Gotta Get His Attention
The live earth concert was quite an event. I thought it was likely worth doing, as it highlighted an acute problem for us all. What surprised me is that some people were quite critical saying it was generally useless, wasted energy and very expensive, energy-wise. Perhaps they are right.
But I am reminded of the old, actually very old, story of the farmer who purchased a mule from a neighbor who said it was a fine industrious animal. But the problem is he could not get it to work, to do anything but eat.
When his neighbor came to visit and asked about the mule the owner complained bitterly about how useless it was. The neighbor didn’t say a word but went to a pile of lumber nearby and picked up a two by four. Then he drew back and smashed the mule on the head. The owner protested loudly that he was abusing the animal but the neighbor just smiled. He said to get him to work first you have to get his attention.
Obviously the whole world needs to have its attention focused on what is clearly a life and death issue.
I have been encouraged by the media giving more attention to green issues since the concert. It makes me more hopeful that we are not going to ignore what clearly cannot continue to be ignored. The science is increasingly clear and obviously it is now time for the rest of us to wake up and make appropriate sacrifices.