Tag: Tim Flannery

Self-interest, love, and war

We must guard against the siren song of self-interest if we are to live in a fair and equitable society.” – Here On Earth, p. 14

With due respect to Flannery, unfortunately this is just the kind of thinking that’s causing many of our problems. We don’t need to AVOID self-interest, we need to RETHINK our self-interest.

We need to see that in reality our self-interest is consistent and in harmony with the good of the community, others, and the environment.

I don’t mean this the way Ayn Rand would. Please let me explain. (more…)

July 26, 2015 Add Comment

Reading Here on Earth

Here on Earth by Tim Flannery

Tim Flannery is an Australian biologist and global warming activist, currently head of the Climate Council – a nonprofit dedicated to educating Australians about climate change. In 2010 he published Here on Earth, in which he outlines the history of Homo sapiens’ effects on the Earth’s biological systems. In telling the long, tragic story of mankind’s relationship with the planet, he explains such things as how the planet formed from galactic gas and dust, why poverty causes foolish behavior, and why certain strains in American culture can be blamed for global environmental degradation. All in all a fascinating book, which served the purpose for which I picked it up – to gain a better understanding of the large issues underlying global warming.

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July 7, 2015 Add Comment