A Sustainable Life

Oct 11

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James Vodnik Author Interview

Humanity in Trouble and Our Failure to Act is an unfiltered collection of essays that offer insights into the human condition, where humans have gone wrong, and potential solutions to alleviate human suffering on both individual and global scales. Why was this an important book for you to write?

Because as a species we have not improved our lot or reversed our negative impact on the environment and life on the planet. We have not lived up to our potential given our big brains and despite our “invention” of science and technology and subsequent understanding of how the Universe works.

What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?

Humanity’s lack of connection or respect for Nature resulting in our devastating effect on the environment.

Our lack of impulse control, egocentric nature, and failure to live up to the potential of our big brains.

Gradual but impending environmental devastation and high probability of species-level extinctions, including our own.

Perpetual emergence of dictatorial, warlike leaders throughout history, now armed with nuclear weapons.

What advice do you have for individuals who feel powerless in the face of the world’s current challenges and want to make a positive impact?

Start with working to improve all aspects of one’s own existence: live a sustainable life, support humanitarian and environmental action, vote for enlightened political candidates, practice charity, study the self, meditate, improve the education of children, and promote global peace.

What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Humanity in Trouble and Our Failure to Act?

You are not a “separate being” but rather a sentient member of the Universe interconnected with the web of all life, matter, and energy, and act accordingly by practicing gratitude, love, and compassion.

Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Amazon

Mankind is on a crash course with destiny and doesn’t seem to have a clue! We are witnessing rapidly accelerating global warming of our own making that could potentially result in species extinctions, including our own. Witness widespread signs of the impending disaster including super storms, record drought, floods, forest fires and climate refugees. Dangerous nuclear saber rattling by Russia and North Korea is on the upswing and the Russian invasion of Ukraine threatens to expand to Western Europe. The increasing number of fascist, autocratic, dictator-run states such as China, North Korea, Turkey, and Brazil are snuffing individual freedoms, denying social justice and fanning the flames of global conflict.  The world’s population is rapidly approaching eight billion and is well past the point of Earth’s ability to sustain us. Crushing poverty, starvation, and dozens of militarized religious and ethnic conflicts. We have polluted our planet with toxic chemicals, oil spills, reckless dumping of trash on land and sea, contaminating the oceans with fish and fowl killing plastic waste. 

 This book is the result of overwhelming outrage and disappointment with our species, our failure to adequately address worldwide problems that threaten our very existence. We (if there is a ‘we’) should be embarrassed and ashamed. Nature has endowed us with near perfect bodies and amazing brains and for the most part we squander our evolutionary inheritance. And the greatest gift of all, consciousness, is under-developed in most of us. In this collection of essays, the author offers insights into the human condition, the reasons we have run afoul of the natural order, along solutions to alleviate human suffering on an individual and global scale plus some playful jabs at our human folly. 

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