an office manager with a solar company up island and that she starts in about two weeks time. I don’t think I could be happier for her. The renewable energy industry or some type of environmental field is where she seems to do best and feels accomplished and so it is where she should be. I believe that the place she is heading has exponential potential and that she will grow in so many ways with and within this company. She is a leader when it comes to the work place and she hasn’t been given the total chance to show just what she can do. This is an opportunity that she deserves and I know that she will be valuable to any company she is in.
Speaking of opportunity, this semester I also saw my share of opportunity. (I’ve left out many of the wonderful developments of the semester, so if you’re reading this and are not included, do not feel discluded.)
About mid-semester I realized that Environmental Design, Policy and Planning was a great major, but that it I could graduate earlier using the credits I’ve already accumulated through my previous studies if I were an Environmental Humanities major. While that was a large influence in my decision, it was not the only one. By no means was I trading any academic opportunity in order to shorten my stay at the school. On the contrary, the faculty director of this new major proved to be an excellent professor. She is an anthropologist, my previous area of study and developed this new major with many of the concepts of anthropology being taken into account. The major essentially focused on how mankind interacts within the environment. And while this area doesn’t focus directly on the policy and planning, it does focus on people and how they have evolved and changed as well as where they’re at now. This is the area that I need to be in; dealing with people. People from anywhere and everywhere and learning from them as well as educating them about the environment and our place in it; saving the world and all that. So I changed my major. Throughout the semester, my faculty director and I discussed plans to continue learning and getting credit, but doing so in a practical manner; off campus. This conversation vamped up tremendously when we were told that the Southampton campus would be closing due to NY State budget cuts. SUNY, State University of New York, cut a substantial amount from Stony Brook University and the administration at Stony Brook was quick to pass out that cut to its satellite campus’ in Manhattan and Southampton. The Manhattan campus is extremely small and there are no full-time students strictly attending that campus. However, Southampton was being marketed as its own campus and had at least eight undergraduate majors that were solely offered on the Southampton campus. I’ll skip that story for now. For those who are involved in my life directly, you’ve heard about it already. Anyway, the offer arose to be an intern during the summer at Sylvester Manor on Shelter Island. Having never heard of the place, I relied on the description that my professor gave me. Later on in the semester my professor and I along with a fellow student who is doing the internship as well took a trip out to the Manor house. It’s incredible. It’s rich in history. The landscape is splendid. I couldn’t wait to begin the internship. I made my schedule so that I would only need to be at the Main Campus of Stony Brook for two days out of the week. I would take three classes for a total of 10 credits and during the rest of the week catch up on school work all while focusing on the 6 credit internship at Sylvester Manor. And the classes I’d be taking on the Main Campus were with professors and students from the Southampton Campus. What an opportunity!
In addition to the internship, I also received a grant from the University to do undergraduate research over the summer. I’m currently awaiting approval on my research. As it involved the study of “human subjects,” I was required to go through training to ensure ethical action and proper precautions. It’s important to protect the people you’re working with and although the training and proposal for research took a bit of time, it was helpful and – now that it’s over – worthwhile. I’ve been “banking” on using the research as a main source of income for the summer too, as my work with the vineyard doesn’t quite pay much. But what it lacks in pay, it makes up for in environment and discounted wine. The family who owns the vineyard is wondrous. They’re adopting of their employees. I feel like part of the family. My girlfriend and I met last summer on the vineyard. She was working in the tasting room while I was doing the Greenmarkets in New York City. We’re still together and now she’s working at one of the Greenmarkets as well. She no longer lives on the Island, as it was just for the summer, but she lives in the City. I work at three Greenmarkets throughout the week. Friday morning I head into the City, work, and then stay in the City. Saturday mornings both Brenda, my girlfriend, and I head out to our respective markets, after which we make our way out to the eastern end of Long Island, back to the vineyard. Again on Monday morning I make my way back into the City for another market. The days are long, extremely long, and the drive is beginning to get to me. And while I said I feel like I’ve become part of the family, it is still a challenge to work as though I am and have a stake in the business.
The Greenmarkets are populated by farmers… the people who work on the farm and have a vested interest in the success of the business. They also typically hire people from the City, whether they’re friends or just folks in need of a job, who meet them at market locations and work. But not being a farmer and still having to make my way into the City to represent the vineyard is a challenge. While I know damn well that small farms don’t typically produce a large amount of income and the owners of them work their tails off, I don’t feel that I’ve contributed enough to the product to be able to give that same effort, let alone know the necessary information to sell it as well. Having done the market with the winemaker I can attest that it truly makes a difference to have that knowledge as well as the vested interest.
Moving back towards the current situation, I’m between a rock and a hard place with too many directions to go. I feel obligated to continue throughout the summer with the Greenmarket study; however it doesn’t seem as practical any longer. With Maria most likely moving in the next month, I need to either find a roommate or a new place to live. I also have the opportunity to find a new path that completely diverges from the one that I was planning for.
I love the apartment we have now. It’s right off of the most precious Main Street any town in America could ask for, Love Lane. I walk out my door, through a small parking lot, between two buildings and across the street to my favorite place in the area; Love Lane Kitchen. They roast the best coffee and have a team of people that rival any establishment I’ve ever been to. Maria and I have two cats; Che and Orion. While our landlord doesn’t really approve because of the business below, we seem to have found a schedule that suites us both. The cats roam the area at night and return early in the morning only to plop down on the nearest pillow for the remainder of the day. Come the evening they’re rested up and ready to explore once more. The water, either the Long Island Sound or the Great Peconic Bay, is so close that it’s a challenge not to reach it over the course of a daily run – how much better can it get!
Given those benefits of the place, it is expensive. It would also be good not to have to worry about the cats and be in an area where we could sit outside closer to our place. It seems that it all might be over soon anyway…
I’m not sure that it makes any sense for me to stay in the area. Honestly, this is probably the only area that I’d like to live in on Long Island. I’ve considered getting a place closer to the Main Campus at Stony Brook. It would be a shorter drive (it takes about an hour from our apartment on the North Fork) and along the North Shore there are some wooded areas that could be nice. However, for the fall semester I only need to be on campus for two out of seven days of the week. I plan on spending at least two, maybe three days on Shelter Island, which is about 30 minutes in the opposite direction as Stony Brook Main Campus. Had the Southampton campus not closed I would be in an excellent situation; my apartment is right between the two places and it makes sense still to stay and work at the vineyard and continue with the Greenmarket study. Paumanok is only about 5 minutes away from my apartment, making an easy commute to work (although the drive into the city is much longer, obviously). And if I were to move closer to Stony Brook, it would no longer make sense to work at the vineyard, and hence, no sense to do the Greenmarket study. As I said, if I stay I need to find someone to share the apartment with or a place that’s close by, however, summer places on the North Fork are extremely expensive and hard to come by.
One of my options is to cancel the Greenmarket study although it would mean that I would also cancel the grant opportunity along with it. The loss of the money isn’t the biggest concern with that action. I’m more concerned that the opportunity of a grant is so good that it would be a shame to pass it up. This would be the first time I’m being paid to get credit!
I am set on continuing with my education in some fashion. Already this summer I miss the daily routine of classes. I miss learning and doing so, constructively in close settings. I feel the need to be educated and continue learning. There are too many things to learn… Of course there are infinite things I don’t know, but it’s not about not knowing, it’s about learning and experiencing which I value most. I would absolutely love to transfer to a different school. A small school with a focus on environmental issues or even a large school as long as the focus was on the environment and the student body represented that. If my credits all transferred I would be able to finish in about two or three semesters. My girlfriend is leaving for Paris later this summer and will be studying at a university for two semesters, after which she hopes to get an internship for the summer. With that being the scenario, I’m not held back by the desire to be close to her, for if I continued at Stony Brook, she’d still be across the Atlantic Ocean.
The financial situation is also bugging me. Stony Brook is a NY State university and so tuition is low. Brenda made a key point that money can be lost, but what you learn stays with you, or maybe it was; someone can take away your money, but can never take away what you have learned. What she was getting at is that an investment in education is worth it if what you are learning is something that you truly value. I could not agree with her more. However, the timeline for transferring to another school is not to my advantage. When Southampton campus was told that the campus would be closing come the fall semester it was already bordering the deadline for transferring. We speculate that the school timed their decision intentionally, although that it up for debate. Incoming students had already denied acceptance to other colleges as well as scholarships to different schools in order to attend Stony Brook’s Southampton campus. While they are still being offered the “education” of Stony Brook, they were marketed and expecting the education they would have received at the Southampton Campus; a complete and utter divergence from the metropolis replication of Main Campus. My close friends at Southampton are also stuck going to the Main Campus. We feel like refugees of war, heading into a neighboring nation that does not welcome us, while our home lies in ruins because of a battle’s destruction.
