Sustainability Notes

"In every age, we have learned that
learning WILL take place...

Look therefore to yourself; for you
are the example. It is from you that
the future will be built. By your very
actions, you re-create portions of the
past and create for the first time,
the world yet to be."

"The evolution of technology is a
miniature prototype of the evolution of
mankind's tools. Once the first tool
improved the human situation, a process
started that will never stop. Our
ancestors got that ball rolling by being
human.

It is my responsibility and it is your
responsibility to DIRECT that ball. We
cannot stop it or increase its speed.
We cannot wish it away."

"Progress cannot be reversed. It WILL
take place because the human being is
by nature looking for a better way.
Humans learn from experience. Then they
apply what they learn to each next
situation.

The question therefore is, 'What impact
can we have on Progress?' Herein lies
the balance between prayer and
innovation - between hoping and trying
- between wishing and doing. We can
have an awesome impact!"

"Have you ever been amazed at what an
animal can do when it is performing its
best skills in its native element? That is
how one must feel about the evolution of
the human race. Here we see a masterpiece
not unlike what the beaver can do with mud
and wood.

There is a difference, though. Whereas the
beaver's masterpiece is the dam, the human
masterpiece is the improvement upon its
original set of conditions. Human
achievement is the PROCESS itself."

"If it looks like we are on a collision
course with confusion, then you must
look further. What could be a form of
progress that does not make our lives
more complicated? What could truly be
called progress in that it improves our
lives by using wisdom from the past and
takes us beyond the present? What could
simplify our lives without simply
regressing to the way we used to be?
Perhaps the answer is right in front of
us. After all, every other major idea in
the history of the world was."

"Why do we trip over the ground? Do we
not see it is there in front of us?"

"Nature is complex. It has many parts that
interact in many, many ways. And the rhyme
and reason to Her processes are incredibly
intricate. But the overall impression one
gets by watching Her is not what we humans
normally associate with complexity,
confusion or complication. Watching nature
we often feel a sense of calm that usually
accompanies simplicity.

Could we learn to have technology progress
toward something complex yet simple?"

"I dreamt of a time that was better.
Each person was engaged.
Prisoners were not enemies.
Nature was not enraged.

Minorities were not separate.
Individuals all took part.
The millions of limited people,
together were very smart.

The human race had finally
progressed beyond the start.+
- John Bickart

Most great scientists and inventors didn't "grow up" and lose childish skill of learning and thinking with rapt attention and wonder - whereas most others let logic take over as they get older.
- source unknown

A psychiatrist once took a group of 40,000 soldiers and guessed their pre-army careers with 74% accuracy by gazing with rapt attention for 10 seconds. ... He then he analyzed logically what he was doing - studying facial muscle, body position, eye movement - then applied these rules. He was half as accurate.
- Eric Berne

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