I've started reading Simone de Beauvoir's book, "The Second Sex"

[bloom]

A couple snips (relating to the past and to the future):

(referring to the bronze age) "...And this project is still not enough to explain why she was oppressed; for the division of labor between sexes could have meant a friendly association. If the original relation between a man and his fellows were exclusively one of friendship, we could not account for any type of enslavement; but no, this phenomenon is a result of the imperialism of the human consciousness, seeing always to exercise its sovereignty in objective fashion. If the human consciousness had not included the original category of the Other and an original aspiration to dominate the Other, the invention of the bronze tool could not have caused the oppression of women." (pg. 64)

"Man's design is not to repeat himself in time: it is to take control of the instant and mold the future. It is male activity that in creating values has made of existence itself a value; this activity has prevailed over the confused forces of life; it has subdued Nature and Woman."(pg. 74)

_____

I was reading this after reading a post about Hawking who was quoted as saying that to preserve the species we (or some of us) must go to another planet.

So what it says to me is that with the proclivity of the males of the species to forever be imposing themselves and subduing the earth - there is no hope for the planet (or any other planet). It seems that men (in general - esp. those in power) cannot conceive of the idea of living simply and sustainably on the earth.

If we could get people on a path (against the tide of the millennia that says otherwise) of NOT subduing the earth - but of merely keeping life going - our species might have a chance. But that is not good enough for most men - it is to abandon ambition - and to enjoy existence for it's own sake - not for ego's sake. (This is similar to Eisler's idea about the partnership society as opposed to the domination one that we have - but de Beauvior goes for a more existential/philosophical debate about it).

Hawkings remedy is all about the ego. Others suggest creating some kind of huge shield to block the sun - also an ego thing. I don't think there is much hope, really.

[Warpy]

1. I know a lot of men who live simply and sustainably on this earth

Some of them are in agricultural communes. Others are organic farmers. Still others are on reservations. They all have a different way of looking at things, but they're all committed to living within nature, not trying to twist it out of shape in the name of profit, domination, whatever.

Hawking was talking through his hat, though, you've certainly got that part right. Without a great deal of care, any other planet would soon look like this one without a great change in the human psyche. If that change happens, we might as well just stay in the home we were designed for.

[bloom]

2. The men that I respect the most

that I know personally are the ones who live lightly and respect the earth and women. I think those things go together.

[Warpy]

4. They certainly do in my experience

Good on ya for pointing that out.

[ismnotwasm]

3. Hawkings knows it's not possible

Not in his or our lifetimes. The science isn't there. It's fun to speculate on what may be possible, but then I'm a sci fi fan. I wonder if what he said wasn't taken a bit out of context.
The sad, bad part is it may be too late. We don't know when we will reach carrying capacity of the world for it's population. Or if technological advances will save us. "Us" including second and third world countries who are already suffering.
There is no projected decline in population, and overpopulation is not a hot topic right now as is global warming. It should be. One of those things scientist argue a lot about, whether the carrying capacity of the earth is 10 billion or so. I guess we'll find out when it happens.

In that context, reproductive AND equal rights for women, as well as the end of patriarchy, are essential. I personally believe unless balance is achieved, we'll continue conquer and subdue, rather than learn to live with the world we have. I like that quote, I think I'll pick up the book-- I haven't read it.

I've never thought about star or planet exploration as an extension of the male ego, but a lot sci-fi fiction (the only area where it's explored)definitely tells cautionary tales about "human beings" (not specifically male) repeating their mistakes, ie imposing our will on other species, ruining environments, or destroying ourselves in interstellar wars and the like. So it makes a considerable amount of sense.

We can't save ourselves if we don't have somewhere to stand while doing it. Another ugly symbolism that plays out in my mind is rape-- of the earth's general enviroment, it's resources, it's atmosphere. We see the effects of that repeated gang rape everywhere and in everything. Like physical rape, it seems to be accepted as a norm (I don't mean normal of course, I mean no one is shocked and horrified like they should be at each and every rape. No one, except perhaps feminists, imagine a world without rape-ever) when it's an atrocity as well as a symbol of a very sick society.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

5. Overpopulation is the biggest threat to the Earth, IMHO

Even if polluting, resource-hogging countries like the U.S. are finally able to constrain ourselves, the simple fact is that doubling the world's population every few years is a recipe for untold disaster. Patriarchy has got to go! And yet another reason I will not be sad to see the last of the Chimp is that with the next President, there is a chance that we can restore funding to the U.N. for contraception and reproductive health services.

[bloom]

6. I've been thinking about how

science fiction - esp. dreams of space as well as the whole entertainment field in general (TV/movies) - the fantasy life - has exploded following WWII and the atomic age.

I think it's how people are coping with living on a planet as we know it to be more tenuous. It is interesting - the cautionary tale aspect. How some people are trying to get their message through. "ie imposing our will on other species, ruining environments"

And I think it's odd how obsessed people have gotten about prolonging every individual life (extreme healthcare)- moreso than thinking about the whole earth. As if we could get everyone to live to be 100 (or those rich enough to afford it) - than our problems on earth would be solved.


I would also like for people to see rape as a manifestation of a sick society. One that is in the need of fixing.


Recently I was skimming some other philosophers like Hegel and Spinoza and noticed how it was philosophy for men. While this may be obvious to some - it just really hit me how nothing of what is commonly taught as people's viewpoint of life is from the woman's perspective. It seems that people are supposed to assume that philosophy from the male perspective is the same as philosophy from the female perspective. I think Hegel - in referring to power and such - mentioned women in the context of the property of men. So it was clear that what he was talking about was NOT the experience of women.

Simone de Beauvior got that and this book is her answer. I highly recommend it.

[ismnotwasm]

7. I usually don't make New Year resolutions, but

I will this year. This one will be to take an entire year to read women authors only, Philosophy, Science, Fiction, Non-fiction, history, even and maybe especially my beloved Science fiction. Got the idea from from Inda Muscio.
I agree we have been taught from a male point of view, women who have recognized this and write in and of traditionally male topics or any other topic have an incredible amount to teach me. I'm looking forward to it! I don't know whether to make a list or let my reading muse guide me.

I wonder if the desire to watch or read about other planets/alien cultures etc. reduces anxiety about the actual condition of our planet? It's easy to feel helpless, and it's also easy to have a childlike response or solution-- like exploring other star systems. From everything I've read, not only is the science not there, neither is the money. Unless something drastically changes, the idea will stay in the realm of fantasy or futuristic thinking. The "money" isn't going to save the earth we live on either.

Prolonging life. It's not directly related, but I think of the skyrocketing rates of asthma in children, especially in highly polluted areas. Usually poor children. Something that could be addressed right now and gets a news article once in a while.
While we fit people with fancy heart defibrillator's, while medical science is more and more sophisticated in treating disease and illness, preventative care or teaching in the community especially the community poor, often falls to community nurses, who are for the most part female.