It feels good to finally get something written about this. I don’t necessarily feel that I’ve gotten anywhere or come to any conclusions, but it still feels good. I don’t expect sympathy, I don’t want it either… it doesn’t do any good. It’s like sending money to an organization near the holidays because they give a pair of new shoes to a child in a poor nation. While the act itself is nice enough, there is no experience of the joy that the child has when they get their shoes. – I’m giving credit where credit is due: this example of the holiday giving is from the Fragrant Palm Leaves, a collection of journal entries by Thich Nhat Hahn.
While I continue to contemplate the options I’m trying to keep in mind that my situation, while frustrating and shocking, is not a bad one. I know that this period is in some way a personal test. I also know that I will pass with strength. The result will be one of personal growth. I cannot wait to see what lies around these blind turns.
With all of the opposing schedules, we haven’t been able to talk and catch up on each other’s lives, yet they keep on going. Of course there needs to be a time when all is caught up. Today, briefly, was that day. I’d been thinking about it for some time, knowing what was happened without knowing what was happening.
Maria began this summer needing a break from the 9-5, which was more like 9-7 at e2sys, and thought she had found it at The Vine; a nice restaurant/wine bar in Greenport. There is an excellent wine list and a cute patio for outdoor seating. However, it’s not on the main strip in town and it’s not as well known or traveled to as other places such as the Frisky Oyster or Claudio’s. While the food is supposedly good and like I said the wine list is competitive, the price range isn’t all that great. It’s a bit expensive. While people do leave fairly hefty tips from what Maria has told me, there isn’t the turn around that is necessary for everyone to make good money. Besides that, the area is too expensive for that type of job, not worked full time, to be worthwhile.
I had a notion even before she started this job that it wasn’t going to be stimulating or personally fulfilling enough for the likes of Maria. She had changed the whole procedure of e2sys, the renewable energy company that we both worked for since the early part of last year. We both went full time right about the same time and worked our collective tails off for next to nothing for nearly a year. After it was all said and done (for me) I resigned earlier this year after returning from – yet-another – life changing trip abroad, this time to Argentina. I returned to university on a full-time basis but at a completely different institution, at least to me. The “mother” university (more like bitchy, cocky, abusive, yet extremely-well-regarded-and-with-great-potential father-in-law) was the same; however the campus was its own. I transferred to Stony Brook’s Southampton campus from its Main Campus. The new campus was focused on sustainability and community. It was the perfect place.
One of those times in your life you’ll never forget took place before I made my schedule at the school; in fact, it was these experiences that set my mind on coming to this sacred place.
Upon returning from Argentina, I was met with several realizations. One being that my yearning for education was not being met in my current situation. Another being that geothermal, although something I still support was not the avenue that I felt was right for my life. I also gained the satisfaction of proving to myself what had originally driven me to take a semester off from school and pursue a full-time job in the “real-world.” I learned that I was never going to find success in the degree I received at school and that I could learn whatever I wanted, wherever I wanted to learn it. I learned that I could do “it” myself; I could be successful without following the path I’d been directed to follow throughout my life. The same path that every one of my peers has been directed to follow throughout their lives. – Graduate high school and attend university. Graduate from university in four years and find a job or go to graduate school. – However, I also realized that there were schools that taught the types of things I was most passionate about. There are niche places that have the same concern for our world that I do. The same nervousness about our way of life and how we live in this world and interact with the environment; these are issues that others care about. Stony Brook Southampton was one of these places.
Since I was returning from my hiatus with short but extensive experience in the renewable energy field – at that point I was managing the geothermal installations (one or two) and the design and engineering of the residential systems (again, one or two) – I thought that the field of Environmental Design, Policy and Planning was an excellent avenue. I set up a meeting with the faulty director of the major for the first week that I was back stateside. Our meeting went well beyond what either of our expectations was initially. We by no means restricted our conversation to scholastic ideas, but rather discussed shared passions and concerns, tales from our past such as Peace Corps ordeals and my own trips abroad. It was such a wonderful discussion that I had already made up my mind to come to the campus. Before leaving, professor Quigley invited me to sit in to two of his classes.
My ride home was intense and full of emotion. I stopped at Paumanok, the vineyard I work for, and discussed resuming the Greenmarkets in order to ensure some type of income. I went back to my apartment and couldn’t help but begin immediately writing my letter of resignation. Once completed I drove to the office, knowing the executives were convened for the biweekly board meeting. I waited until the agenda was complete, went in and explained my reasons for leaving. Barely getting the words out, I could sense complete surprise and once I finished they all thanked me and we discussed any continued relationship.
Soon after I resigned, I made my way back down to the campus in Southampton, a ride I would come to treasure throughout the semester. I arrived early to the class I was sitting in and when I did, there were already two other students; John Botos and Michelangelo. As the semester played out, I became good friends with both of these students and came to respect each of them in so many ways. Within two minutes of taking a seat we were all heavily involved in a conversation regarding the United States energy policy. I believe that the Climate Bill was being voted on at that time and of course it was a topic of interest for me and the students of Southampton. Although I cannot remember the precise words, topic or flow of that conversation, it stuck with me. I thought to myself, if conversation like that can arise in such a short period of time with the first two people I encounter at this school, I’m in the right place.
Fast forward through the semester and Maria and I are still living together on the North Fork of Long Island. We’ve become siblings in so many ways. I love her for who she is, but as with anyone you live with there are those things that tick ya off, but I’ve come to appreciate those as much as the good parts. I’ve come to know her really well as a person. I know that she has immense potential and has already accomplished so much in her life. Most importantly I know just how good of a person she is and that her good heart drives her to want to make a difference. This desire to make a difference is the reason we both joined the renewable energy field. It’ also the reason we both left. While I left during the winter months, Maria stuck it out for a bit longer. She still saw opportunity and indeed there was some, however, the opportunity ran out along with the money in the company and it was no longer realistic to stay there. That drive to make a change through this company had been blown away with the 4 o’clock wind of the North Fork.
Needing a break from the ridiculousness of the start-up company, she felt it a good time to get a job at a local restaurant and enjoy the summer on the North Fork for was it has to offer; wine, beaches and great food. Well Maria, I guess, didn’t need as long of a break as she originally thought. Her initial plans were to work throughout the summer at this joint and come autumn, begin looking for a “real job” back in the environmental field. With the managerial experience she gained and the rise of the “green” energy industry on Long Island, she’s in an excellent position to find a job and indeed she has.
This morning she called to tell me that she was offered a position as an office manager with a solar company up island and that she starts in about two weeks time. I don’t think I could be happier for her. The renewable energy industry or some type of environmental field is where she seems to do best and feels accomplished and so it is where she should be. I believe that the place she is heading has exponential potential and that she will grow in so many ways with and within this company. She is a leader when it comes to the work place and she hasn’t been given the total chance to show just what she can do. This is an opportunity that she deserves and I know that she will be valuable to any company she is in.
Speaking of opportunity, this semester I also saw my share of opportunity. (I’ve left out many of the wonderful developments of the semester, so if you’re reading this and are not included, do not feel discluded.)
About mid-semester I realized that Environmental Design, Policy and Planning was a great major, but that it I could graduate earlier using the credits I’ve already accumulated through my previous studies if I were an Environmental Humanities major. While that was a large influence in my decision, it was not the only one. By no means was I trading any academic opportunity in order to shorten my stay at the school. On the contrary, the faculty director of this new major proved to be an excellent professor. She is an anthropologist, my previous area of study and developed this new major with many of the concepts of anthropology being taken into account. The major essentially focused on how mankind interacts within the environment. And while this area doesn’t focus directly on the policy and planning, it does focus on people and how they have evolved and changed as well as where they’re at now. This is the area that I need to be in; dealing with people. People from anywhere and everywhere and learning from them as well as educating them about the environment and our place in it; saving the world and all that. So I changed my major. Throughout the semester, my faculty director and I discussed plans to continue learning and getting credit, but doing so in a practical manner; off campus. This conversation vamped up tremendously when we were told that the Southampton campus would be closing due to NY State budget cuts. SUNY, State University of New York, cut a substantial amount from Stony Brook University and the administration at Stony Brook was quick to pass out that cut to its satellite campus’ in Manhattan and Southampton. The Manhattan campus is extremely small and there are no full-time students strictly attending that campus. However, Southampton was being marketed as its own campus and had at least eight undergraduate majors that were solely offered on the Southampton campus. I’ll skip that story for now. For those who are involved in my life directly, you’ve heard about it already. Anyway, the offer arose to be an intern during the summer at Sylvester Manor on Shelter Island. Having never heard of the place, I relied on the description that my professor gave me. Later on in the semester my professor and I along with a fellow student who is doing the internship as well took a trip out to the Manor house. It’s incredible. It’s rich in history. The landscape is splendid. I couldn’t wait to begin the internship. I made my schedule so that I would only need to be at the Main Campus of Stony Brook for two days out of the week. I would take three classes for a total of 10 credits and during the rest of the week catch up on school work all while focusing on the 6 credit internship at Sylvester Manor. And the classes I’d be taking on the Main Campus were with professors and students from the Southampton Campus. What an opportunity!
