On Your Future in the Anthropocene
Welcome at your Crash Course
Our profound dependency on technology becomes very palpable when, in the midst of unprecedented big, hellish forest fires, you have to fight a fire with failing electricity and water supply and no means to reach anyone for help. This experience triggered the author to explore our dependencies on our technological society in the light of global problems. The question arose: “Will technology be helpful in addressing climate change, extinction of species and growing inequalities?”
It seems we have gotten ourselves trapped in a civilisation taking such a toll on the ecological system that we are faced with a gigantic challenge; taking responsibility for all life on Earth. We have reached a situation where societal and ecological collapse are realistic possibilities. CRASH COURSE examines the many causes and interrelationships of the ecological and societal meltdown we are facing. Due to its broad perspective CRASH COURSE gives the reader an insight in what we still can do and proposes personal and societal changes that will be needed, whatever way the future unfolds. This book will give you a good knowledge-base to better meet the challenges of the future and a fresh reappraisal of the essence of life.
Otis Scops is trained as an electronics and chemical process engineer. He worked as a developer of tailor-made electronics and computer hard- and software and as a renewable energy systems consultant. Over the last 25 years, his interest shifted from mainly technology to ecology and sociology and towards true sustainability. He increasingly puts his acquired knowledge into practice with low-tech, organic gardening and a focus on the basics of life.
It seems we have gotten ourselves trapped in a civilisation taking such a toll on the ecological system that we are faced with a gigantic challenge; taking responsibility for all life on Earth. We have reached a situation where societal and ecological collapse are realistic possibilities. CRASH COURSE examines the many causes and interrelationships of the ecological and societal meltdown we are facing. Due to its broad perspective CRASH COURSE gives the reader an insight in what we still can do and proposes personal and societal changes that will be needed, whatever way the future unfolds. This book will give you a good knowledge-base to better meet the challenges of the future and a fresh reappraisal of the essence of life.
Otis Scops is trained as an electronics and chemical process engineer. He worked as a developer of tailor-made electronics and computer hard- and software and as a renewable energy systems consultant. Over the last 25 years, his interest shifted from mainly technology to ecology and sociology and towards true sustainability. He increasingly puts his acquired knowledge into practice with low-tech, organic gardening and a focus on the basics of life.
It is no measure of health to be
well-adjusted to a profoundly sick society.
Jiddu Krishnamurti
The structure of the book
ART I includes the first four chapters that describe what kind of situation we find ourselves in and how we got into it.
Chapter 1 ECOLOGY. The earth is finite and has its limitations. This chapter looks at the limits to growth both from an ecological point of view and on the basis of statistical, scientific data.
Chapter 2 TECHNOLOGY describes the role of technology in our current society and how it seems to continue to grow limitlessly. A number of inherent properties of technology that are at odds with ecology and nature are examined.
Chapter 3 CIVILIZATION describes our western civilization and how it lies at the basis of the current crises in a number of respects.
Chapter 4 HUMANITY investigates how the psyche and our society were and are shaped by technology and civilization.
PART II includes chapters five and six. These chapters describe what we can expect when we don't take any action.
Chapter 5 THE CRASH shows how the contradictions between the earthly boundaries and the model of boundless growth will certainly lead to a collision.
Chapter 6 OUT OF HAND illustrates with additional information and examples what was described in earlier chapters.
PART III includes chapters seven to ten in which suggestions for change are made that can stimulate the emergence of a more eco-centric and resilience future.
Chapter 7 ACCEPTANCE describes that acknowledging the real state of affairs is the first step towards another way of shaping our future.
Chapter 8 MINDSHIFT describes how we need to change our mentality in order to be able to live eco-centric and build resilience.
Chapter 9 TOP-DOWN looks at ways that our current societal structures are not likely to succeed in tackling the crises we are confronted with.
Chapter 10 BUILDING RESILIENCE explores practical possibilities to make our lives more resilient and looks at possibilities for active action and resistance to counter the destruction around us.
Chapter 1 ECOLOGY. The earth is finite and has its limitations. This chapter looks at the limits to growth both from an ecological point of view and on the basis of statistical, scientific data.
Chapter 2 TECHNOLOGY describes the role of technology in our current society and how it seems to continue to grow limitlessly. A number of inherent properties of technology that are at odds with ecology and nature are examined.
Chapter 3 CIVILIZATION describes our western civilization and how it lies at the basis of the current crises in a number of respects.
Chapter 4 HUMANITY investigates how the psyche and our society were and are shaped by technology and civilization.
PART II includes chapters five and six. These chapters describe what we can expect when we don't take any action.
Chapter 5 THE CRASH shows how the contradictions between the earthly boundaries and the model of boundless growth will certainly lead to a collision.
Chapter 6 OUT OF HAND illustrates with additional information and examples what was described in earlier chapters.
PART III includes chapters seven to ten in which suggestions for change are made that can stimulate the emergence of a more eco-centric and resilience future.
Chapter 7 ACCEPTANCE describes that acknowledging the real state of affairs is the first step towards another way of shaping our future.
Chapter 8 MINDSHIFT describes how we need to change our mentality in order to be able to live eco-centric and build resilience.
Chapter 9 TOP-DOWN looks at ways that our current societal structures are not likely to succeed in tackling the crises we are confronted with.
Chapter 10 BUILDING RESILIENCE explores practical possibilities to make our lives more resilient and looks at possibilities for active action and resistance to counter the destruction around us.