Tom Ellis
Jun 17, 2023

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Another heady dose of reality, which, however hard to swallow, is the strong medicine we all need to overcome denial and delusion. But what about the third trap: despair? Is there a way out of that, especially for younger generations? Despair, after all, can only lead to violence or suicide or both. That’s why I’m promoting a fourth, more adaptive option: determination. To do what? Grow gardens, grow community, grow awareness, by learning and teaching useful knowledge, skills, and judgment; healing our dying biosphere as best we can, starting in our backyards and communities; and creating the seeds of a culture that is symbiotic with, rather than parasitic upon, our biological support system. And even if we’re all doomed anyway, this way of life will be more gratifying than simply raging against our fate.

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Tom Ellis
Tom Ellis

Written by Tom Ellis

I am a retired English professor now living in Oregon, and a life-long environmental activist, Buddhist, and holistic philosopher.

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