Transitions and disruptions

Change can happen for different reasons and different time scales. The urgent call for climate action and a change to a ‘renewable’ economy has been met with opposition and a reluctance to ‘give up’ existing systems and industries. We can’t afford to change too quickly less people lose jobs and break the economy. We can’t move to electric cars because how could we go on long distance weekend trips?

It has been frustrating and difficult to maintain hope with so much political obstruction. As a scientist it has been particularly disheartening for public figures to distrust institutional science. Yet I understand the benefits of a well-managed gradual change process that brings everyone along with a clearly articulated vision.

I had a vigorous discussion with a (distant) relative on the need for the prophetic voice to show that point in the distance that we should be heading. We don’t want to be too quick to get there lest we leave people behind but we shouldn’t be hesitating to move either. Scouts are needed to go first and test the waters and say it is ok for everyone to come. We need strong leadership to set a long term direction, to support the scouts to keep them safe and even to extol them as our adventurers. The ‘early adopters’ that put their neck out and take risks can lose economically but if everyone waited before it was safe to leave our status quo we wouldn’t get anywhere.

And then comes along the great disruptor – the virus that has sent the market into freefall, smashed travel and global tourism, closed schools and events, and who knows how much further into our way of life it will encroach. Our response? Panic shopping, political stimulus packages, increased racial tension to anyone bearing a Chinese resemblance, and much cleaning of hands.

Without going further down this track I’ll make two observations:

1. We can change abruptly if there is will to do so. We can have a stimulus package that quickly. What an opportunity to provide jobs and create activity in the direction we want to go into.

2. Fear on a community scale can send us to very dark places. I’ve often wondered how far we are to being led by a modern equivalent of an Adolf or Pol Pot down a similar path. Our racist undertones can easily surface - ask any Chinese friend if they are viewed any differently in the past few months.

We don’t know how 2020 will play out but the active hope philosophy is needed more than ever to prevent fear being mis-used. The elderly are at great risk, jobs are at risk, our wellbeing is being put to the test. My hope is to seek out the opportunities to reshape our future and for our community to be bonded with goodwill. Some further reading from Sojourners: https://sojo.net/articles/time-act-community-now

Photo: the water lilly (subject I’m painting at the moment).

Giving up work for lent

I still take the season of lent, leading up to Easter, as a time to reconsider life and make at least one adjustment. For many it is what we are going to sacrifice or give up, though theologically it is more about reconnecting to be able to the resurrection story more fully.

After working 7 days straight and having Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent slip past me, I thought that this year I would ‘give up work’ - well in the sense that I will take every Friday off at least. The intention is to do something different each Friday in restoring creativity, physical, relationships or just be. So last week I was in the Kwinana garden reshaping Anne’s future orchard. This was followed by a sound meditation but I knew this wouldn’t go so well as the compulsion to sleep when lying down in the dark at 7pm on a Friday night will always be strong. At least I had Anne next to me to gently wake me when I was about to enter snoring mode. If not for sleeping it would have been a valuable experience.

As for the next few Fridays, the intention is to break open the paint brushes and see what creativity will emerge; reconnect with the swimming pool; take my new (old) bike to the beach for its first time; play guitar; catch up on reading books that I’ve been meaning to get to like Dark Emu; some writing; buying some fruit/vege in bulk and try cooking up some preserves; and visiting friends who may also have a Friday off; and have time to be spontaneous. The list sounds like I need more than just a Friday off! I’ll see how I go and what may emerge.

The counter story for this is the role of work in life. For five days each week I invest my effort into meteorology and  perhaps it is well overdue that the balance is not right for me any more. Perhaps this could be a catalyst for something more permanent post lent. At the very least it is an opportunity to try a new  perspective.

Vietnam reflections – seeing with new eyes

Sometimes you have to get away to gain perspective. On my recent cycling tour to Vietnam, one of my greatest pleasures was experiencing passing interactions with the locals. How generous was their spirit? Smiles and hellos came easily and frequently, To see how difficult their history has been, how hard they work but then how seriously they take  hospitality and caring for families.

The country is in a great transition as the capitalist market overtakes the nominal communist philosophy. Yet the Buddhist heart remains – compassion, acceptance, discipline and kindness was demonstrated every day.

We also got a taste of their violent past and for sure they carry the memories and consequences daily but they are such a resilient people that they remain hopeful for their children and understand how important the future is for their children.

This 70 year old man was seeding rice as he has done for so many years. Yet when we stopped to take photos he was kind enough to come over and demonstrate and talk through his work. The new challenge is convincing younger people to pursue agriculture as an option – the work is too hard apparently!