occamsgalileo

[occamsgalileo]

What is Comedy?

From the chitlin circuit to vaudeville to radio and television to the social media platforms landing on the trendsetting memes like Bernie in his wool gloves, comedy is subjective, offensive, heartfelt, nuanced and complicated. In the end comedy is meant to stir emotion and comediennes over the last century have challenged the stereotypes of what is means to be funny and that not only white American men can do it snd do it well. Laughter is universal and found in all forms, and transcends all ages, cultures and genders. 

From the pioneers like Mom's Mabley who fought to work in an era where she wasn't even allowed in, to women like Carol Burnett who

worked in an all male dominated field, carved her own niche brand of comedy--with her infamous curtain rod scene, to Lucy stomping grapes,

to activists Whoopi Goldberg and brash Joan Rivers to millennial Gen Z-r Amy Schumer; these are contemporary powerful women and trailblazers who became producers, directors and writers of comedy. Generations of comediennes from the turn of the century that include men like Jon Stewart who have used their platform for social justice and social outrage to Trevor Noah have changed the rules that comedy is only just comedy. It can level the way we think about politics, socioeconomics and climate change.

We live in a world where we are walking the line of fear to say things we must need to know--these comediennes of change, help tp bridge that gap in making the tough conversations--relatable, relevant. These are groundbreakers, rebels and mainstream heroes changing the way we listen to, watch and think about what is funny and what is worth making fun of right now in American comedy.

[occamsgalileo]

Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet by Thich Nhat Hanh

You do not live just for yourself; you live for other people. Your peace, freedom, and joy also profit others; you are already helpful. And so, when you breathe mindfully or walk mindfully and create joy and peace, that is already a gift for the world.” ― Thich Nhat Hanh, Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet

I was gifted The Energy of Prayer from my husband after we were married many years ago, and this was my first introduction to Thich's teachings. What spoke to me was how authentic, compassionate and joyful his words are and I wanted to soak up every lesson he shared...mind you I use the word share. He is not condescending or self-righteous in his knowledge and this to me is the most profound difference in his authenticity and why he awarded a nobel prize.

My favorite quote from this book, as he pointedly makes the distinction that we have the responsibility and power to be mindful everyday in ALL things that we think, believe, say and do.

Our actions or inactions when it comes to the planet, must come from a place of compassion. If we truly seek to change the world around us, we have to start from within. Ask ourselves, what matters to me? What matters to my community? How can I change the world around me right now?

(Thay) Thich Nhat Hanh, is a scholar, poet and human rights activist. He is also a Buddhist Zen Master, and in 1967 nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize by Martin Luther King. Now, anyone can consider themselves a teacher, instructor, what is profound and authentic in his work is that he did practice what he lived, and teaches.

Many men of our generation claim to be masters of their craft based upon their status, followers or money. This is the work of demigods. We live in a generation where we see the loss of hope, mental well being and it is because we have men in particular that do not show the true essence of integrity, honesty, lovingkindness...it is no wonder we have a generation of lost young adults committing suicide and seeking fulfillment in all things, anything--in his work he SHARES how we can return to the center of all things....BALANCE. I connect to this personally as I felt lost as a young adult and almost chose a decision that would've ruined my life based on someone proclaiming to be a "Zen Master". Thank God, I came to the realization that my own intuition, my own power was greater and I had the choice to change my life--that is when you know the difference between a leader and a demigod.

There is no ego to his work, his activism or his book. There is no inkling of vanity or celebrity, but what he has left are words of wisdom and action sin his life's work for us to follow in regards to mindfulness, meditation, community service and patronage.

He was vorn in Hue Vietnam and founded the Van Hanh Buddhist University in Saigon, the School of Youth and Social Service and the Plum Village Buddhist community and meditation centre in France, where he lived for several years. A few months before he died January 2022, a team of disciples from Plum Village-the monastery that he established published this book. It a book about ethics, being and interbeing and compassion for ourselves, others and the world we inhabit.

