Who Rules the Earth –> Austerity Ecology & The Collapse-Porn Addicts
Who Rules the Earth by Paul F. Steinberg (2015) explains that social rules influence our understanding of what we believe is the truth. Steinberg (2015) writes, “When rules are routinely followed…we internalize them as habits, routines, and standard operating procedures” (Steinberg 2015, 12). Steinberg’s theory helps us make sense as to why certain ideas such as the tragedy of commons are so popular and highly praised. They are constantly mentioned so it makes complete sense as to why we believe it to be the truth.
Leigh Phillips’s book Austerity Ecology provides an example of how many theories become over popularized, “Anti-consumerism has become a fundamental doctrine of the modern left, indeed of mainstream thought across the board” (Phillips 2015, 86). Phillips (2015) argues that the idea that consumerism is not a good thing has become so mainstream that people don’t even stop to consider the advantages and the beneficial parts of it. So, anti-consumerism is now considered a social rule.
After reading these two books, we can now understand that we must consider every point of view of any idea, theory, or policy. We cannot be quick to decide that something is set in stone or permanent. If we do so, we will be blind sided towards any other options out there.
Why We Disagree About Climate Change –> Who Rules the Earth
Why We Disagree About Climate Change by Mike Hulme (2009) suggests that climate change, rather than being a problem to be solved, is an idea which reveals different individual and collective beliefs, values and attitudes about ways of living in the world. Hulme (2009) states that we need to “focus on the long-term implications of short-term choices, that we recognize the global reach of our actions, and that we are alert both to material realities and to cultural values…climate change teaches us to attend more closely to what we really want to achieve for ourselves and for humanity.” (Hulme 2009). This book states that in order to solve wicked problems, we need clumsy solutions and according to Hulme (2009), we are the clumsy solution.
Who Rules the Earth by Paul F. Sternberg (2015) urges that to solve our climate change problem, the social rules must be changed. He states that the responsibility for the solutions are in our hands and that we are the ones who need to make it happen. Although policies usually pertain to larger groups of individuals, it is still up to the individual to fight for the rule change and make it happen. Steinberg (2015) asks us, “So the question before us is not whether change is possible. Change is ubiquitous. The question, rather, is who is participating in the process.” (Steinberg 2015).
Hulme (2009) and Steinberg (2015) both focus on us, the people. They argue that in order to create solutions, it all starts with us and they also focus on how we as people are influenced. Why We Disagree About Climate Change explores the influences on people in order to explain all of the reasons as to why we disagree with the ideas of climate change (Hulme 2009). Who Rules the Earth analyzes social rules and how they can influence people while also bringing upon change for the environment (Steinberg 2015). These texts suggest that we be creative with our actions and be aware of the sociological and psychological influences that we encounter. The answer to wicked problems is not a theory, but we the people.
Why We Disagree About Climate Change –> Making the Modern World
Why We Disagree About Climate Change emphasizes the different views that humans have on climate change through addressing the different influences on an individual that have shaped their outlook on different environmental issues. Hulme (2015) uses Cultural Theory to categorize people in four different grid groups: Fatalists, Individualists, Egalitarians and Hierarchists. These grid groups are based off of the individual belief in social regulation and social contact. These categories also connect each group to a environmental “myth” that those types of people would be in interest of. This system allows us to consider the factors that come from specific individuals as well as explain the disagreements in solutions.
Making the Modern World by Vaclav Smil (2014) analyzes the consumption of materials around the world and how exploiting them are causing environmental issues. Smil (2014) does this through following materials back to their sites of production, considering the Nature, Meaning and Social Relations of them. Most commonly, Life Cycle Assessments are performed to evaluate the burdens of production, reuse and performance of materials like aluminum and plastics. This system enables one to consider the factors that play into the addiction of over consumption as well as unveil some of the hidden flows that have created so many of our compilations.
Hulme (2015) and Smil (2014) both argue that situating places and tracing materials and ideals back to their source can prove as the first step in change. Too often today we attempt to solve large disagreements at the surface level, when in actuality, the real change happens when you find the root of the problem.
Works Cited
Hulme, M. Why we disagree about climate change: understanding controversy, inaction and opportunity. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2009.
Smil, Vaclav. Making the modern world: materials and dematerialization. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley, 2014.
Steinberg, Paul F. Who rules the earth?: how social rules shape our planet and our lives. New York, NY: Oxford Univ. Press, 2015.
Phillips, Leigh. Austerity ecology & the collapse-porn addicts: a defense of growth, progress, industry and stuff. Winchester, UK: Zero Books, 2015.