ignorant/dangerous

V.Dimitroff (mailto:vdimitroff@MAIL.PTL.COM.MT)
Tue, 23 Sep 1997 10:12:18 +0200

Message-ID:  <342779E2.5A6BD92E@mail.ptl.com.mt>
Date:         Tue, 23 Sep 1997 10:12:18 +0200
From: "V.Dimitroff" <mailto:vdimitroff@MAIL.PTL.COM.MT>
Subject:      ignorant/dangerous
To: mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU

Ndungu Kahihu wrote:

>The real threat to the world caused by unsustainable human behaviour..

I agree <bad damage> was caused, but not <threat> - the latter word, especially when applied "to the World", implies the imminent danger that the End of the World is coming.

>..does not even need a scientist to explain, not even a thinker.

I beg to differ here: while one doesn't have to be a full-time scientist, <some> thinking <is> required! Thoughtless creatures don't pour their empty heads into mailing lists ;-)

>..You come to Africa one day and, in my country alone..

FYI, I <am> in Africa: Malta is an island between Africa and Europe, but the current Socialist Government (anti-capitalist, for you) decided a few months ago to pull out of the European Union. Now we are in Africa ;-)

On a more serious note, I have worked a few years in Africa and may one day come to Kenya, too...

>I'll show you exactly the damage we have done, mainly thanks
>to the uncritical application of western education and now
>western (mainly capitalistic) attitudes.

I agree there has been damage to the environment, and it is being inflicted in various locations as I write this. It's a shame! But my original posting disputed a statement about the whole <Earth's Carrying Capacity. - that we have exceeded it ?! I still insist we haven't, and most probably won't.

As to the broad use of terms like "western" and "capitalistic" I find little merit in arguing, but can assure you from <extensive> first-hand experience that the exact opposites are not the key to sustainable development.

>And I am not even a thinker.

A pity! Try to become one!

Good luck, V. Dimitroff