I especially connected to points he made regarding finding peace within and not from outside of us. In this celebrity obsessed, media world, it is essential that we take time to "tune" out from the distractions that we sleep with, wake with and live with on an hourly basis. Looking into ourselves instead of scrolling instagram and facebook all day helps us to see why we are so agitated, disconnected, and what we can do to lift ourselves and gift ourselves the peace and calm we deserve as human beings. Happiness does not come from outside, but we can learn to coexist.

This is what he articulates about the idea of INTERBEING or DEPENDENT ARISING. The idea that is central to Buddhist philosophy: “The notion of a separate self is like a tunnel that you keep going into. When you practice meditation, you can see that there is the breathing but no breather can be found anywhere; there is the sitting but no sitter can be found anywhere. When you see that, the tunnel will vanish, and there will be a lot of space, a lot of freedom.”

Thinking we are separate from the world and the things in it, contributes to the innate primal act of destroying things and people. We fail to see our interconnectedness.

•How does this book change, disrupt or enhance the definition of "celebrityhood".  We arrived very late, yet we behave as if we’re the boss here. We believe ourselves to be exceptional. We think we have a right over everything else and every other species, as though they have been created for us. With this view, we have done a lot of damage to the Earth. We want safety, prosperity, and happiness only for humans, at the expense of everything else.”

I think many celebrities are embracing all sorts of forms of mindfulness authentically, of course some for profit, but at least it is in the forefront and a conversation to help people get help when they are in positions of crisis and stress.

In this statement he highlights how we (men/women) have damaged the earth around us by our own consumption, without accountability. The idea for example, that within the last year, while we are experiencing climate change and food insecurity we watched a handful of billionaires shoot rockets into space for an exorbitant amount of money and for what purpose?

If we totaled the amount of money spent to send the vanity rockets into space what could we have spent that money on?

•What contributions does this book make to social change and activism?

I think this book can be a guide in how to address basic ethical and political concerns we have in our communities. How to take the courage to fight for change in something. For example, my son had to do an essay on communities struggling throughout the U.S. He chose a town of roughly 50 people down from 500 in Sandbranch,Texas about 20 miles from Dallas, that do not have running water....exactly. I was shocked, so shocked, then angered, then sadness, thinking about how easy it is for me to simply wash my dishes when someone can't even drink a glass of clean water in a country where a billionaire shot a rocket into space....that I decided for us both to write letters to our local Senators and find a way to make "good trouble".

Thay points out the irony of peace movements being led by people whose minds are filled with anger, hatred, and vengefulness. He says, “If you are an activist, and you’re eager to do something, you should begin with yourself.."

•What new concept did this book introduce to the world? What are some of the ripple effects?

I believe accountability and meditation has been talked about alot during the pandemic in how to cope with the daily stresses of covid, death, anxiety and mental health. So much so that I recall an a segment on ABC news about mindfulness by Dan Harris, who is now leaving his post to focus solely on his company that promotes mindfulness and meditation.

Also for the first time ever in our history, were we able to see the actual physical affects of the world not consuming and destroying the planet and how clean the air was over the earth if not but for a moment, we got to see how the earth should be. Even the animals were glad to walk around freely without fear of humans killing them for sport and trophy.

He says, “To meditate is to be aware of what is going on, and what was going on at that time was suffering and the destruction of life… We had to find a way to practise mindful breathing and do walking meditation while helping those wounded by the bombs – because if you don’t maintain a spiritual practice during the time you serve, you will lose yourself and you will burn out… We learned to breathe, to walk, to release the tension so we could keep going.”

He talked about how he tried to see the world around him in a different way: “I tried to train myself to see that Europe was beautiful too; the trees, the rivers, and the sky there were all also beautiful… Over time, the sorrow and longing deep in my consciousness had been embraced by concentration and insight.” He was able to make peace with what happened in Vietnam with the war eventually returning there and spent his last days there before his death. His work by helping to build Plum Village and several other practice centers around the world he used the analogy of the lotus blooming from muck and mud so often to describe how something great and beautiful can come from something perceived ugly and damaging. We can do this in our lives too.

