Hope and Reality

I was thinking about - what with expecting the world to return to where it was before- as described in this entry with this quote:

"human deaths often occurred in large numbers, as a result of war, conquest, famine, and pestilence"

.....that to expect anything else (besides widespread suffering) is unrealistic.

We have become spoiled with the temporary reality, esp. in the US, where most have all the health care they need to get them to old age, where food, housing, and transportation were relatively easy and inexpensive and where many of the toxic byproducts (mostly created by large corporations) have not caught up with most of the population in a serious way. (We humans have created our own pestilence.)

Of course - it may be that the exponential growth rate of autism, ADHD, allergies, cancers, etc. can be mostly attributable to man-made environmental causes - but many people have not made the connection - or at least - not enough to change from the easy life to one that requires more energy - or at least more attention.

An article in today's paper was about Flame retardants sickening cats (they get hyperthyroidism) — "brominated flame retardants in consumer products, particularly furniture cushions, electronics, mattresses and carpet padding." (It may also sicken toddlers - or anyone else exposed to the PBDEs - for that matter).

It's just the type of thing - where consumers (those considered "well-off" - "on top of the food chain") may be the most susceptible (Americans have higher levels of PBDEs than anyone). Just like those who eat the large salmon steaks are more susceptible to mercury that those who eat the little fish.

It may be that the best that people can do - is to live simply, live with less, and try to go with natural products as much as possible (and wood floors (bamboo?) or tile). (I also think that everyone should give up golf - or at least give up golfing on pesticide/herbicide saturated courses - see "Invasive Algae Killing Costa Rican Coral Reef").

I need to get a new reusable water bottle. Stainless Steel instead of plastic.