In addition to the internship, I also received a grant from the University to do undergraduate research over the summer. I’m currently awaiting approval on my research. As it involved the study of “human subjects,” I was required to go through training to ensure ethical action and proper precautions. It’s important to protect the people you’re working with and although the training and proposal for research took a bit of time, it was helpful and – now that it’s over – worthwhile. I’ve been “banking” on using the research as a main source of income for the summer too, as my work with the vineyard doesn’t quite pay much. But what it lacks in pay, it makes up for in environment and discounted wine. The family who owns the vineyard is wondrous. They’re adopting of their employees. I feel like part of the family. My girlfriend and I met last summer on the vineyard. She was working in the tasting room while I was doing the Greenmarkets in New York City. We’re still together and now she’s working at one of the Greenmarkets as well. She no longer lives on the Island, as it was just for the summer, but she lives in the City. I work at three Greenmarkets throughout the week. Friday morning I head into the City, work, and then stay in the City. Saturday mornings both Brenda, my girlfriend, and I head out to our respective markets, after which we make our way out to the eastern end of Long Island, back to the vineyard. Again on Monday morning I make my way back into the City for another market. The days are long, extremely long, and the drive is beginning to get to me. And while I said I feel like I’ve become part of the family, it is still a challenge to work as though I am and have a stake in the business.
The Greenmarkets are populated by farmers… the people who work on the farm and have a vested interest in the success of the business. They also typically hire people from the City, whether they’re friends or just folks in need of a job, who meet them at market locations and work. But not being a farmer and still having to make my way into the City to represent the vineyard is a challenge. While I know damn well that small farms don’t typically produce a large amount of income and the owners of them work their tails off, I don’t feel that I’ve contributed enough to the product to be able to give that same effort, let alone know the necessary information to sell it as well. Having done the market with the winemaker I can attest that it truly makes a difference to have that knowledge as well as the vested interest.
Moving back towards the current situation, I’m between a rock and a hard place with too many directions to go. I feel obligated to continue throughout the summer with the Greenmarket study; however it doesn’t seem as practical any longer. With Maria most likely moving in the next month, I need to either find a roommate or a new place to live. I also have the opportunity to find a new path that completely diverges from the one that I was planning for.
I love the apartment we have now. It’s right off of the most precious Main Street any town in America could ask for, Love Lane. I walk out my door, through a small parking lot, between two buildings and across the street to my favorite place in the area; Love Lane Kitchen. They roast the best coffee and have a team of people that rival any establishment I’ve ever been to. Maria and I have two cats; Che and Orion. While our landlord doesn’t really approve because of the business below, we seem to have found a schedule that suites us both. The cats roam the area at night and return early in the morning only to plop down on the nearest pillow for the remainder of the day. Come the evening they’re rested up and ready to explore once more. The water, either the Long Island Sound or the Great Peconic Bay, is so close that it’s a challenge not to reach it over the course of a daily run – how much better can it get!
Given those benefits of the place, it is expensive. It would also be good not to have to worry about the cats and be in an area where we could sit outside closer to our place. It seems that it all might be over soon anyway…
I’m not sure that it makes any sense for me to stay in the area. Honestly, this is probably the only area that I’d like to live in on Long Island. I’ve considered getting a place closer to the Main Campus at Stony Brook. It would be a shorter drive (it takes about an hour from our apartment on the North Fork) and along the North Shore there are some wooded areas that could be nice. However, for the fall semester I only need to be on campus for two out of seven days of the week. I plan on spending at least two, maybe three days on Shelter Island, which is about 30 minutes in the opposite direction as Stony Brook Main Campus. Had the Southampton campus not closed I would be in an excellent situation; my apartment is right between the two places and it makes sense still to stay and work at the vineyard and continue with the Greenmarket study. Paumanok is only about 5 minutes away from my apartment, making an easy commute to work (although the drive into the city is much longer, obviously). And if I were to move closer to Stony Brook, it would no longer make sense to work at the vineyard, and hence, no sense to do the Greenmarket study. As I said, if I stay I need to find someone to share the apartment with or a place that’s close by, however, summer places on the North Fork are extremely expensive and hard to come by.
One of my options is to cancel the Greenmarket study although it would mean that I would also cancel the grant opportunity along with it. The loss of the money isn’t the biggest concern with that action. I’m more concerned that the opportunity of a grant is so good that it would be a shame to pass it up. This would be the first time I’m being paid to get credit!
I am set on continuing with my education in some fashion. Already this summer I miss the daily routine of classes. I miss learning and doing so, constructively in close settings. I feel the need to be educated and continue learning. There are too many things to learn… Of course there are infinite things I don’t know, but it’s not about not knowing, it’s about learning and experiencing which I value most. I would absolutely love to transfer to a different school. A small school with a focus on environmental issues or even a large school as long as the focus was on the environment and the student body represented that. If my credits all transferred I would be able to finish in about two or three semesters. My girlfriend is leaving for Paris later this summer and will be studying at a university for two semesters, after which she hopes to get an internship for the summer. With that being the scenario, I’m not held back by the desire to be close to her, for if I continued at Stony Brook, she’d still be across the Atlantic Ocean.
The financial situation is also bugging me. Stony Brook is a NY State university and so tuition is low. Brenda made a key point that money can be lost, but what you learn stays with you, or maybe it was; someone can take away your money, but can never take away what you have learned. What she was getting at is that an investment in education is worth it if what you are learning is something that you truly value. I could not agree with her more. However, the timeline for transferring to another school is not to my advantage. When Southampton campus was told that the campus would be closing come the fall semester it was already bordering the deadline for transferring. We speculate that the school timed their decision intentionally, although that it up for debate. Incoming students had already denied acceptance to other colleges as well as scholarships to different schools in order to attend Stony Brook’s Southampton campus. While they are still being offered the “education” of Stony Brook, they were marketed and expecting the education they would have received at the Southampton Campus; a complete and utter divergence from the metropolis replication of Main Campus. My close friends at Southampton are also stuck going to the Main Campus. We feel like refugees of war, heading into a neighboring nation that does not welcome us, while our home lies in ruins because of a battle’s destruction.
It feels good to finally get something written about this. I don’t necessarily feel that I’ve gotten anywhere or come to any conclusions, but it still feels good. I don’t expect sympathy, I don’t want it either… it doesn’t do any good. It’s like sending money to an organization near the holidays because they give a pair of new shoes to a child in a poor nation. While the act itself is nice enough, there is no experience of the joy that the child has when they get their shoes. – I’m giving credit where credit is due: this example of the holiday giving is from the Fragrant Palm Leaves, a collection of journal entries by Thich Nhat Hahn.
While I continue to contemplate the options I’m trying to keep in mind that my situation, while frustrating and shocking, is not a bad one. I know that this period is in some way a personal test. I also know that I will pass with strength. The result will be one of personal growth. I cannot wait to see what lies around these blind turns.
Extensive Evidence, Disproportioned Support: The Climate Change Debate
This Tuesday, June 22, the New York Times reported on yet another study that confirms broad scientific support for the belief of climate change and mankind's influence on environmental pollution:
The study used measurements that are standard in the scientific community when diagnosing credibility and influence, such as; how often the scientist has been published in scientific journals and how often their work is cited by others in their field.
Of the top 50 scientists only 2 percent were dissenters. I'm not sure why the article used the percent figure here, it seems interesting from a statistical standpoint of a journalist. I think the more interesting number, while 2 percent is very low, is that 2 percent of 50 is ONE. Merely 1 of the top 50 scientists, according to the measurement of the researchers, is a dissenter of the climate change argument. Just as interesting, but a confusing figure is that of the top 200 researchers, 2.5 percent are non-believers of mankind's influence in climate change. While 5 of the top 200 researchers are non-believers of climate change, that leaves 195 researchers who believe in climate change. The research did not mention any belief other than a 'yes' or 'no' in regards to believing in climate change.
