Final Assignments—The Science of Life

Giant Toads and Colossal Squid

In the Colossal Squid article, it was said that the "creature" is to be "preserved for scientific study", and that the catch "adds immeasureably to our uderstaning of the marine environment."

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Now, after all these unnecessary creatures killings, hole drills, specimens raids, expeditions of virgin terrtitories, all in the name of science and wanting to "understand our environment", have we really understood anything?

What does it mean to have "understood something"?

Our knowledge base is more horizontal than vertical. Increase in breath of knowledge doesn't necessary make us a deeper nor wiser.

We have expanded our horizons so much and have known so much more factual knowledge about our environment than our ancestors could even imagine. Yet, we are living more out of sync of nature's rhythm than ever. What for?

Chimps Make Tools

It shouldn't come as a surprise that chimps can make tools. After all, we are pretty closely related. Once again, this proves that we human are not the only ones who had this kind of intelligence. We came from long chain of evolutionary trials & errors. If we can come this far, it is a possible for other species too.

Assignments for "Which Way Forward"

Global Crisis in Diet
Unsurprisingly, we can't trust corporations to take the lead to solve the global crisis in diets.

I think the best thing is to make schools and hospitals offer only healthy food in their cafeterias. Also, educate parents so that they set good examples for their children. These are resources that children turn to as trustable health guides.

However, I think that in addition to increasing health awareness and being educated about what one should or shouldn't eat, it is important that people become more aware of their mind/body in general.

Doing mindful exercises like yoga or qigong can help one to be more aware of his/her body. When you are more tuned-in with your body, you will naturally have less cravings for unhealthy food. Since the change starts from within, you would be less likely revert back to old eating habits.

Carbon Offsets
There certainly are good intentions behind this idea, and will make people conscious about what actions make a bigger carbon footprint. I am skeptical about how effective it will be in making our society carbon-neutral. There will definitely be people who'd rather pay for carbon offsets than changing their lifestyle. If anything, it may become a guilt-free way for people to indulge in high carbon-emission activities. As a guardian article put it, it's akin to "paying other people to clear up the mess we've made."

Laughter Really is the Best Medicine
Don't know if it's the best medicine, but it is certainly a good one. It not only reduces stress, it also breaks ice between people, it even dulls pain, gives one more energy...if it can improve one's quality of life on so many levels, it certainly can boost your health too.

New Pill Promises To Reduce Breast Cancer

As much as I don't really like menstruating (who does?), I don't think I would want to mess with my natural cycle. The pill is so new that, even though current studies show that it reduces the risk of ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer, it is hard to say what hidden side effects it has.

However, it gives women a choice over the traditional pill. If some women wants to take chances with it, at least it is an option.

Reintroduction of the American Bison

I don't fully understand the question: "How would you prioritize the reintroduction of the American Bison?"
Prioritize in what context? What are we comparing to here?

I think it is geat to reintroduce the American Bison back to the wild so they won't extinct. I suspect though that the government only do this because buffalo meat has gotten popular and there is profit to be made.

Regardless of the intention, it is great that the American Bison is restored in the Great Plains. It is good for the native americans, and the ecosystem. I do wonder if the population of the American bison will ever get too much and upset the current balance. Or maybe it is a good thing since we can only call our current state is such an imbalanced one.

The End Goals of Social Ecology

Sounds good to me. I like the focus of social ecology on the transformative learning and the emphasis on "thinking about the big picture, while at the same time being willing to act in small meaningful ways"
When enough people are willing to start leading an ecological lifesyle by changing a little bit at a time, it will add up to be a lot.

Why ecosystems are both strong and fragile

When imbalances in an ecosystem occur, the ecosystem will find ways to correct it until a new balance is achieved. It is flexible and can adapt to different kinds of changes. The ecosystem is strong that way.

However, it is also fragile because any changes in one "component" may have a chain effect and cause changes in many other "components" in the ecosystem. The ecosystem will keep trying to adapt and re-balance until a tipping point is reached and ecosystem won't be able to sustain itself anymore.

It would be a point of no return. It is scary to think that we may be reaching that point.

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It reminded me of a dialog in this French movie La Haine (Hate):

"Heard about the guy who fell off a skyscraper?" asks Hubert. "On his way down past each floor, he kept saying, to reassure himself, 'so far so good... so far so good... so far so good.' Then he hits the bottom. How you fall doesn't matter. It's how you land."

Eight-Point Deep Ecology Platform

I do agree with the principles.
I think Point 8 might the hardest for people: "Those who subscribe to the foregoing points have an abligation directly or indirectly to participate in the attempt to implement the necessary changes."

I think a lot of people knows the importance of a balanced ecosystem but not aware what actions they can take to maintain it. (or how some of their actions may harm it).
It is especially hard if the community you live in doesn't subscribe to this belief. It is easier for people to start changing their lifestyle when they see that everyone around them make the changes too. Conversely, it is really hard to make changes when everything around seems to go against it.