What's in my head

This post is actually going to be a bit unusual-it's not really about food, and its not pretending to contain any answers. In fact, it’s a series of questions that have been kicking around in my mind…

If I had to describe the rule of law in today’s global society, what would it be? That “more is better”?

Is more control better? Does it depend on what it’s control of?

Is there any correlation between the radical rise in gluten allergies and the irradiation of flour? (Food irradiation has been regulated in Canada for more than 40 years - flour since 1969! “Regulated,” hmm-does that means it’s proven to be safe ‘regardless’ of the dosage, and safe on what criteria? How often is that revisited? How was that determined? Are the studies ongoing?)

Winnipeg, Manitoba has one of the highest rates of Multiple Sclerosis in the world. Is there any chance its connected to the (so-highly-concentrated-that-it’s-palatable) fluoride in the water? How about the Malathion (a known neurotoxin) that is sprayed into the city air every year in the fight against mosquitoes? What about the agricultural chemicals? What if you combine them all? Who tests that for safety?

Why do we write people off or ridicule them for being paranoid/conspiracy theorists about the effects of EMF (electromagnetic frequencies), when former members of the US military have written a paper which lists dozens of “Non-Lethal Weapons,” including a category for “Acoustic, Infrasound. Very low-frequency sound which can travel long distances and easily penetrate most buildings and vehicles. Transmission of long wavelength sound creates biophysical effects; nausea, loss of bowels, disorientation, vomiting, potential internal organ damage or death may occur.”

Is lettuce really safe to eat? Between the pesticides or herbicides and the acid rain…how thoroughly do we need to wash it anyway? Likely a lot more carefully than most of us do…

When I accidentally leave my computer speakers on (and the machine is powered off)-why do they randomly (but loudly) crackle and buzz? Is it my neighbor’s wireless? Is someone in my building getting a phone call? How is that affecting my body at a cellular level? Does the hydro wire that hangs outside of my apartment give off waves? Maybe individually they are considered “safe”, but what about the combined effects?

It’s amazing to me how many products go into our landfill that should not-like batteries. Do you drop your AA (alkaline) batteries off at a depot? Most people don’t. Why aren’t the manufacturers of highly toxic products held accountable for proper disposal? Why doesn’t every package of batteries come with a postage-paid label for mailing back your use ones? The packaging could be used for mailing both ways! Wouldn’t it be cheaper for some manufacturers to receive products back then to have to get the new supplies to recreate the packaging etc every time? Is glass the only thing worth reusing?

When the first automobile was designed they must have known that the exhaust contained poisonous chemicals. Why didn’t they care? Why was “progress” more important than health, safety, and the air we breathe?

The planet has little more than 3 feet of topsoil spread over its entire exposed surface. That’s where our food comes from. That’s all we have. We are poisoning and abusing it. Yes, someday the technology may exist to clean it up, but they truth is, it doesn’t. The technology to repair the present damage - to our bodies, the air, the water, the soil…just doesn’t exist. I used to take comfort in adding the "yet”, but the reality is, anyone who adds the “yet” is trying to sell you something.

How is Canada poised to handle the War that will ensue when the world runs out of fresh water. It’s no longer a matter of if, but when…

Maybe…
Let’s add a few more Rs the big 3: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. How about Revaluate, Reconstruct and Reclaim. In the future, fixing the problem isn’t going to be about “fixing the system”…the dis-ease is far too ingrained and systemic. The only way to fix it is to start viewing it through a completely new paradigm. At this point in history we are just starting to ride the new waves of technological revolution (of the combined “promise” of nanotechnology and synthetic biology)-where manufacturing, trade and in fact the creation of artificial life (google Craig Venter sometime) are being manipulated and re-envisioned according to their quantum properties.

But in the midst of all this scary shit may lie a gift. An opportunity to look at it all with fresh eyes. To ask the question: just because we can, does that mean we should? Is technology always the answer? Does social justice play a role? How can I say "No"- who do I say it to? Is technological progress inevitable? (Of course not-sometimes it's not even progress!) What do I value? What do I want my future to look like? Can I keep living like this? What will I have to sacrifice, and -more importantly- what is the hidden sacrifice if I don’t. How long will it remain hidden?

I wish to live in a new reality in which “balance” -in all the ways that it can be conceived- is the new rule of law.