#Youtube

[occamsgalileo]

tree of life

Suzanne Simard's presentation on the importance of the life giving and nurturing aspects of the forest and trees, reminded me of a book I read recently titled The Abandoned Baobab by Ken Bugul. The author who takes us on a journey about her struggles throughout childhood to the freedoms she found in America and part struggles refers to the Baobab tree with great reverence and fondness as this tree is also synonymous with life aspects of life sustaining protection and history of the Senegalese people. Much like Suzanne's charge to all of us, we need to take pride in these nurturers and mother trees that are not only here for their beauty, but they are interconnected into the earth, our lands, to our foods and our lives. We offer them better respect than we have been giving to catastrophic results.

My sketch of the BaoBab Tree

If communities developed the initiative to join forces and coops for the preservation of trees and forests within our communities, it would not only help sustain our environment but also benefit generations after us. We can learn so much from the network, DNA and lives of trees. I had no idea that one way to sustain them is by regeneration; learning about preserving the genes of mother trees that have these infinite biological pathways and networks, is remarkable. It proves that trees do have a biological intelligence that far surpasses our own imagination. Her passion has spurned me to take more interest into the trees around me that are alive and life giving and protect them.

With the devastation of the rain forests we have seen over the years as well as those referenced by Suzanne in her talk about the mega fire in Alberta, it helps us to see why it has entered our human consciousness because it has become so much a part of the conversation with climate change. So many facets of the earth that we live in are affected by climate change and unfortunately, these life giving trees that are supposed to flourish in our beautiful forests are dying at a rapid rate we cannot keep up with and replenish.

When I come beneath the pines, into that particular dappled light, time slows, and I fall under their spell. My science brain and my intuitive brain are both alight with knowing.”—Robin Wall Kimmerer 

This quote reminded me of the universal intuitive feelings people have in regards to the life of trees. It reminds us of the times any one of us may have lay beneath a tree as a kid and looked up into the sky--in that very moment time really does feel like it stops and the world is quiet for that brief moment.

My experience with a tree takes me back to my home in Brooklyn, We had a small backyard and a pear tree. I remember the tree dropping so many pears onto the ground and thinking how proud I felt having a tree in my backyard. It made me feel special, because having a tree was unheard of living in the asphalt city!

#saveourtrees

#conservationiscool

[occamsgalileo]

StreetARt!

Norwalk in da House! Who knew street art would find its way t Connecticut? I've always known "tagging" and urban graffiti to be synonymous with the Bronx or Brooklyn as a teenager. So it was fun to discover a place that carved a niche for artists, like @fivefingaz, who I've never hear of, are locals to the area commissioned by the town to use this section of the Art Park to make fun, engaging murals and art for the residents and visitors to the area. I feel this adds a new dimension to a town and the public discourse amongst its residents, competing for visitors, funding and attention as the surrounding wealthier towns of Greenwich and Westport.

This are of Wall Street has a welcoming expression and brightening up of the neighborhood of downtown Norwalk, which also has become a political statement of sorts.

As was this case in the 70's & 80's when urban youth took to the streets and tagged all over neighborhoods with their street names, logos of gang initiation, etc. This mural is one of the most popular in the neighborhood and was fun to find and interact with.

All of the artists are local or have signed their names to their murals. Such as awake the soul art, @awakethesouls-blog and @fivefingaz. I've never "tagged" in my neighborhood for the exception of the dollar store chalk to play hopscotch! But these murals have definitely inspired the artist in me to create. It was a fun afternoon discovering all the art in the neighborhood in an unsuspecting area. Our last stop was in the Art park where we found the best fresh baked chocolate chip smore cookies at @rebeldaughtercookies--definitely worth the trip!

https://www.instagram.com/rebeldaughtercookies/

[occamsgalileo]

Girls Just Wanna have Fun.....

How does Fast Fashion impact you directly? In summarizing the sentiment of The opening line from the short film on fast fashion "We're producing too much" tells us the true cost of fashion isn't in the price tag, but in all the waste that we've allowed and are allowing into our planet on a daily basis. It doesn't register the rational mind from consumer up to political figures who legislate laws that could help to prevent such waste, but we also are accountable for contributing to the planet's output-All of our decisions are interconnected and it affects us all directly from our wallets to our health.