I was just doing some research and found the website Climate Change Fraud. On the website, a consortium of dissenters, I found an article that mentions one of the dissertation advisors, Stephen Schneider, of researcher that was reported on in the New York Times. It discusses, essentially, his lack of credibility as a co-author of the blacklist paper that was blown up against the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change; a group within the United Nations that deals with anthropogenic impact on the climate. I personally believe that this is an example of how little the public knows about the effort scientists put into their work and how extensive their work is. To write off their work with a media report that denounces their entire work is disgusting. For instance, I find it an important argument to have if it's done in a constructive way. I do not want to overlook the importance of those few scientists in the top 200 who denounce climate change. If the qualifications are equal among all parties involved, it is implied that the work of these scientists is credible. I could not say for sure what the research of these few is though. It is possible that over the course of their research they were not exposed to any indications of anthropogenic climate change. That being said, this could be similar to the way that weather reporters discuss weather and climate. Specific events are hardly referred to as being related to broad scale climate issues, they are usually restricted to events of the 'weather.'
Getting back to my point, it's fascinating that the drastic difference between believers and non-believers within the scientific community does not extend far beyond academia. The percentage of the public that does not believe in climate change is much higher than that in the scientific community. Granted this whole issue is fairly new to arise in a formalized sense, the path that makes up the increase in support for climate change is interesting. The number believers of human-impacted climate change is growing and doing so at a high rate. But given the overwhelming support for the topic on the scientific level, why is it that a similar proportion of the general public does not feel the same way. Getting back to a topic that I haven't discussed since a recent final paper, I feel that the extension of information among the population is an example of the pyramidal pattern of information exchange. This deals with a favorite topic of mine, the limitations of communication and language.
Why is it that the proportion of the mass population who believes in climate change is so different from the credible scientific community that believes in climate change? Let’s take a look at the way in which climate issues are discussed. The language surrounding climate discussion is often riddled with rhetoric that is far beyond the capacity of the general public’s ability to comprehend. The words are scientific and hold specific meanings. For the most part, these topics are unreachable for lay people like you and I. However, gradually, it seems, the meanings and interpretations of the language that is used expands and becomes more approachable. Rather than being strictly limited to scientific definitions, new ways of explaining phenomena arises that is less restrictive and more approachable by a larger scale of the population.
To provide an explanation of what I’m getting at regarding limitations of words and different interpretations, it’s best to use am overlapping circle graph:
This example, although related to environmental issues, is not a perfect example of the limitations I’m getting at regarding specific words, but it will suffice. Let’s imagine that rather than conservation, locals and profit, the three circles represent three people. Let’s keep the word “ecotourism” in the middle. Each circle represents each individual’s interpretations of the word “ecotourism.” Based on that individual’s experience with the word throughout their existence as well as the words that make it up; eco, ecology, tour, tourism, tourist, etc. their constructs of the meaning behind this word is different. Now if these three individuals are holding a meeting between themselves to discuss a future investment on a piece of property and they hope to bring ‘ecotourism’ there, they’d have some differences to work out. Since one circle represents everything that one individual associates with the word; each and every influence that brought them to their current understanding of the word, the overlapping region represents the part of the word that all three of the individuals share in common. I’m not implying that the three of them had a small amount of the same experiences, however their exposure to the word may have been in similar scenarios, thus leading them to gain a similar understanding of the word – to some degree. My point in this is that every single word is subject to the same type of pattern. The variance between each word’s meanings according to different individuals may be extremely small, leading to a large overlapping area; however there are many words whose meanings are nearly entirely based upon individual interpretations. Words that describe feelings; happy, sad, joyous, content, disheartened, etc. are words that have ill defined meanings and are thus reliant on an individual’s experience with the word. We must remember at this point that words did not always exist, what they represent or their desired representation may have always existed, but mankind took on the task of defining and categorizing and labeling things into an ‘organized’ manner. My argument is that, while language is extremely useful and pertinent to our lives, we cannot expect language to provide us with exquisite communication and understanding. I’d also like to point out the meaning of ‘understanding’ that I’m referring to. I do not mean to restrict the word to a ‘general understanding,’ but rather ‘an understanding’; one that transcends beyond any barriers that are created by communication. For ‘an understanding,’ there is no need for words, and often silence can provide us with a much deeper understanding if it is accompanied with intent listening. Although this does not explain fully my point, it will suffice for the time being. I’d like to save this discussion for another time and get back to its relevance regarding climate change.
In an extremely broad summary, after a period of time, topics become almost commonplace among the general public, topics that were once restricted to strict scientific language. I believe that the discussion on climate change falls into this pattern. If we look at the evolution of the discussion, only in recent years have we seen a broader expansion of the coverage of the topic. Before this period, events were looked at in isolation and the totality of the climate was not addressed as often. Granted, technology has brought us to the point where it is feasible to address an expanded area, but nonetheless, it has only done so within the last 40 years or so. I do not wish to appear under the ill-fated assumption that this is the only major downfall of the climate debate, however I do think it is an important one. I also wish to point out that as more and more people begin to gain understandings of the issue they are not necessarily gaining ‘an understanding’ of it. The preliminary group of people will need to gain a personal experience of the issue; they will need evidence of their own. Later individuals will not need as much in the way of evidence. This can be attributed to a variety of things such as; lack of a vested interest or substantial inability to experience a specific issue. Anyway, the issue that I’m dabbling around is the education issue. I think that eventually this leads back to how people are experiencing the issues. Where are they gaining the information, from what source? How reliable is it, are there any other interests at stake? What is the information based off of? When these questions are brought back to the climate issue there is typically a pattern that emerges… There is also an enormous difference in the rhetoric that is used between supporters of anthropogenic climate change and non-believers of anthropogenic climate change…
Out of a lack of time I will post this, however I will return to the issue, undoubtedly.
William R.L. Anderegg, a doctoral candidate at Stanford University, and his fellow authors compiled a database of 1,372 climate researchers. They then focused on scientists who had published at least 20 papers on climate, as a way to concentrate on those most active in the field. That produced a list of 908 researchers whose work was subjected to close scrutiny.
The study used measurements that are standard in the scientific community when diagnosing credibility and influence, such as; how often the scientist has been published in scientific journals and how often their work is cited by others in their field.
Of the top 50 scientists only 2 percent were dissenters. I'm not sure why the article used the percent figure here, it seems interesting from a statistical standpoint of a journalist. I think the more interesting number, while 2 percent is very low, is that 2 percent of 50 is ONE. Merely 1 of the top 50 scientists, according to the measurement of the researchers, is a dissenter of the climate change argument. Just as interesting, but a confusing figure is that of the top 200 researchers, 2.5 percent are non-believers of mankind's influence in climate change. While 5 of the top 200 researchers are non-believers of climate change, that leaves 195 researchers who believe in climate change. The research did not mention any belief other than a 'yes' or 'no' in regards to believing in climate change.
I was just doing some research and found the website Climate Change Fraud. On the website, a consortium of dissenters, I found an article that mentions one of the dissertation advisors, Stephen Schneider, of researcher that was reported on in the New York Times. It discusses, essentially, his lack of credibility as a co-author of the blacklist paper that was blown up against the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change; a group within the United Nations that deals with anthropogenic impact on the climate. I personally believe that this is an example of how little the public knows about the effort scientists put into their work and how extensive their work is. To write off their work with a media report that denounces their entire work is disgusting. For instance, I find it an important argument to have if it's done in a constructive way. I do not want to overlook the importance of those few scientists in the top 200 who denounce climate change. If the qualifications are equal among all parties involved, it is implied that the work of these scientists is credible. I could not say for sure what the research of these few is though. It is possible that over the course of their research they were not exposed to any indications of anthropogenic climate change. That being said, this could be similar to the way that weather reporters discuss weather and climate. Specific events are hardly referred to as being related to broad scale climate issues, they are usually restricted to events of the 'weather.'
Getting back to my point, it's fascinating that the drastic difference between believers and non-believers within the scientific community does not extend far beyond academia. The percentage of the public that does not believe in climate change is much higher than that in the scientific community. Granted this whole issue is fairly new to arise in a formalized sense, the path that makes up the increase in support for climate change is interesting. The number believers of human-impacted climate change is growing and doing so at a high rate. But given the overwhelming support for the topic on the scientific level, why is it that a similar proportion of the general public does not feel the same way. Getting back to a topic that I haven't discussed since a recent final paper, I feel that the extension of information among the population is an example of the pyramidal pattern of information exchange. This deals with a favorite topic of mine, the limitations of communication and language.
