The Everyday Catastrophe

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Our Topical Way of Problem-Solving

We already know quite a lot, but not nearly enough to avert the catastrophe. Much of what must be done is implemented either half-heartedly or not at all. Meanwhile, our life roots are further damaged as the situation in the so-called developing countries clearly illustrates. What is our reaction? We hesitate as politicians, entrepreneurs and as individuals. Although occasionally there are topical improvements: an ecology law here, an agreement to protect nature there, but we shy away from the all-encompassing urgent changes that have become necessary.
Is it because we subconsciously fear to have been manoeuvring into a one-way street of dependabilities out of which we may possibly never again emerge?

Where Should we Begin?

Only a few of us draw their personal consequences by moderation. Some renounce the use of a car, limit their travel, reduce their consumption of luxury goods, switch to bio-nutrition and attempt to implement individually what is not being done at large. Perhaps this is the only way to solve many problems. But what results would it offer? Can it lead to the collapse of industrial society? Globalised economy targets the wrong priorities. It must continue to invent new artificial "needs", as it depends on steadily growing demands. Will our self-raised paradise one day collapse like a house of cards?

Avoiding Ecological Disasters with More Technology?

Whether we are stuck today in the most dramatic dilemma of our existence, depends on our point of view. If we attempt to costumarily solve each problem in a more or less isolated way, then the pressing problems of the presence appear to be "solvable" using existing means, willpower and determination. After all, the great accomplishments of our civilisation owe their success to this point of view. All of them were "victories of human ingenuity and endeavour", allowing industrialists to view the future with unbroken confidence. This faith in the final victory of man and technology over the "inadequacies and deficiencies" of nature even offers a touch of fascination and should be taken seriously. Perhaps we humans may still develop skills and techniques of which we dare not even daydream today.

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