Which celebrity brands are doing the most to address sustainability? Rihanna has been a celebrity I've followed over the course of her career in regards to her products that branched off into fashion and cosmetics, because her goal has always been to give back to her Caribbean community she calls home. Her alliance with the Clara Lionel Foundation is part of her mission as a citizen of Barbados and ambassador to help communities ravaged by natural disasters. Her makeup line Fenty is 100% cruelty free. www.fenty.com

Greewashing is a term I've never heard of and by researching more into the issues of economics and clean living and producing this is a system in and of itself that is rampant across the globe. Greenwashing is a deceptive practice by companies that are deceiving comsumers into believing they are a part of the eco community. Their products are eco friendly and make claims of their products that aren't truthful. Entire sites online are created to police their corruptive efforts and you would be shocked at the companies involved in these practices, some are probably in your closet as you're reading this. https://earth.org/greenwashing-companies-corporations/

MUSHROOM LEATHER is not a new grunge band but actually a product that will help to save the waste in the issue of fast fashion. Adi Reza Nugroho has created this process where the actual distillation of the central core of mushroom can mimic leather w/o chemical pvc as by product. It is animal friendly and helps the consuming of fashion much less and aids in the reduction of carbon emissions that is produced in waste.

Will vegans be key players in sustainable fashion? I think whether you consider yourself a vegan or not, if you come to the realization with the knowledge that this is our ONE true planet that must be cared for by us and not "someone else's " problem, then we have a chance to make the planet healthy while we are here and for generations after us.

Three facts on sustainable fashion and my own practices with regard to fast fashion and sustainability.

* Organic cotton, natural fibers, organic hemp and TENCEL are a few of the most sustainable clothing fabrics  so look for them when you add to your wardrobe.

Fabletics and SKIMS are a few products also produced by women owned brands-Kate Hudson and Good American by Chloe Kardashian have jeans for women that go up to size 32 as opposed to the antiquated sizes that only serve women under size 12-when women in America on average are a size 14. These companies strive to do good while producing their products.

* In the United States alone, over 25 million pounds of clothing are ending up in landfills or incinerators each year

Buy something that will last a lifetime....that is the best advice or one of from my mother gave me when it comes to clothes. I have clothes dating back over 20 years that still hold up to today, becuase I try to buy only what I need and splurge on what I want maybe 3 times a year and that is usually shoes.

* The best way to be more sustainable is by choosing quality pieces that will last a long time over cheaper ones that you know will go out-of-style. This is the best way to purchase fashion, check your closet first and see how you can recycle your wardrobe? Instead of throwing away, donate to companies like Dress for Success for women in need and help another person create a new life in your favorite looks.

#Youtube

[occamsgalileo]

Nada...

Nada....

Jenny Odell is my new hero, in a world that has become so chaotic and scheduled filled-the intensity to feel you need to have every minute of the day and your families calendar filled with an activity every moment, is simply exhausting and anxiety giving. Her book, How to do Nothing, everyone should read, especially every modern parent.

This beautiful swan who floats up and down the river at the end of my house came out one day and decided to stroll the road. I was fixated as so were a lot of the neighbors and glad I was able to catch this photo. I was amazed at a few things of this beautiful creature; how big she was, I think it was a she because she strolled like she was on a runway! how tall it was, at least 4 ft high, and how elegant and clean it looked. Just how peaceful she looked doing nothing....just strolling.....on the road, feeling the ground with her huge webbed feet, (at least a size 6!) and when she/he had enough of us staring at her/him, went right back in the water.

My favorite quote from the book is in reference usage… "To be sure, it gave me a valuable new perspective on how I use technology. " This is something we all need to ask ourselves often, as if we are getting our own system update. How do I "use" my phone for example. This book gave me an awareness as to how and why I use technology. Am I serving the phone or is it serving me?

