A Neo-Luddite Look at People vs. Nature
Bob Sipchen’s thought-provoking article, “Stop the World,” states that Jerry Mander “finds the seeds of change society needs to make in the remaining Indian populations.” I agree that our society (and Earth) has much to benefit from the “nature-based, spiritual” way of life practiced by the Indians many years ago.
However, it is my fear that Mander may have trouble finding even small pockets of Indians clinging to this wise and thoughtful way of life. Many tribes have been forced to turn to get-rich-quick schemes, such as opening gambling casinos, and even going as far from nature as to consider allowing their lands to be used as a nuclear waste dump. A band near Santa Ysabel has been paid $100,000 to research the possibility.
These are people without electricity or running water. Will they jump at the chance to “better their lives?”
More power to Mander and the Neo-Luddites. I hope they find the remaining seeds of nature-based, spiritual ways of life and plant them deep all over America.
K. HURLBERT
Encinitas
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