You’re right of course. Progress is a double edged sword… which bears with it the responsibility to handle it wisely. To date… (esp. over the past century) I would venture to say that we haven’t been entirely up to the task… racing ahead into technologies and advances where we have little knowledge or understanding of the consequences or long term impacts.

Because progress is for the most part money driven… I guess this situation will not change anytime soon. I especially share your concerns for the collective loss of “mindfulness” and empathy… (the ability to put oneself into another’s shoes)… and the inability to appreciate beauty at the fundamental level. These are the sweet things in life that no amount of money could ever buy.

But it is heartening to see men such as Richard Branson making (in my view) the right kind of progress. And he appears to share our view.

“Ridiculous yachts and private planes and big limousines won’t make people enjoy life more, and it sends out terrible messages to the people who work for them. It would be so much better if that money was spent in Africa – it’s about getting a balance” – Richard Branson

QUOTE I can’t help but feel that there are ways Branson and other so-called visionaries like him could spend money that would really result in a better future UNQUOTE

Gosh isn’t this a bit like saying to Fred Astaire… “well Fred… we all know you can dance… but can you sing?” LOL

Sheesh… what are we asking for? The guy comes along with “nothing”… works his backside off around the clock… takes risks no-one else would… almost goes to the wall… finally makes good… and almost goes to the wall again… then makes good again… and we say to him… “now that you’ve finally made it… you should do the right thing and hand it over to those less fortunate” *sigh* [Having said that... I don't doubt that Branson would be the first to offer it... if he thought for a moment... that throwing billions of dollars at a problem (poverty) that has already absorbed billions of dollars without resolution... would be a good moral investment in a better future for the people concerned]

Instead… (besides other things)… he has “invested in education programs supporting the ground-breaking CIDA University in Johannesburg South Africa which provides higher education for poor black youngsters” and includes the Branson School of Entrepreneurship to promote business skills and entrepreneurial flair amongst students. This includes the “university in a box” initiative which takes higher education to young people in outlying rural areas… making the dream of a better life a more than real prospect for many of them.

It is an undeniable truth that Sir Richard Branson is first and foremost an entrepreneur… and perhaps only a philanthropist second… but what comes first the chook or the egg? Without his considerable energy, wit, enthusiasm, industry and involvement with people and projects… the world would be a much poorer place… and I mean that in more than just the material sense.

At the heart of it… his enthusiasm and enterprise have provided jobs… livelihoods… opportunities… and inspiration for people from all walks of life… all over the planet. He is living proof that if you can dream it you can do it… and the “hope” that one single notion gives… could fuel our dreams for generations to come. I hope it does.

Clearly… a fan… (((chuckles)))

Oops… sorry all… eek it’s a novel (!)

alights from her soapbox and exits stage left… ~grin~

But….

I know what you mean about the cartoon, Jean. First of all, I love this one, as I do all of yours. My blog is, as far as I’m concerned, primarily about my cartoons. My commentary is an early morning afterthought, sometimes a rant, sometimes a head clearing, sometimes a ramble.

Regarding Branson and visionaries, I agree with you in essence, and yet a part of me doesn’t know what “progress” means. Certainly the folks that have brought us the computer and the Internet have created something exceptional, the biggest revolution in human communication since moveable type. And the ability to travel long distances quickly is amazing. Progress can’t be stopped, both the progress that brings us bigger and faster, and the progress that brings us safer and more ecologically friendly, but I fear that at the same time we lose something, the ability to stop and reflect, the empathy for the suffering of others, the appreciation of the beauty that’s close at hand. The bilions that get thrown at technology and “solutions” benefit only a small percentage of the earth’s people. It doesn’t need to be that way, but that’s how it is. I can’t help but feel that there are ways Branson and other so-called visionaries like him could spend money that would really result in a better future.

I’ve been having a few computer/connection problems over the past couple of days and haven’t yet got to the bottom of it. The problem seems to be intermittent and consequently difficult for the technicians to pinpoint. Hopefully it will disappear from whence it came… which is often the way of modern electronics!

Which brings me to your post… and the “purported” benefits of all the labour-saving devices we simply cannot live without! Anyone else noticed how much time and upkeep all this labour saving stuff needs? LOL Electronic stuff is the worst… which whilst being a godsend when it’s working can be a right royal pain the posterior portion when it doesn’t. And so often it doesn’t. Especially on rainy days. Or when a mean wind is blowing from the east and we aren’t holding our mouth exactly right. LOL

Your friend sounds like a dedicated man… we need more of them… men and women who are willing to meet the environmental challenges head on and examine the impacts we are more than certainly having upon our now fragile earth.

Thanks for your valued input Katherine!

I am old enough to remember staying as a child in the early 1930′s with my grandparents on their farm before people had electricity and running water. I wonder how this generation would survive without the modern conveniences. I would not know how to get along without them after being spoiled by having them for so many years.

Oh no Katherine… on the contrary! I’m so happy to find a kindred spirit who truly understands the challenges we face! You hit the nail on the head completely… that each of us needs to take responsibility in our own little patch… buying smaller more fuel efficient cars and doing what we can to be conservative in our consumption of goods and services. I wonder how the population can be convinced to do that? I guess while car makers continue to build gas guzzlers people will continue to buy them. Especially if the neighbours have one! LOL

Looking back on it I think my Dad was a man ahead of his time! He was forever telling us to switch off the lights when we left the room! We always wondered what he was on about… now we know… all these years later as the chickens come home to roost! LOL He was the original new age dad… and he must have been the original new age environmentalist too (in his own quiet way!) ~grin~

Every one seems to be “trying to keep up with the neighbors by buying expensive huge gas guzzling cars, bigger homes, etc. They are not interested in car pooling, riding public busing transportation and here in Florida fight against building such fuel saving things so every family has at least 2 cars. The roads are crowded and treacherous to drive especially during the winter and summer when we have many tourists.

I admired Jimmy Carter (president in the 70′s) when he convinced the public to reduce the speed limit to 55 mph and to buy cars that used less gas. It worked for about 15 years and forgotten. We need that inspiration again. I still stick to his idea of a small, low gas consuming car.

I’m all for any solution that biofuels can bring about, but also the public needs to take some responsibility and limit their use of them too. Bring on any new method that cuts the use of oil, coal, etc. and let’s hope the “sheep” will buy it. My friends say they love their big cars and don’t want to give them up because they feel safer driving and riding in them.