Food porn
There it lay on the table: the Williams-Sonoma holiday catalog. Emotions ran through me, disgust that I’d made it on their mailing list, lust for the images of sticky buns and crumpets that lay inside. Most of all, I felt exhausted. Exhausted because I knew that soon I’d be searching the store’s web site looking for information on how to get off their mailing list—and the web sites of four other retailers and nonprofits who’d sent me unsolicited mail that day.
Why? Because—like you—I care, dammit. Because I can’t stand the thought of the wasted trees, trucks and whatever else it took to bring that mail to me—mail that I didn’t want in the first place. I think this urge to not waste is a good impulse. Certainly if we’re going to share this world into the future, many of us are going to have to consume a lot less. But the exhaustion, the contraction I felt at that moment told me something: in my effort to turn off the tap of careless waste that flows through my life, I am pinching off the larger flow of life.
Among many greens, the low-impact ethic at the heart of “reduce, reuse, recycle” can begin to look like “shrink, contract, retreat” if we are not careful. This contraction takes many forms, one of which is the vilification of money. For many of us, wealth has a suspicious stink—that of the burning of sold souls—that is avoided, consciously or unconsciously. “Wealthy” is often used as a derogatory term among green circles, and Heaven help the spiritual teacher who charges richly for his or her services. Never mind that many of us would identify spiritual growth as something of the highest value; those who can help us along the path should do it for free! At the heart of this tendency is a contraction, a shrinking away from life energy—in this case, life energy in the form of money. Money is (arguably) the greatest lever for wielding power in society, but in our refusal to engage it we leave it in the greedy hands of those with more self-interested values.
Power! “Power corrupts,” and therefore we should stay meek, powerless, and pure. Our world cannot afford this mindset anymore, least of all in those interested in the welfare of other people and the planet. As one teacher pointed out to me, our greatest heroes—Gandhi, Mother Theresa, Martin Luther King—were tremendously ambitious people. I think within many of us “go with the flow” postmodern, yoga- and gardening-loving types there is a deep urge to kick ass, in the spirit of these great beings. Now is the time to follow this urge.
Finally, you baby-boomers looking for that perfect slice of rural real estate, where you will build your off-the-grid, eco-friendly retirement home, do not let your urge to reduce your impact and retreat into the wilds blind you! The world cannot afford millions more spending their life savings on clearing more lots and driveways, building more hobby farms, and outfitting second homes with solar panels. Every back-to-the-land effort and green building project in this age must produce something more than self satisfaction: mentor others in what you have learned (in life or at your hobby farm); make your project a teaching site; make it produce power, plants and products that you can share with your neighbors and the broader world.
Do you care about people, about the Earth? Do not let your efforts to reduce your environmental footprint reduce your impact in the world. Our world needs more caring people who are willing to exert influence, to own their power, to utilize wealth for good. To think “beyond green” means not just consuming less than those who came before, but being more.
Among many greens, the low-impact ethic at the heart of “reduce, reuse, recycle” can begin to look like “shrink, contract, retreat” if we are not careful. This contraction takes many forms, one of which is the vilification of money
it’s true and it’s true for me. mm. thought provoking. because i simultaneously think that one of the ways to being greener is to work together, for example sharing infrequently used things.
i also like the closing paragraphs. sometimes there is a smug self-satisfaction that comes with being green but i think you are right to say that any green project should be used to help others.
having less but being more perhaps.
thanks for an interesting post
Talk of wealth and power certainly strikes a chord, or dis chord, with me. Do I avoid wealth and power, consciously or unconsciously? Seems like I take it when I can get it, but am quite clearly conscious of not letting the desire for it rule my decisions and life choices. I chose farming not for the money, but I am quite conscious of the struggle to get a fair return for our labor. I may have chose this path for the power, at least self-empowerment.
It is an interesting thought that money is an embodiment of life energy. It has been my view that desire for security, the other side of the coin from fear, drives our over consumption and hoarding of wealth. And certainly this is quite common in nature: making hay while the sun shines. Fear of starvation is real and justified. The Old Testament Story of Joseph who deciphered the Pharaoh’s dream that foretold of seven good years followed by seven of famine comes to mind. Store up reserves in the good years, he advised, so that in times of famine the people can be fed. And so brought the Israelites into the kingdom of Egypt. Not a bad idea.
Yet, is there not a point at which we succumb to unjustified fears in our desire for wealth. Are we not so often manipulated by fear? Is fear perhaps the great enemy of enlightenment?
Re: above comment: Brian and his wife Angie are on the cutting edge of agricultural and social sustainability in North Dakota. Check out http://www.riverboundfarm.com/
Great article James…
I think you’ve struck a paradox within many of your readers, certainly me. Those with social and environmental empathies, I would speculate, generally have a tendency towards certain socialistic ideals. Let’s do good for all, since all are connected… However, the money and power in our country are often not rewarded for those ideals.
We are an individualistic nation, where capitalism inspires competition in a race for wealth and power — and retirement (such a weird concept, but that’s another post). This competitive nature within the structure of capitalism has also yielded us, as a species, great advances in medicine and technology. However, I would argue those advances are putting unbearable stress on the environment. And that our “success” is causing a population imbalance with other species and natural systems…
As a result of our higher quality of life and specialization, their are some who are reexamining “success” out of need and long-term vision. A redefined economic philosophy, the “triple-bottom line”, where business leaders integrate social, environmental, and economic values for creating a healthier more prosperous economy and community. People, Planet, and Profit. Because you can’t really spend your money and pass on your inheritance if there’s chaos in our social and environmental systems. Unless, you’re Branson and are trying to advance civilization into space.
Speaking of the wealthy, you’re probably familiar with “The Giving Pledge”. It’s an effort to invite the wealthiest individuals and families in America to commit to giving the majority of their wealth to the philanthropic causes and charitable organizations of their choice either during their lifetime or after their death. Founded by Bill Gates and Warren Buffet… An example of how capital gains inspire philanthropy in some.
Great and generous idea, however, until we develop a more sustainable way to coexist with the other species on this planet, it’s not fixing our bigger problems… Gates may end all disease in 3rd world countries, but that will only stress our resources due to population increases that we cannot sustain given our current lifestyle practices…
One of the more promising areas of research I’m aware of is Biomimicry, the science and art of emulating Nature’s best biological ideas to solve human problems. Organic farming is certainly an example of this… The field is also researching architecture, urban development, energy, and medicine. Pretty amazing! Actually, looking beyond humans for the answers of how to live in harmony with the planet!
Thanks for a thoughtful article… I think you’re right on, it’s not enough to just “green” yourself…
It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d without a doubt donate to this brilliant blog! I suppose for now i’ll settle for bookmarking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to brand new updates and will talk about this blog with my Facebook group. Talk soon!
[...] we will soak in hot springs, take long hikes, have long mornings of lovemaking, eat delicious sticky buns, finally get the house organized. What a dreamer I am. This always happens when I have a break, [...]