INTERESTING TIMES

 When you focus on being normal, you exclude the possibility of being extraordinary.

Worldwide 4-H has over 6.8 million members in 80 countries. Now Monsanto is funding 4-H--I would suspect in exchange for the chance to mold young minds. So far they have provided the children with pro-GMO booklets about the "benefits" of genetically modified organisms. If Monsanto can get inside the heads of youth, they can change attitudes about GMO's society-wide. It will work if there is not an equal and opposite force educating the children about the hazards of genetic modification of our food supply. You can be part of that force. The last thing we need is an entire planet beholden to an evil empire which makes seeds infertile.

SOURCE
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/12/31/monsanto-4-h-programs.aspx

People demand freedom of speech
as a compensation for
the freedom of thought
which they seldom use.
-Kirkegaard

http://www.postcarbon.org/blog-post/523782-memo-to-the-occupied-movement-a

His point: we need a new paradigm, because the era of oil-fueled expansion, growth and "progress" is OVER. The new paradigm must involve a sustainable economic model which will be more local.

At least, that's what I heard on the radio. Whenever I hear that "Everybody" says something, I am immediately suspicious. Everybody? OK then, what jobs do we want? Jobs with health insurance, and a paycheck, right? How about a desk, a telephone, and a computer? A window? A coffee maker? Boy now we're talking about the kind of job I could go for. But is that really what we need? I mean WHAT DO WE NEED?

I think we need a bunch of adventurous entrepreneurs to figure out what it is that we really need, and get busy developing the means of production. I went to naturopathic medical school because I see natural medicine as a sustainable and beneficial profession in which I can continue to serve no matter what the economic condition of my community. I am going to offer my assistance, and I trust that my knowledge and service will be of adequate value to allow me to live a good life.

I don't want a job!!! Jobs for me have been dead ends, places where I can get comfortable while my life drains away doing someone else's work. When do I get to do MY work? To be creative? To do my good for the world?? I saw this culture headed for the brink a long time ago. And it's still headed that way. I want to create a window to a better future.

What do we really need after all? A safe and comfortable place to call our own. It doesn't have to be fancy. We all need shelter, somewhere to keep our pillow and toothbrush. We all need fresh water, and good food, and we all need touch and love. That's about it! Jobs and insurance are figments of this paradigm that's headed for the drink.

( today's news: U.S. poverty rate rises to 15.1 percent, number of uninsured Americans hits record high  )

Shit can only pile so high before it falls over.
--Anorah's Aunt Sarah in WV, speaking of outhouses...and life

The author here point out that the new generation of US college grads are ill-prepared for the world that they are confronted with. And he explains it in generational terms. The theme of the Boomer era was self-discovery, freedom and expression. The theme for this new generation of graduates will be different, but it is not clear that any of their teachers are preparing them for success. The successful young adult is beginning to make sacred commitments — to a spouse, a community and calling — yet mostly hears about freedom and autonomy.

It's Not About You
by David Brooks
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/31/opinion/31brooks.html?_r=3

Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.
--Arthur C. Clarke

One can resist the invasion of an army but one cannot resist the invasion of ideas.
--Victor Hugo