On Sep 2, 2008, at 3:41 PM, Robin van Spaandonk wrote:
In reply to Edmund Storms's message of Tue, 2 Sep 2008 15:32:23
-0600:
Hi,
[snip]
behavior of the stock market and the government. The bigger
question,
is what does an individual do to protect themselves from this growing
irrationally?
[snip]
Rational behaviour is a luxury. Irrational behaviour based upon fear
is a part
of human basic instinct. Fear arises when people perceive their
existence
threatened. The "cure" is to ensure that it is less threatened, by
improving the
quality of life. This will flow automatically from the introduction
of a
sustainable economy based upon sustainable energy.
That's where we come in.
I agree, Robin. The problem is having an irrational society make
rational choices that would reduce the fear. This same problem
confronts every individual in a society. The greater the fear a person
has, the greater the chance they will make an irrational decision. I
think Obama is right when he observed that in the time of fear, people
tend to turn to religion, i. e. God, to protect them. While this can
be beneficial in reducing fear, a problem is created when the power
structure uses this attitude to gain more power. That is what got Bush
elected the second time and is being used to get McCain elected this
time. In other words, the greater the faith in God, the greater the
susceptibility to manipulation. This is where the level of rationally
becomes important. If the level of faith in religion is high, the
possibility of an irrational decision is high. Unfortunately, I don't
think we will solve the energy problem in time to reduce the fear to
sustainable levels. Too many people are benefiting from the fear and
too many people are out to generate more.
Ed
Regards,
Robin van Spaandonk <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
