Eyes wide open

I am not the person I once was. I will forever be me, but I am moving towards the person I will be. I live in this world. All my life I see the world through the eyes of a boy. But the world is not as it was – in my head or in reality. I knew of injustices. I knew of pain. But they were always external. I don’t pretend to have seen the world and all its problems, but my eyes and ears are open now.

This world is no longer our world. Run by ideas that are not for the people or by the people. The power plays the people. And those with it, say this is the way it is. But it is only that way because they make it that way.

If you have a chance, take a look at this BBC documentary 'The Century of the Self'
(4 x 1 hours). It's on youtube and for any Spanish speakers - my friend has translated the first episode and made subtitles for it. The documentary is about the control of the masses.

Another really great documentary is call 'The Story of Stuff'. There are a few parts to watch but is world watching because it is very clear and easy to understand. It's about 'our consumer-driven culture — from resource extraction to iPod incineration — exposing the real costs of our use-it and lose-it approach to stuff.'

My eyes are opening to all possibilities - of what is actually reality and for me... what should not be a part of my reality. I now realise I have a choice. But the revolution will not be televised always... it will happen. But for that to occur we have to have a better understanding of what is happening.

'A Generational Challenge to Repower America' and the World

I am sitting here in Buenos Aires and have just watched a video that has just rocked my world. Al Gore has just made an address that has challenged the US to commit to producing 100% of its electricity from renewable energy and clean carbon-free sources within 10 years. I felt that it is something worth sharing and putting it out there for discussion. For most of us who do not live in the US, I still feel that this is an important thing to see and question about our own

If you have half an hour to spare, please go to this website to watch the full 30 minute speech or read the transcript. The video below is a 5 minute highlights version.


To put a real world spin this. As I travel around the world on what is turning out to be a year long Earth Odyssey, my ideas are evolving about the way we live our lives and the way things are structured. With every city i go to the people are all saying very similar things - the weather is changing, food is becoming more expensive and for most people in my generation, the thought of owning property is science fiction. Our world is definitely changing. It's winter here in Buenos Aires and although a year ago it apparently snowed here in the capital - this year its been sunny and averaging 23 degrees celsius.

Traveling for almost 7 months ago has also made me think about my footprint on this planet. I feel so selfish to be flying and traveling around when most people on this earth struggle for basic needs. My hope is that i use this experience for good. That is the my impact on this planet will be offset by the things I do with my life. I don't just mean Carbon Offsets, which are important (and I wish to learn more about), but also in what I achieve with my life. Finding the balance is always the goal... now i just need to find the method. Maybe I should not just look at it as an individual thing which is why I decided to email this post to many people.

If you have any ideas - my ears and my eyes and my heart is open for discussion...


If you have more time, here is a documentary that has really opened my eyes to what has become of our world.

The Story of Stuff - there are 7 parts
Explains our 'consumer-driven culture — from resource extraction to iPod incineration — exposing the real costs of our use-it and lose-it approach to stuff.'

CLICK HERE FOR DOCO

Maybe after we can change the means of energy production, we can then turn to the prospects of improving our mass transit systems around the world....

I just ate cow

Santi made dinner tonight. I ate part of a cow. And now I can't sleep.

I would not say i am a vegetarian, but all my beliefs and ideas about eating meat have been somewhat warped here in Argentina. Back home I very rarely ate red meat, mainly for environmental and cruelty reasons.

Save the Environment
A recent United Nations report entitled Livestock's Long Shadow concludes that eating meat is "one of the top two or three most significant contributors to the most serious environmental problems, at every scale from local to global". The report finds that eating meat causes almost 40 per cent more greenhouse-gas emissions than all the cars, trucks, ships and planes in the world combined.

Here in Argentina, I hear people talk about how the meat is better here because the cows get to roam free, unlike in other counties. Does any one know more about this? To me it sounds somewhat naive. Raising cattle still impacts the land and the air, and I would think the slaughter methods are similar too... so how is it better?

As I ate the meat it reminded me of the first time I became conscience of the issue. It was a Sunday afternoon. I turned on the TV and started watching. I sank to the floor in awe and watched the most incredible film I had ever seen. I later found out that I was halfway through Baraka. There was a scene involving the cruel practices of chicken farming. I sat there and cried. The truth is this film changed my life and understanding.

But for some reason I seem to justify eating meat here. I have met so many vegetarians here that have had the same experience. It baffles me so.

July

Crap... it's July