thoughts...themes of our time

Friday, February 17, 2006
Erich Fromm & Global Warming

Man against Nature Man against Man and Man against himself

How is it possible that the strongest of all instincts, that for survival,
seems to have ceased to motivate us? One of the most obvious explanations is
that the leaders undertake many actions that make it possible for them to
pretend they are doing something effective to avoid a catastrophe: endless
conferences, resolutions, disarmament talks, all give the impression that the
problems are recognized and something is being done to resolve them. Yet nothing
of real importance happens; but both the leaders and the led anesthetize their
consciences and their wish for survival by giving the appearance of knowing the
road and marching in the right direction.

While in our private
life nobody except a mad person would remain passive in view of a threat to our
total existence, those who are in charge of public affairs do practically
nothing, and those who have entrusted their fate to them let them continue to do
nothing.