The difference between utility and utility plus beauty
is the difference between telephone wires and the spider web.
– Edwin Way Teale –
Edwin Way Teale was an American naturalist, photographer and writer. Teale’s works serve as primary source material documenting environmental conditions across North America from 1930 – 1980. He is perhaps best known for his series The American Seasons, four books documenting over 75,000 miles (121,000 km) of automobile travel across North America following the changing seasons.
Which comes first in my blog post discovery process, a quote or an image illustrating the point? For me, both because both are unique perspectives of a common truth…sometimes one may make itself known first, sometimes the other. I do research on the author of any quote I use on this blog because I like to understand more of the person behind the quote. I’m cultivating the habit of sharing a little about the author along with the quote.
Here’s another “first” question for you. Which comes first, caring about other people or caring about the environment? I can’t see separating the two (but our leadership in Washington DC would try and tell you different.)
I’ve seen this sort of thing in India and Nepal but it feels almost surreal to see it in a European city. Great capture.
Cedric, I was surprised to see this method of wiring in Bucharest but it was prevalent throughout the city. Good luck to the city utility/electrical workers!
Thanks!
Interesting topic on the discovery process. As I also use quotes at times for some posts, I guess it is a bit of a mix for me. I would say a majority of the time, I might find a quote that compliments an idea or image I already have in mind. The exceptions would be that I stumble upon a quote that just deserves a post. :-)
As far as your last question, I believe caring about the environment will ultimately include caring about people, but not necessarily the other way around. Our own personality types probably have influence over which one we would pick. In my opinion (supported by evidence of course), our human-centric economy largely does not factor in environmental costs, giving a very biased calculation of “growth.” If we were to include environmental costs in many parts of our economy, the picture would be radically different. And in some ways, we are displacing environmental costs by outsourcing to avoid stricter environmental regulations. But that doesn’t eliminate the costs, only transfers them somewhere else.
About your photo, LOL! I have seen similar on programs about India, like Cedric. I guess an example of human ingenuity when there is a need.
There is certainly a disconnect between our western society and our environment, even when the writing is on the wall that the days of continual expansion and limitless resources are over or at least near the end. Change is hard and those whose livelihood is based upon the old ways will resist…to be expected I guess. If would be great if we as consumers could easily access information on the total environmental life-cycle (production-life-deposal) impact of products before we purchased them. I’m certain some of those products we’re led to believe have a small environmental footprint may be exceptionally “dirty” in production and disposal.
Oh I agree. It takes so much research to understand the complete impact of it is even available.
There are labels on food for calories, etc – why not environmental cost?
Quite frankly it is just exhausting thinking about it.
I don’t remember where you settled in after leaving the RV life, but hope you are not impacted by Florence. It’s going to get bad. Hope Maggie is well.
We’re currently still located in the general Charlotte, NC, area (about 180 miles from the current forecasted landfall point) and according to the local weather forecast this morning they were calling for 2-4″ of rain and fairly light winds with perhaps some heavier gust. But it could all change. The path is projected to remain northeast of us so that puts us on the less harsh side of the storm. Of course, that doesn’t stop all the water and bread from being gone from local stores and lines at Gas Stations. I expect eastern NC to be a real mess but many of the coastal residents are thankfully listening and heading this way.
Hugo in 89 did a lot of damage in this area but it came ashore around Charleston, SC, and then up the SC flatlands straight to Charlotte keeping much of its punch intact. Florence is projected to come ashore a good bit north of Charleston at Wilmington, NC, and then stall out and let’s hope Florence is better behaved.
Maggies doing better but still very scared of storms so it’s going to be a tough week for her (and us.) Thanks for asking!