Why is it that the proportion of the mass population who believes in climate change is so different from the credible scientific community that believes in climate change? Let’s take a look at the way in which climate issues are discussed. The language surrounding climate discussion is often riddled with rhetoric that is far beyond the capacity of the general public’s ability to comprehend. The words are scientific and hold specific meanings. For the most part, these topics are unreachable for lay people like you and I. However, gradually, it seems, the meanings and interpretations of the language that is used expands and becomes more approachable. Rather than being strictly limited to scientific definitions, new ways of explaining phenomena arises that is less restrictive and more approachable by a larger scale of the population.
To provide an explanation of what I’m getting at regarding limitations of words and different interpretations, it’s best to use am overlapping circle graph:
This example, although related to environmental issues, is not a perfect example of the limitations I’m getting at regarding specific words, but it will suffice. Let’s imagine that rather than conservation, locals and profit, the three circles represent three people. Let’s keep the word “ecotourism” in the middle. Each circle represents each individual’s interpretations of the word “ecotourism.” Based on that individual’s experience with the word throughout their existence as well as the words that make it up; eco, ecology, tour, tourism, tourist, etc. their constructs of the meaning behind this word is different. Now if these three individuals are holding a meeting between themselves to discuss a future investment on a piece of property and they hope to bring ‘ecotourism’ there, they’d have some differences to work out. Since one circle represents everything that one individual associates with the word; each and every influence that brought them to their current understanding of the word, the overlapping region represents the part of the word that all three of the individuals share in common. I’m not implying that the three of them had a small amount of the same experiences, however their exposure to the word may have been in similar scenarios, thus leading them to gain a similar understanding of the word – to some degree. My point in this is that every single word is subject to the same type of pattern. The variance between each word’s meanings according to different individuals may be extremely small, leading to a large overlapping area; however there are many words whose meanings are nearly entirely based upon individual interpretations. Words that describe feelings; happy, sad, joyous, content, disheartened, etc. are words that have ill defined meanings and are thus reliant on an individual’s experience with the word. We must remember at this point that words did not always exist, what they represent or their desired representation may have always existed, but mankind took on the task of defining and categorizing and labeling things into an ‘organized’ manner. My argument is that, while language is extremely useful and pertinent to our lives, we cannot expect language to provide us with exquisite communication and understanding. I’d also like to point out the meaning of ‘understanding’ that I’m referring to. I do not mean to restrict the word to a ‘general understanding,’ but rather ‘an understanding’; one that transcends beyond any barriers that are created by communication. For ‘an understanding,’ there is no need for words, and often silence can provide us with a much deeper understanding if it is accompanied with intent listening. Although this does not explain fully my point, it will suffice for the time being. I’d like to save this discussion for another time and get back to its relevance regarding climate change.
In an extremely broad summary, after a period of time, topics become almost commonplace among the general public, topics that were once restricted to strict scientific language. I believe that the discussion on climate change falls into this pattern. If we look at the evolution of the discussion, only in recent years have we seen a broader expansion of the coverage of the topic. Before this period, events were looked at in isolation and the totality of the climate was not addressed as often. Granted, technology has brought us to the point where it is feasible to address an expanded area, but nonetheless, it has only done so within the last 40 years or so. I do not wish to appear under the ill-fated assumption that this is the only major downfall of the climate debate, however I do think it is an important one. I also wish to point out that as more and more people begin to gain understandings of the issue they are not necessarily gaining ‘an understanding’ of it. The preliminary group of people will need to gain a personal experience of the issue; they will need evidence of their own. Later individuals will not need as much in the way of evidence. This can be attributed to a variety of things such as; lack of a vested interest or substantial inability to experience a specific issue. Anyway, the issue that I’m dabbling around is the education issue. I think that eventually this leads back to how people are experiencing the issues. Where are they gaining the information, from what source? How reliable is it, are there any other interests at stake? What is the information based off of? When these questions are brought back to the climate issue there is typically a pattern that emerges… There is also an enormous difference in the rhetoric that is used between supporters of anthropogenic climate change and non-believers of anthropogenic climate change…
Out of a lack of time I will post this, however I will return to the issue, undoubtedly.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Pleasantly Surprised
While my original intentions of the day were not completed, the ensuing development and proud feels override any potential benefit I would have received by focusing on the tasks at hand.
My research proposal lies in shambles, awaiting my mending efforts, but I'm reinvigorated for the re-attack tomorrow. Putting the day's lack of accomplishment aside, I found some incredible writings, blogs and organizations today. I've found a school, Sterling College, that is hopefully a future destination. I'm not sure of its accreditation status, but it's intriguing by all means. Charity:Water is an organization that's dedicated to providing clean water to malnourished people throughout the world. From blogs to adding a "Share This" tool to my own blog, today was a success by all means.
Soon I'll be heading to Sylvester Manor to watch the Barrouallie Whalers perform. Some friends from Southampton will join me on Shelter Island for the show! I'll most probably be taking some photos. They'll be up soon!
My research proposal lies in shambles, awaiting my mending efforts, but I'm reinvigorated for the re-attack tomorrow. Putting the day's lack of accomplishment aside, I found some incredible writings, blogs and organizations today. I've found a school, Sterling College, that is hopefully a future destination. I'm not sure of its accreditation status, but it's intriguing by all means. Charity:Water is an organization that's dedicated to providing clean water to malnourished people throughout the world. From blogs to adding a "Share This" tool to my own blog, today was a success by all means.
Soon I'll be heading to Sylvester Manor to watch the Barrouallie Whalers perform. Some friends from Southampton will join me on Shelter Island for the show! I'll most probably be taking some photos. They'll be up soon!
Theses on Sustainability | Orion Magazine
Reading this Theses on Sustainability, I'm reminded vividly of my Environmental Ethics class and Laurence Berman's "Reenchantment." Our semester-long conversation (that has yet to end, and probably never will) took us through a basic journey of man's disenchantment.
I'm printing out this piece and plan on continuing to absorb it. As with #10 and the "all we can do" statement, there is much to be unpacked within these theses.
#4 is a key thesis to take in (As are the others).
[4]
NATURE IS MALLEABLE and has enormous resilience, a resilience that gives healthy ecosystems a dynamic equilibrium. But the resiliency of nature has limits and to transgress them is to act unsustainably. Thus, the most diffuse usage, “sensibly far-sighted,” is the usage that contains and properly reflects the strict ecological definition of the term: a thing is ecologically sustainable if it doesn’t destroy the environmental preconditions for its own existence.
Our planet, although it has its limits, will fight off disease. It has its own defenses. The immune system is resilient.
I'm still taking in all that this piece has to offer. I'm so impressed with the writing's conciseness and style. This piece sums up a lot of my own personal philosophy, at least to the extent that it breaks down the variety of interpretations that come from one word. The different uses of this word need to be sorted out as their connotations change throughout society. The point that is made is a valid one; "sustainability" has become thrown about in more arms than it can handle.
The last point, #18, is key to the direction I hope to take my life. "NO, THERE IS NO PRECEDENT for what we are struggling to create. We have to make it up ourselves." This is the most important driving factor in my life, and a growing factor in the lives of many, many others. There is doubt in how we lead our lives and this doubt needs to be addressed and eventually resolved. We do not yet know how it will be resolved, but there are surely hints within the natural world. We should not look far for answers, for they lay within ourselves; how we become to understand these answers is the question to be addressed.
Theses on Sustainability | Orion Magazine
I'm printing out this piece and plan on continuing to absorb it. As with #10 and the "all we can do" statement, there is much to be unpacked within these theses.
#4 is a key thesis to take in (As are the others).
[4]
NATURE IS MALLEABLE and has enormous resilience, a resilience that gives healthy ecosystems a dynamic equilibrium. But the resiliency of nature has limits and to transgress them is to act unsustainably. Thus, the most diffuse usage, “sensibly far-sighted,” is the usage that contains and properly reflects the strict ecological definition of the term: a thing is ecologically sustainable if it doesn’t destroy the environmental preconditions for its own existence.
Our planet, although it has its limits, will fight off disease. It has its own defenses. The immune system is resilient.
I'm still taking in all that this piece has to offer. I'm so impressed with the writing's conciseness and style. This piece sums up a lot of my own personal philosophy, at least to the extent that it breaks down the variety of interpretations that come from one word. The different uses of this word need to be sorted out as their connotations change throughout society. The point that is made is a valid one; "sustainability" has become thrown about in more arms than it can handle.
