(This is Part 1 of a series.)
To write about the state of the world today is a mixed blessing. On the one hand, the world is on the verge of suffering a deep breakdown—financially, geopolitically, ecologically, socially. I will try to show why I think this breakdown is more or less unavoidable at this point.
On the other hand, this very breakdown will be the catalyst for a series of reforms in the way that human beings relate to nature, to their global economy, and to each other.
So be forewarned: This journey we're about to embark on is going to go through the valley of death before it emerges into the sunlight. But I have to call them as I see them, with whatever limited light I can try to muster. And then try to show why I see it that way.
We're going to be reporting "the news." But not the immediate news as normally reported in the media. We're going to pull our viewing platform way out and try to report on the really large human and other trends occurring on this fragile blue planet floating in space.
Basically, there are four large pieces of news, presented in roughly sequential order:
1. The human assault on nature.
2. Rise of a new intelligent species.
3. The coming external decline.
4. The rise of the inner world.
And each of these four major pieces of news will have four subsections, particular aspects of the major category which merit a little more detail.
Well, let's get started:
(This is the end of Part 1. Go to Part 2.)
—jim sloman, 11.27.06
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