Ishmael #7: Reflection

How, according to Ishamel, can we save the world? And according to you?

According to Ishmael we can save the world by returning to the (in my opinion) simplier life style of the Leaver. The question this raises is, how do we stop being Takers? "You do it the way you stop destroying the ozone layer, the same way you stop cutting down the rain forests. If the will is there a method will be found." This quote was taken from page 140 of Daniel Quinn's Ishmael. Our gorilla friend, Ishmael, has a point. In fact I remember my dad tell me about how environmentalists were/are against off shore drilling, now granted we are still drilling off shore but the will was/is there, and eventually we will find away. This book is contacting people everyday spreading the word, starting the new tend in the way we think of life.

There are a number of ways to "save the world" but does the world even need saving to begin with? Yes and No. Starting with the somewhat different approach, no the world doesn't need saving because God created the world and has complete control over the world, so even if we try to save the world we would just be going against his devine intentions. At the same time we aren't helping ourselves by destoying our ozone layer, and trying to allow same sex marriage. If that was how God wanted us to live he would have created "Adam and Steve" in stead of the very real Adam and Eve. So no the world doesn't need saving in terms of "global warming" side of things.

Ishmael #6: QQC

Quote: "There's another thing indication that the revolution goes deeper than mere technology. Mother Culture teaches that, before the revolution, human life was devoid of meaning, was stupid, empty, and worthless. Prerevolutionary life was ugly. Detestable." (Ishmael, 216)

Question: Why does Mother Culture teach that the Leaver life is gross?

Comment:
The people before us, "Leavers", had a simple life style in my opinion. "I'm hungry, I'm going to eat an apple," type of life. The Takers, are more of a "I'm hungry, I'm going to go to Costco and buy a family sized pack of apples." There is obviously a difference in life style between the two peoples, but why is being a leaver considered to be so horrible? I think it's because we have shows like The Flintsone's and movies like Tarzan and The Jungle Book, things that start to taint our thoughts before we are even old evenough to read. If your not too familiar with the above listed tv show and movies, their plot line involves a Taker trying to get a Leaver to join in our their quest of concering the world piece by piece, and person by person.

Ishmael #5: QQC

Quote: "This should help you understand why the story you tell your children about the meaning of the world, about divine intentions in the world, and about the destiny of man is of such profound importance to the people of your culture. It's the manifesto of the revolution on which your culture is based. It's the repository of all your revolutionary doctrine and the definitive expression of your revolutionary spirit. It explains why the revolution was necessary and why it must be carried forward at any cost whatever." (Ishmael, 153 - 154)

Question: Is there a way to stop this effect without drasticly changing our lives as we already know them?

Comment:The above revolution that Ishmael is refering to is the Agriculturial Revolution which started in 8,000 b.c. and according to Ishmael hasn't ended only expanded. Why is it that we focus on destroying lovely world that "the gods" provided for us? As Takers, in this Leaver Taker society, we have created a mess to big for any one person or group of peopl to fix within a couple of years. Generations and generations of people may try, unsuccessfully to fight against the always there always ready Mother Culture, who has something new to teach or remind us of everyday. Is it possible for us to stop our Taker way of listening to Mother Culture and listen to ourselves?

Ishmael #4: Interview

1) What do you think is wrong with the world?

A lot. That's vauge. Without getting too philosophical, greed. There's nothing wrong with wanting something, and there's nothing wrong with getting it. In fact, I'm a strong believer in people getting what they deserve. It becomes a problem, though, when people are willing to trample the lives of other people, to kill and cheat and steal in the name of avarice. If we cared less about ourselves and more about each other, life would be better for everyone.
However, by no means do I believe that it's the responsibility of greedy bureaucrats to forcefully take overbearing portions of peoples' income and redistribute the wealth. Ask Margaret Thatcher how well that works. Socialism fails, communism can't exist (real communism, not communist dictatorships, which also fail), the best option for helping the common people is the free market. Look at the numbers - who has an enourmous middle class? Who has one of the highest standards of living?

2) Do you believe in nuclear proliferation? Why or why not?