The last point, #18, is key to the direction I hope to take my life. "NO, THERE IS NO PRECEDENT for what we are struggling to create. We have to make it up ourselves." This is the most important driving factor in my life, and a growing factor in the lives of many, many others. There is doubt in how we lead our lives and this doubt needs to be addressed and eventually resolved. We do not yet know how it will be resolved, but there are surely hints within the natural world. We should not look far for answers, for they lay within ourselves; how we become to understand these answers is the question to be addressed.
Theses on Sustainability | Orion Magazine
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
anis mojgani - "peacocks"
Check out this video on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wye_axUPRrU&feature=youtube_gdata
Sent from my iPhone
What, then, is the purpose?
Research
Storytelling
Anthropology
Environment
Studying
Human Subjects
Code of ethics
What the hell am I getting myself into?
Maybe a bit ambitiously, I threw myself into an application for undergraduate research this summer. The research is my own, it's funded and it's scientific...at least supposed to be.
I designed my research around the NYC Greenmarkets; the farmer's markets that are spread throughout the City of New York. As a representative of a vineyard and wine producer, I've spent a fair amount of time behind a table selling our product to the customers of the market. As an anthropologist, I've become enamored with the complexities of the market and the potential impact it may have on the communities it serves. The development of the Greenmarket for local producers is also quite intriguing for the fact that it is being taken as a serious business development. I'm not familiar enough with rural farmer's markets (although I'm from a rural agricultural region in Upstate NY) to determine how different the NYC Greenmarkets are, but this is a question that I will be addressing in the study.
My original approach with this study, in regards to the consumers, was to investigate their how the Greenmarkets impact their diets. Do folks spend the majority of their food budget on the seasonal items at the markets? Do they merely attend the markets during summer and fall seasons? Where is the rest of their food coming from? Are most customers shopping at large supermarkets or fair trade markets, does the production location play a role in their decision?
Of course many of these questions will be asked throughout interviews and will address specific issues, but I've become side tracked with these specifics and derailed from the intent behind the study. I also think the intent may have changed. I don't want to merely produce a study that becomes useless beyond the Greenmarkets. There are much larger questions to be addressed and issues to ponder. My professor put this in perspective for me by relaying that this could lead into a PhD dissertation topic and that it would then serve as a small part. But, what then, would be the larger part? I'm confident that I do have an idea of what I would like to have included in this overarching work. As of now, I'm having trouble placing this study in that realm.
Food is clearly important to every living being. Humans of course, while maintaining similarities in our approach towards food, address the issue in completely different ways than any other species. Humans also vary intensely between cultures and socio-economic levels - among many variables - in our approach towards sustenance.
Quality of life. Rushed lifestyles. Slow food movement. These are some of the other broad topics that are inherently associated with food and farmer's markets. Approachability. How accessible are farmer's markets to varying socio-economic levels? What role does the NYC Greenmarket play in the larger movement and the essential shift in our way of life that I believe is necessary. How does this relate back to our experience of reality and our impact on our surroundings and the environment.
One of my personal dilemmas, brought out in situations such as this, is impatience and lack of accurate forethought. I know that in order to make progress on a larger project or personal puzzle it may take incremental focus and a breaking down of proceedings, however I do not yet understand this very concept. Especially because of my insecurities regarding my memory, (it took me about 8 minutes to remember the word 'insecure') I fear that I would become so deranged, take so many tangents and open up so many new avenues and interests that I would never come back to the larger picture. Realistically, because the larger movement and theme overrides the particulars in my personal importance it's unlikely that I would not return; it's nonetheless a challenge to free myself from these restraints. Instead, I'd rather attend to a multiplicity of agendas, albeit a shortsighted outlook. 'Appreciation of the journey and all that it has to offer' - an idea that deserves consideration.
Storytelling
Anthropology
Environment
Studying
Human Subjects
Code of ethics
What the hell am I getting myself into?
Maybe a bit ambitiously, I threw myself into an application for undergraduate research this summer. The research is my own, it's funded and it's scientific...at least supposed to be.
I designed my research around the NYC Greenmarkets; the farmer's markets that are spread throughout the City of New York. As a representative of a vineyard and wine producer, I've spent a fair amount of time behind a table selling our product to the customers of the market. As an anthropologist, I've become enamored with the complexities of the market and the potential impact it may have on the communities it serves. The development of the Greenmarket for local producers is also quite intriguing for the fact that it is being taken as a serious business development. I'm not familiar enough with rural farmer's markets (although I'm from a rural agricultural region in Upstate NY) to determine how different the NYC Greenmarkets are, but this is a question that I will be addressing in the study.
My original approach with this study, in regards to the consumers, was to investigate their how the Greenmarkets impact their diets. Do folks spend the majority of their food budget on the seasonal items at the markets? Do they merely attend the markets during summer and fall seasons? Where is the rest of their food coming from? Are most customers shopping at large supermarkets or fair trade markets, does the production location play a role in their decision?
Of course many of these questions will be asked throughout interviews and will address specific issues, but I've become side tracked with these specifics and derailed from the intent behind the study. I also think the intent may have changed. I don't want to merely produce a study that becomes useless beyond the Greenmarkets. There are much larger questions to be addressed and issues to ponder. My professor put this in perspective for me by relaying that this could lead into a PhD dissertation topic and that it would then serve as a small part. But, what then, would be the larger part? I'm confident that I do have an idea of what I would like to have included in this overarching work. As of now, I'm having trouble placing this study in that realm.
Food is clearly important to every living being. Humans of course, while maintaining similarities in our approach towards food, address the issue in completely different ways than any other species. Humans also vary intensely between cultures and socio-economic levels - among many variables - in our approach towards sustenance.
Quality of life. Rushed lifestyles. Slow food movement. These are some of the other broad topics that are inherently associated with food and farmer's markets. Approachability. How accessible are farmer's markets to varying socio-economic levels? What role does the NYC Greenmarket play in the larger movement and the essential shift in our way of life that I believe is necessary. How does this relate back to our experience of reality and our impact on our surroundings and the environment.
One of my personal dilemmas, brought out in situations such as this, is impatience and lack of accurate forethought. I know that in order to make progress on a larger project or personal puzzle it may take incremental focus and a breaking down of proceedings, however I do not yet understand this very concept. Especially because of my insecurities regarding my memory, (it took me about 8 minutes to remember the word 'insecure') I fear that I would become so deranged, take so many tangents and open up so many new avenues and interests that I would never come back to the larger picture. Realistically, because the larger movement and theme overrides the particulars in my personal importance it's unlikely that I would not return; it's nonetheless a challenge to free myself from these restraints. Instead, I'd rather attend to a multiplicity of agendas, albeit a shortsighted outlook. 'Appreciation of the journey and all that it has to offer' - an idea that deserves consideration.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Energy Sleuths in Pursuit Of the Truly Green Building by Richard Conniff : Yale Environment 360
Energy Sleuths in Pursuit Of the Truly Green Building by Richard Conniff : Yale Environment 360
This article is bringing me back to just less than a year ago when I was neck deep in the renewable energy industry. I was planning on getting BPI (Building Performance Index) training that would have trained me to do these types of audits on residential homes. This is a huge, huge deal that I think needs to expand, and fast.
As an uneducated consumer I was unaware of how much savings I would have by going through these steps. Then, getting into the industry I began seeing how much savings could be had and the positive impact or rather decreasing negative impact it would have on the environment. With homes, something as minor as replacing light bulbs with LEDs or even compact fluorescents make so much sense. Even though they cost a lot more upfront, not only do they last much longer than conventional light bulbs, but they use extremely smaller amounts of energy, saving the consumer utility costs.
Although I'm (currently) no longer formally involved in the renewable energy industry I cannot help but see the necessity behind clean tech. Although I'd much prefer us going back to living off the land, it doesn't seem like a likely occurrence; at least not in the near future.
The Microbe Factor and Its Role in Our Climate Future by Carl Zimmer: Yale Environment 360
The Microbe Factor and Its Role in Our Climate Future by Carl Zimmer: Yale Environment 360
Take a look at this article that's linked above. It's discussing the impact of bacteria and other micro organisms on the environment. It discusses the possibilities that may occur if the Arctic and Antarctic regions continue to warm. This reminds me of another article I recently read from Harvard that discusses the effect termites have on the savannas of Africa. Both articles, rightfully so, deem some of the smallest animals to have some of the most tremendous impacts on our environment. I just posted the link to the Harvard article below.
