Ronald Wright

So, last night Ronald Wright, author of 'A Short History of Progress' and 'A Scientific Romance' came to speak at my residence. Considering I'd never heard of him before, I was thoroughly impressed. He spoke about how we as a global community are going to reach the point of a progress trap. We'll have progressed so much that we are a threat to ourselves. I believe what he says. This is what happened to the Incas, and those who lived on Easter Island. A lot of people think that Easter island was always bare of trees, as it is now. Absolutely the contrary. It used to be full of trees and flora/fauna. But, the islanders were so intent on making these stone statues that they completely disregarded the future. They believed that God would come and save them all, reward them, in fact, for having made such beautiful tributes. Did that happen? Um, no.

When the islanders cut down their last tree, they knew it would be their last. Is that what we're going to be like with our resources? It's such a scary thought. Everything right now is about money. Our governments and economic systems are about profit. They look forward for the next three years, not the next century. Considering how much our population has grown in recent history, we could very well be setting ourselves up for serious issues. Hello, global warming? Although, I did come across a hard core right wing girl last night who doesn't believe in global warming, and thinks I'm stupid for believing the scientists. In her mind, they're all out to make us scared? Well, if that's true, what are they getting out of it? Really, these are the people who represent the right wing? Scary.

In short, I've already put his two books on hold. I want to know more! I want to know what he thinks we can do to stop this from happening. During the Q&A period I asked "well, is it realistic that we can change political, economic and global mindsets in enough time to prevent harm from happening on a grand scale?" Wright said that the world is slowly waking up. The globe and mail, last week, had the entire front page on the environment. The Bush administration admits they should have been starting to do something six years ago. People are admitting they are wrong, and things will change. He has hope.

Yet, I was totally discouraged when listening to people like this girl I spoke of, who are so set in their ways. She is 19 years old, but KNOWS she's right. Nothing could deter her. She won't inform herself properly, but listens to propoganda that suits her beliefs. When people are so ignorant, and choose to stay ignorant, how can we change in enough time? Well, Mr Wright has hope, and I think we all should try to also.