I do not believe in the proliferation of nuclear weapons, no. Idealistically, nuclear technology could be shared without the threat of it becoming weapons-applicable. The power supplied by and relative safety of nuclear power is significant when compared to other forms of power generation. However, I disagree whole-heatedly with the primary argument of pro-proliferation apologists; mutually assured destruction is not a significant deterrent to psychotic dictators who would gladly end the world. The cold war is often cited as an example of why mutually assured destruction works, but those who cite it obviously overlooked the Cuban Missile Crisis and how close we came to never being born. The argument that "it hasn't happened before, when it could have," means nothing if only one occasion is enough to eradicate the entire population of the planet.

3) What do you think about recycling?

Recycling within American borders...hrm. I believe that recycling should be done by the municipal governments, as part of the sanitation programs. Many cities already do this. Furthermore, if individual citizens want to collect the money themselves, they should have the option to go through the time and effort to do so. But most people won't, and it should be done; the government's used to dirty jobs anyways.

4) Do you think people actually know the true meaning of "Going Green" or is a marketing poy?

It's a marketing ploy. I mean, there are lots of people who do understand the meaning, who understand that "global warming" is not caused by anthropogenic pollution, that there's very little we can do about it, and that it will reverse itself according to the natural trends of mother nature that so many of those ridiculous fanatics assert they hold in such high esteem. "Going Green," like "Global Warming" and "Climate Change" and all the other terms politicians will think up to continue the propaganda are marketing ploys. But at their core, beneath the layers of fanaticism and ignorance, are some quality beliefs. We should be taking care of the planet, to a reasonable degree, and we should respect the natural world, both in the wild and in ecological reserves. But I don't believe in achieving noble ends through propaganda and cultism.

5) If you had the power to save the world what would you do to save it?
Well, this is going to sound incredibly hypocritical, but...global unity is the only road to global peace. When we see the common man not as a tool, or an obstacle, but as a common man, we stand a chance to make the world...even better. I hate bureaucrats. I don't like politicians, and I don't like huge governments. But if, rather than 300 petty, greedy, squabbling governments fighting eachother for power and position, we had...perhaps 10-50 regional governments headed by one, global government, the potential for good.

Ishmael #3: QQC

Quote: "I'm saying that the prive you've paid is not the price of becoming human. It's not even the price of having the things you just mentioned. It's the price of enacting a story that casts mankind as the enemy of the world." (Ishmael 75)

Question: If the world was set in place for man, then why are we it's enemy?

Comment:
According to our "creation myth" the world was brought together all for man, humans. Starting with small single celled organisms and moving up to man, or at least that's what some believe. If this is so then why is it the none of our "toys" such as cars, factories, and constant oil drilling, are doing anything to help the world? Our cars and factories are constantly poluting the Earth, and as we drill for oil we're striping the world of its natural resources. I mean if it was really made for us shouldn't we be doing a better job of projecting it? Problems like over population and consumerism rain on us like gaint rain clouds. It almost makes me wonder what other enemies the human race has, I mean are we the enemy in the animals kingdom as well?

Ishmael #2: The History of Man

Man's story didn't start with a single celled organism as some Evolutionists may believe, man was created by God, in the Garden of Eden, and we would have lived there perfectly if it had not been for sin. Once cast out of the garden man was forced to kill animals to survive, we lived as nomads. Until man discover that we can use the land to provide home-grown food. Which brought forth towns and cities and factories. After a few violent revolutions and World Wars we came to what is now known as civilization. With only room to blossom and bring things suchs as technology and space travel.

Ishmael #1: Quote, Question, Comment (QQC)

Quote: "Ishmael studied me gravely through the dark glass as if wondering if i was strong enough to be taxed with serious conversation."

Question: Why is it that people's eyes and face tell a story?

Comment:
The main character/narrator had a tough night and wasn't in perfect condition upon arriving at Ishmael's office/home. Even as a primate he paused to study the narrator's face and eyes, to insure that he was ready for what he was going to tell him. As a student in high school, my piers eye are constantly judging me and everything around me. People say "you can't judge a book by it's cover," but honestly sometimes looking into someone's eyes can give away the world. Some pairs of eyes are full of sorrow, happiness, confusion, or frustration. You may be able to hide your inner thoughts, because they are inside ur head, but your eyes and you face are always on display.