The inverse relationship is fascinating, although seemingly so obvious that it is often overlooked. The pyramid shape of the food chain is key! While some of the largest mammals such as cows, elephants, bears, etc have much higher per organism impact, the smallest organisms such as bacteria, termites, ants, bees, etc have much larger per species impact on the environment.
http://ht.ly/1R7Ho
Take a look at this article that's linked above. It's discussing the impact of bacteria and other micro organisms on the environment. It discusses the possibilities that may occur if the Arctic and Antarctic regions continue to warm. This reminds me of another article I recently read from Harvard that discusses the effect termites have on the savannas of Africa. Both articles, rightfully so, deem some of the smallest animals to have some of the most tremendous impacts on our environment. I just posted the link to the Harvard article below.
The inverse relationship is fascinating, although seemingly so obvious that it is often overlooked. The pyramid shape of the food chain is key! While some of the largest mammals such as cows, elephants, bears, etc have much higher per organism impact, the smallest organisms such as bacteria, termites, ants, bees, etc have much larger per species impact on the environment.
http://ht.ly/1R7Ho
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Release the Hounds!
My mother and I always knew our neighbors were strange. By neighbors I don't mean one couple, I'm referring to several homesteads. When we first moved into this home, when I was still in middle school, there were some chance events that led to these revelations. To be brief, my mother found out that this old feller down the road enjoyed sippin’ his glass of whiskey while tattered in a black Victoria’s-Secret style satin shirt and some tighty whiteys. He also tended to have a rusty six-shooter settled right alongside the remote. We called him “Lingerie Bob.” He called himself “Bashakill Bob” – thought himself a fisherman of sorts (The Bashakill is a local watershed…rather gorgeous spot).
Across the street there lives a couple who hung tarps around the perimeter of their backyard, which, in itself isn’t too unordinary – maybe they can’t afford a new fence or something. The thing is dark brown and I’m not sure if they felt it would blend in with the surrounding woods, but the artificialness of it stands out more than a unibrow in a class photo. Anyway, the story goes that a local contractor was walking through the woods behind their house and happened upon their yard, planning to ask them a question. When he walked beyond the woods he saw that they were relaxing around the area, stark naked. Now, I cannot confirm that they let their balls and boobs hang loose, but it’s not entirely implausible.
Thankfully, even farther down the road is the man I like to refer to as the Mayor of Doll Rd, George Paradise. As with all of the neighbors, it’s not that they’re bad people (‘cept for the next group maybe) they’re just a bit odd; no more so than myself in their eyes. George though is an ex-Marine who owned about half of the property along the road before it was all bought up after subdivision. The issue is that he thinks that because he once owned the land, he retains the rights to oversee it and determine all aspects of activity on the land. I don’t think he’s got much to do with his time and I can’t help but feel somewhat sorry, but don’t surprise my friends and me at 11pm!
Ok, and now for the coup des gras, the folks next door that we like to refer to as “the Goths.” There are far too many oddities surrounding this group of people to discuss in depth here. As with any home, there have been developments over time. During the first year or two there was an occasion where my mother made her way over to their front door. I’m not sure if it was an introduction or asking for some sugar, but it’s neither here nor there. She was welcomed by the wife who proceeded to walk her down the pitch black hallway with black candles protruding from the wall. Since the incident, there hasn’t been a return trip, which I’m aware of. There are the typical backyard sword fights that generally occur on a rather steady basis during pleasant weather. The lawn rarely receives a trim; accept right before the annual bash, which usually takes place towards the end of the summer. In the past year or two we’ve noticed that they’ve raised a flag, posted their ship’s steering wheel and installed a pair of canons on either side of their back deck. I’ve yet to see one shoot off, however my mother attests that it has happened in my absence. The recent months have been the capstone to the fairy tale lives of these strange individuals.
Over the past few weeks my mother noticed some rustling amongst the conniving group next door. They had been spending a bit of time in the woods behind their house. Not being one to steer clear, my mother had a look; she said they were making a bit of a clearing. About a week later she noticed that they began lining the perimeter of the clearing with stones and that these stones were coming from the rock wall that separates our property from theirs. Not having this, she told the young cult follower to stop taking stones from here, to which he replied, “But we have a project.” Having another look at the progress, my mother reported that the clearing was now lined with stones and the four corners each had a large stone. Directly behind the stones, about head height, were white crosses posted on trees. Low and behold, it seems as though they held a marriage ceremony in the spot during Memorial Day weekend, although I’m not sure they have retired the clearing. It may still serve as some sort of sacrificial temple, although I’m just taking it to the extreme. I’m sure they’re harmless; as my mother would say.
I can deal with the long grass and the canons. I can handle the batter between swords and occasional loud, obnoxious music. I can even accept the sacrificial shrine in the middle of the woods. However, the medley of barking Border Collis needs to be dealt with. At first there were just one or two dogs. Mind you, these little things barked more than the crickets’ cricket at night, but it might have been manageable. It seems that they’ve decided upon breeding the poor animals thinking that they’re going to make a pretty penny on them. There are now no less than five petite Border Collis that cannot seems to SHUT UP. And, I don’t blame them one bit! These dolts have confined the dogs to a cage that can’t be more than 20’x40’. They’re Border Collis. They should be out in a pasture chasing sheep to their heart’s desire, not plugged up in a small wooded cage. The noise isn’t just bothering my mother (and occasionally me), but the nudists have issued a complaint with my mother in general passing conversation. I’m concerned that these animals are not being treated properly. I doubt that there are any physical abuses going on such as beating or harsh training, but they are most definitely not allowed to run freely, a physical abuse as far as I’m concerned. It’s about damn time that these crazy neighbors release the hounds and take their place in the cage!
Serendipitous Confusion
I've been sitting at my typical corner table in the Love Lane Kitchen since 9am this morning working on this Human Subjects Training that's been nagging at my ankles for the past two weeks. My original hopes were to make it into the Kitchen around 7am, giving me plenty of time to complete the online training section, take notes on the Committee's requirements and touch on the beginnings of a drafted proposal. However, a tired Adam awoke to an overused Dave Mathews song that functions as my alarm and continued to hit the screen of my iPhone until that damn song no longer played...this of course resulted in the extension of my sleep cycle until well after 7am.
Rolling out of the comfort of my sheets around 8:15am, I gathered my thoughts, cleaned up, slightly, and made it to LLK. After the usual 5 minute BS session I quickly jumped into my work and was making slow, yet diligent progress. The wording of the documents are all done in such a way to create as much confusion as possible and restrict the understanding capacity to only those truly dedicated to completing the Training. Ok, I might be exaggerating a bit, but it was a pain in the arss.
At around 11:30, in walks my professor, who I'm supposed to be meeting on campus in 30 minutes. It's good to know that we both run on the same schedule: late. Anyway, seeing that I was well into the Training and I had enough papers spread across the table that cleaning it up and heading to the South Fork for a meeting that I'm not yet ready for didn't make sense, we talked briefly about what I needed to do. It seems that I have a good understanding of what needs to be done, it's just a matter of doing it... good to know. We decided on meeting up next week to cover a preliminary proposal that hopefully satisfies the Research Committee's requests. She walked out, continued on her journey South to teach her class and I returned my focus to the Training...slightly.
Soon after the impromptu meeting I realized that I was no longer confined to the area. My chains had been broken. All of the possibilities began swarming in. I had made plans to go down to the school with a recently developed good friend, Allison, to visit with our mutual friends. Maria called and invited me to go to Lobster Fest this evening, a wonderful gathering of folks listening to live music and cracking the fresh, crisp shells of local lobsters; all while hanging out along the beach of the Long Island Sound.
It then occurred that a trip home, to upstate NY was still a possibility. I had originally intended on making my way north to drop off an order of wine to a local restaurant, the Aroma Thyme Bistro. Last week I did a tasting/drinking/meal combination event at the gathering spot. The results were a group excessively jolly individuals with saturated palates and swelling stomachs and a new reach for Long Island wines. Paumanok wines were well accepted by the owners, a fabulous pair who established this petite piece of heaven with a focus on healthy, local foods. We made plans to deliver the wines at my convenience, but of course I'd rather get them there sooner rather than later.
In addition to the vitis vinifera that will be experienced by a new crowd, my grandparents are visiting from Florida. This past weekend was my cousin's graduation from university and they made the trek to his school, further upstate from my home, and they are staying at my uncle's lakeside cabin nearby to my home. It's always a good idea to see family when the opportunity arises, even if we might not share all that much in common...
...So I meant to continue writing and finish up a bit more as it was helping me to decide whether or not the trip would be worthwhile. However, I'm not writing from the front porch of my home upstate, drinking a Spaten premium brew from Munich. I just returned from a mosquito drenched hike to the tender little spot that I've been hanging my hammock. Since I returned home during the light of day, I thought it a grand idea to spend the time getting my hammock set up properly, as opposed to fuddling around by the light of a headlamp later on.
