what do you think is a sustainable way to live?

[jesuitsdidit]

what do you think is a sustainable way to live?
ie
how many litres of gasoline/oil should each human burn a year?
what do you think is a sustainable global human population?
how much electricity can we justify using per year each?

have we got it right?
is the planet suffering due to our actions?
can we consume more?
should we consume less?
do you accept there is a cost for each new human life in terms of trees/plants removed to create farmland and competition for resources with other species?
where do you draw the line on pesticides / artificial fertilisers - all, some or none?

maybe this is something ppl wd like to discuss??

[mountain]

To live the natural way, like Natives and other tribesmen. They respect the land, give thanks to animals for their offerings etc etc. Things were balanced and the air and water were clean, there was no need to filter it.

[void]

Watch some of Ray Mear's Wild Foods, for what is probably the most in-tune way of living which he has learnt from the skills of existing tribal cultures worldwide and from archaeological evidence of the ancient past, that respects the surroundings and doesn't take more than is required. But, hardly anyone would go into this lifestyle voluntarily now. Most are way too habituated to our various goodies and comforts to truly cut our line to the system. Much of what we enjoy (even this internet we're using) means we have to be plugged into the system at differnet levels. Electrical companys, telcommunications companys, tecnology companies selling the P.C. You name it, each thing we enjoy in modern life makes us a slave to the system we rely on to keep enjoying them. But with each month I'm getting more and more serious within myself to look into possibilitys for living outside of the system as much as possible. It's not an easy life style. It requires (funnily enough) lots of hard work and total responsibility. But all that hard work would be for me and my living, and not being a wage slave to big companies raking in the profts while giving me minimum wage. I've lived a very simple life before in another country in this way, with minimal contact with 'society' as such, and the difference in how you feel is unbelievable. Only when you're back in the system do you notice how horrendously damaging to the human spirit it often is. I came back because of what I mentioned above. Habituation to all the goodies. But nowadays I'm more mature and in a position to leave all that behind if need be. I've seen that all the hell you have to go through on a wage slave daily basis just to get those goodies, really isn't worth it.

[jesuitsdidit]

To live the natural way, like Natives and other tribesmen. They respect the land, give thanks to animals for their offerings etc etc. Things were balanced and the air and water were clean, there was no need to filter it.

yes, i believe this is right
i think when we live like this earth becomes a paradise
it is our irrhythmical modern life that turns earth into a hell..

[jesuitsdidit]

but there again would cave men have known about incoming asteroids
or wdnt they care
maybe technology has its uses??

[smoke n mirrors]

what do you think is a sustainable way to live?

I would have to agree with Mountains comments.

The crazy thing is we have all but wiped out two of the most successful examples of this way of life. The American Indian tribes and the Australian Aborigines. I'm sure they appreciate the fact that we imposed our interpretation of civilisation upon them. While at the same time virtually removing their entire gene pool/populations, heritage, great knowledge and wisdom.

Unfortunately many of the skills required to achieve this goal have been lost, in our quest for convenience and an easy dumb arsed fictitious life style.

The ability for the vast majority of us has been removed, due in part to our own ignorance and or arrogance, plus copious lies from dysfunctional people we empower to rule our lives. The private ownership of land and inland water is a fundamental cause! As it totally removes a Man/Woman the right to pursue a self sustaining and ethical life style.

how many litres of gasoline/oil should each human burn a year?
how much electricity can we justify using per year each?

How much petrol did we burn in the 1800 and early 1900's? I guess that would be as good a guide as any. Not too much! You could also apply the same bench mark to the use of electricity. If we were following our own natural rhythms we would automatically use less of most things. If you wake when it gets light and sleep when it becomes dark your requirements would reduce.

You would also need people to decide what they would be happy to do with out. Which is the biggest single obstacle. The vast majority would not be prepared to sacrifice very much of their creature comforts.

what do you think is a sustainable global human population?

If we were able to follow a natural existence, the sustainable population would reveal its self.

Have we got it right?

Humm IMO NO! Nor did the generations before us. We have inherited our current incarceration within the present system. We need to break the cycle!

is the planet suffering due to our actions?

I don't think we are doing the planet any favors. Our general disregard for the living things that share this planet with us, undoubtedly suffer as a result.

can we consume more?

We are gluttonous so of course we can consume more.

should we consume less?

We should consume what we physically need no more and no less.

do you accept there is a cost for each new human life in terms of trees/plants removed to create farmland and competition for resources with other species?

Yes its a natural occurrence. If we were to return to a natural order there would be a radical change to the current imbalance.

where do you draw the line on pesticides / artificial fertilisers - all, some or none?

Personally I would rather see none. Even in our current position, we could make better use of our agricultural land. Increased planting would compensate for the fall per acre yield. If we rejected the imposed policies, of the EU, our farmers could make better use of our resources.

Why are we arrogant enough to think, we have evolved at such a rate, that we could possibly believe, that we can conform to ridiculous social constraints, imposed by a modern society?

If people were able to accept, that we are essentially all here and genetically programed to perform a few tasks...Eat, Sleep, Procreate plus an overwhelming desire too survive and protect our offspring. In simple terms all living things want much the same thing...to see the next sun rise and survive.

We really don't need very much to achieve those things. I doubt you would hear too many people say they were bored!

[smoke n mirrors]

but there again would cave men have known about incoming asteroids
or wdnt they care
maybe technology has its uses??

Ignorance is bliss! If there was an inbound asteroid 5 miles out an I knew, I doubt I would be too bothered. On the other hand if some crazy F/wit launched a nuke I would be really pissed as we would have failed to stop an unnatural event.

[jesuitsdidit]

Ignorance is bliss! If there was an inbound asteroid 5 miles out an I knew, I doubt I would be too bothered. On the other hand if some crazy F/wit launched a nuke I would be really pissed as we would have failed to stop an unnatural event.

yes, i rather subscribe to this view
the question is will nature demand we live in accordance with her wishes
ie the more we try to control her and avoid her wishes the more 'angry' will be her response??

[mightiswrong]

The vast majority would not be prepared to sacrifice very much of their creature comforts.

The thing is that the sacrifice we have made is to the system. Look at the facts. You can have a lovely cozy home filled with and constructed with love, abundant fresh food, great relationships and optimum health and all of this without having to work your but off for the system. It's a no brainer really.

[unusual_suspect]

To live the natural way, like Natives and other tribesmen. They respect the land, give thanks to animals for their offerings etc etc. Things were balanced and the air and water were clean, there was no need to filter it.

For sure, that would be paradise :), do you think it would be possible now to return to that way of life?