Diamond disagrees on two counts: The first is that technology has created "an explosion" of problems and the potential for solving them. Yet, the first thing that occurs is technology creates the problem and then maybe later it solves it, so at best there is a lag (or as noted above a reaction, rather than a proactive stance). Second, an environmental lesson repeated again and again is that it is much less expensive and more effective to prevent a problem from the start than to solve it by high technology later on.
Environmentally, much of the world is in both of these situations noted by Diamond. First, people are just beginning to recognize the environmental problem. Years of concerns by environmentalists did not influence the average consumer. Al Gore's movie and other media pushes have put the idea of global warming and the need to be "green," into the forefront. However, as Diamond states, there is a lag between when something is done and if and when it has an impact. Also, the concessions that people are making are not that extensive: Some people are buying hybrid cars; some are using green products; some are recycling. It definitely is not part of total cultural values. In addition, are people willing to make the concessions that will be necessary to either solve or at least reduce the environmental problems? The costs will be huge.
Just as important, the technology addicts as Glendinning calls them, would have to reduce or even stop their use of certain activities that they have become more than used to. Just as the alcoholic is not able to do without his drinks, can the average person "proactively" cut energy use by a sizeable amount through carpooling, walking/riding a bike, cutting unnecessary travel, greatly reducing heating/cooling systems, etc., etc., Does this person care enough to do so, or will he/she wait until there is no other choice?
Glendinning writes about disassociate behavior that occurs when people have difficulties getting what they need. What it is like in other parts of the country is unknown, but here it is possible to see the
There is more road rage, rudeness among people in public settings (such as the grocery store) and short tempers at work. Much of the politeness and etiquette has disappeared. Yesterday it was reported that one out of every 100 people in the U.S. are in prison, the highest number in the world.
If there is this unconscious part inside of humans that is directing traffic outside of consciousness, what is it doing, will it do, to survive -- or the basic instinct of animals? Will it continue to react rather than be proactive for immediate gratification? It is so dependent on today's technology and what it brings that it cannot divorce itself? or, will it recognize the future threat and begin to take proactive measures to resolve major problems, so people can continue to survive? Diamond ends his chapter on a down note:
We forget that conditions fluctuate and we may not be able to anticipate when conditions will change. By that time, we may already have become attached to an expensive lifestyle, leaving an enforced diminished lifestyle or bankruptcy as the sole outs."
References
Carey, D. (July 31, 2007) Who's Minding the Mind? New York Times February 29, 2008 http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/31/health/psychology/31subl.html
Diamond, J. (2006) Collapse: How societies choose to fail or succeed. New York: Penguin Books.
Garrett, K. (January 12, 2003). Why societies fail: An interview with Jared Diamond. ABC National Radio. February 28, 2008. http://www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/bbing/stories/s743310.htm
Glendinning, C. Technology, trauma and the wild (1995) in Ecopsychology: Restoring the Earth, Healing the Mind Washington, DC: Sierra Club Books
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