This somewhat relates back to my previous post, but it's an issue I believe should be continued. While hiking along the seldom traveled road towards the path, down into the stream bed and through the ferns along the creekside, I couldn't help but conjure up a small degree of paranoia. I can't be certain if it's because of the encounter I had during my last hammock session above that creek in which a neighbor stopped Brian and I on our hike out, questioning our presence. Or it might be because I'm not terribly comfortable with any of my neighbors. I'm not sure who's property I'll be sleeping on and I'm hoping not to wake up to some angry hillbilly with a shotgun pointed into the tightly knit bug net that serves as my only protection. While I was hanging my bed and swatting at a small portion of the mosquitoes that were constantly penetrating my skin, I kept and eye and ear out for anyone passing through the woodlands. My hike out, lightened with the excretion of my hammock, bug net, tree hugger straps and sleeping bag, was done with the utmost effort in stealthy progression so as not to tip off my whereabouts from my sure-to-be-listening neighbors... Who am I kidding, these folks are most likely inside watching the latest reality television shows, getting ready to eat their pre-cooked roasted chicken from the local grocers - at least I'm hoping.
Again, I'm hoping that my paranoia is not well founded and that there really isn't a problem to worry about. My own philosophy can't justify the need for others to be concerned that I'm sleeping over a creek, even if it happens to be in their backyard. I might understand the shock if an individual happened upon my cocoon during their morning walk, or if I was easily visible from their back steps, however neither of these are likely to occur. The former has a greater chance of happening and I might even encourage the event if the individual was walking with a light step from jolly emotions. Hopefully then they wouldn't be terribly shocked and upset when they happened upon my place. I imagine a pleasant conversation with the "owner" of the land in which we discuss the hammock's comfort, the simple pleasures of sleeping directly above the lightly flowing creek and the extreme benefit that a good bug net brings. The conversation would come to a close with the discussion of hammocking on the individual's land. We would decide that it's not an issue, just make sure not to hike out into other people's backyards, 'cause you never know who's awaitin' behind the door.
I'm looking back at the title I gave this post, "Serendipitous Confusion," feeling that I didn't get the chance to address the title. Once my professor left the Love Lane Kitchen I wasn't sure of what to do. I now had to world open to me. Although I had some informal plans set on the Forks, I knew that there was a reason I wanted to make the trip upstate. Along my travels I stopped by Brenda's in Astoria. While it was a brief stop, it was enough to put a smile on her face, the only goal I had. An added bonus was a scrumptious sandwich and a comfortable couch to cuddle on...wow, I hope that's not misinterpreted as me trudging in, demanding her to make me a sam'ich while I put my feet up for a few. I assure you that was not the way it happened, I don't have the wherewithal to act in such a way, at least in a serious manner - I'm far too childish.
And now I must return to the human subject training, making sure that this damn thing gets done soon. Gladly, there are plenty more Spaten in the fridge and my stomach is once again full.
Rolling out of the comfort of my sheets around 8:15am, I gathered my thoughts, cleaned up, slightly, and made it to LLK. After the usual 5 minute BS session I quickly jumped into my work and was making slow, yet diligent progress. The wording of the documents are all done in such a way to create as much confusion as possible and restrict the understanding capacity to only those truly dedicated to completing the Training. Ok, I might be exaggerating a bit, but it was a pain in the arss.
At around 11:30, in walks my professor, who I'm supposed to be meeting on campus in 30 minutes. It's good to know that we both run on the same schedule: late. Anyway, seeing that I was well into the Training and I had enough papers spread across the table that cleaning it up and heading to the South Fork for a meeting that I'm not yet ready for didn't make sense, we talked briefly about what I needed to do. It seems that I have a good understanding of what needs to be done, it's just a matter of doing it... good to know. We decided on meeting up next week to cover a preliminary proposal that hopefully satisfies the Research Committee's requests. She walked out, continued on her journey South to teach her class and I returned my focus to the Training...slightly.
Soon after the impromptu meeting I realized that I was no longer confined to the area. My chains had been broken. All of the possibilities began swarming in. I had made plans to go down to the school with a recently developed good friend, Allison, to visit with our mutual friends. Maria called and invited me to go to Lobster Fest this evening, a wonderful gathering of folks listening to live music and cracking the fresh, crisp shells of local lobsters; all while hanging out along the beach of the Long Island Sound.
It then occurred that a trip home, to upstate NY was still a possibility. I had originally intended on making my way north to drop off an order of wine to a local restaurant, the Aroma Thyme Bistro. Last week I did a tasting/drinking/meal combination event at the gathering spot. The results were a group excessively jolly individuals with saturated palates and swelling stomachs and a new reach for Long Island wines. Paumanok wines were well accepted by the owners, a fabulous pair who established this petite piece of heaven with a focus on healthy, local foods. We made plans to deliver the wines at my convenience, but of course I'd rather get them there sooner rather than later.
In addition to the vitis vinifera that will be experienced by a new crowd, my grandparents are visiting from Florida. This past weekend was my cousin's graduation from university and they made the trek to his school, further upstate from my home, and they are staying at my uncle's lakeside cabin nearby to my home. It's always a good idea to see family when the opportunity arises, even if we might not share all that much in common...
...So I meant to continue writing and finish up a bit more as it was helping me to decide whether or not the trip would be worthwhile. However, I'm not writing from the front porch of my home upstate, drinking a Spaten premium brew from Munich. I just returned from a mosquito drenched hike to the tender little spot that I've been hanging my hammock. Since I returned home during the light of day, I thought it a grand idea to spend the time getting my hammock set up properly, as opposed to fuddling around by the light of a headlamp later on.
This somewhat relates back to my previous post, but it's an issue I believe should be continued. While hiking along the seldom traveled road towards the path, down into the stream bed and through the ferns along the creekside, I couldn't help but conjure up a small degree of paranoia. I can't be certain if it's because of the encounter I had during my last hammock session above that creek in which a neighbor stopped Brian and I on our hike out, questioning our presence. Or it might be because I'm not terribly comfortable with any of my neighbors. I'm not sure who's property I'll be sleeping on and I'm hoping not to wake up to some angry hillbilly with a shotgun pointed into the tightly knit bug net that serves as my only protection. While I was hanging my bed and swatting at a small portion of the mosquitoes that were constantly penetrating my skin, I kept and eye and ear out for anyone passing through the woodlands. My hike out, lightened with the excretion of my hammock, bug net, tree hugger straps and sleeping bag, was done with the utmost effort in stealthy progression so as not to tip off my whereabouts from my sure-to-be-listening neighbors... Who am I kidding, these folks are most likely inside watching the latest reality television shows, getting ready to eat their pre-cooked roasted chicken from the local grocers - at least I'm hoping.
Again, I'm hoping that my paranoia is not well founded and that there really isn't a problem to worry about. My own philosophy can't justify the need for others to be concerned that I'm sleeping over a creek, even if it happens to be in their backyard. I might understand the shock if an individual happened upon my cocoon during their morning walk, or if I was easily visible from their back steps, however neither of these are likely to occur. The former has a greater chance of happening and I might even encourage the event if the individual was walking with a light step from jolly emotions. Hopefully then they wouldn't be terribly shocked and upset when they happened upon my place. I imagine a pleasant conversation with the "owner" of the land in which we discuss the hammock's comfort, the simple pleasures of sleeping directly above the lightly flowing creek and the extreme benefit that a good bug net brings. The conversation would come to a close with the discussion of hammocking on the individual's land. We would decide that it's not an issue, just make sure not to hike out into other people's backyards, 'cause you never know who's awaitin' behind the door.
I'm looking back at the title I gave this post, "Serendipitous Confusion," feeling that I didn't get the chance to address the title. Once my professor left the Love Lane Kitchen I wasn't sure of what to do. I now had to world open to me. Although I had some informal plans set on the Forks, I knew that there was a reason I wanted to make the trip upstate. Along my travels I stopped by Brenda's in Astoria. While it was a brief stop, it was enough to put a smile on her face, the only goal I had. An added bonus was a scrumptious sandwich and a comfortable couch to cuddle on...wow, I hope that's not misinterpreted as me trudging in, demanding her to make me a sam'ich while I put my feet up for a few. I assure you that was not the way it happened, I don't have the wherewithal to act in such a way, at least in a serious manner - I'm far too childish.
And now I must return to the human subject training, making sure that this damn thing gets done soon. Gladly, there are plenty more Spaten in the fridge and my stomach is once again full.
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