Self-Reflection, Empathy and Outreach. The pandemic was a curse and blessing as it gave the opportunity for everyone who could, the awareness to look inward and to slow down in the daily lives. Some people divorced, relationships parted, people walked away from jobs, careers, some completely uprooted and moved to different locales in search of peace. There were two worlds that lived paralleled to this pandemic. Obviously those who were on the front lines who had no choice but to attend to the sick and those who assisted couldn't slow down. Then there were individuals, especially family units, that had to take a pause and see where they were at in terms of finances, goals, activities, social and spiritual connections. The first time many fathers who were normally not at home had to reconnect with their children, wives. When you're forced to be at home for your safety there is no choice but to look at your own four walls and reflect on where are you in your life and are you happy right now? If not, then what are you going to do about it?

Self-esteem equity (I made up that word btw :) I think this is how the attention economy benefits from our social media activity and media streaming consumption. Ask yourself this if you can in the split second before you open up Instagram or any internet app or streaming service…am I….HALT? Most often when we're feeling a certain kind of way is when we need media activity. I experienced this just the other day when I noticed a co-workers shoes. There it was like a drug….I needed to find those shoes. Literally after I left work I sat in my car and scrolled through at least twenty sites and apps to pin down this shoe. When I did it felt like a natural high….for shoes! Do I need those shoes? They looked great on her feet, maybe not mine, but the actions I took all over my social media to find them in retrospect spoke to my own HALT. Pink Floyd sang it best, we become "comfortably numb." Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired.

Celebrity culture…I saw on the news a commercial for the new Kardashian show on Hulu. Now as I explained above my obsession are like Carrie Bradshaw's, well Carrie's best friend who lives in Brooklyn and shops at Macy's. My shows are movies, shows like Fleabag, I can't imagine watching 20 seasons of Kim, but to each his/her own. My first thought was didn't they just end their show on E! because they did 20 seasons? I'm assuming for a family who created a celebrity culture of appearances, looking outside, taking pics incessantly are incapable of "doing nothing". It speaks to their need to feel embedded in celebrity for fear of being forgotten perhaps? The need to always be on and in front of a camera speaks to self-esteem. Do we as viewers need to see them "do nothing" again for another 20 seasons? Do you want to watch Kim Kardashian at 50 years old posing naked, taking selfies, doing nothing?

My digital detox breaks are at the end of every day and on Sundays. Once I noticed my family all had their phones at the dinner table at a restaurant I put my foot down. No one is allowed to have their phone on them after 5pm, out in public and we keep them in the kitchen by a charger. I don't have a landline so I need my phone, but I don't "NEED" my phone…. I use my night clock alarm instead of the phone alarm often and it makes for better sleeping when you're awareness isn't unconscious awaiting an annoying notification.

When you're phone is not by your head, in the evening while sleeping (which a friend always told me is a dangerous thing to do because of the "nanowaves" she called it, are circling around your brain and bad for you. Well, the idea of waves around my head had kept me scared, so I leave my phone downstairs or across the room while I sleep. I enjoy sleep and have no attachment issues, so I could live with or without my phone…my son is another case altogether as is my husband, they would need a Jenny retreat without phones ASAP! and you better believe, I would enjoy doing nothing at home while they were away!

Nature is reminder by Jenny to return to what is pure and untouched by technology. It is an honest authentic reprieve from a chaotic, plastic world, in my opinion. Despite the unfortunate bird watching drama with a young black man during the pandemic, I've seen this activity pick up more and more on my runs at the beach.

Experiment: Leave your phone at home for one hour to talk a walk in your neighborhood. Write down your observations when you return and draw a map of your path. What did you observe? Take a photo of your map to include in your book review. Did the experience provide any revelations? So this experiment for me is not new, as I try to walk more at least three times a day but motly as runner I go to the beach. This walk gave me chance to write down what I usually comment on with my husband and notice on my own...the different smells of nature at different times of the day..morning time everything feels and smells new, everything is awakening or rising, I've noticed a new home being built that before was just a path of dirt and now is looking like another mega mansion will be there and block a beautiful view of the river. Now Im annoyed on my walk, but I walk... :)

What does Odell mean by 'doing nothing?' Are we capable of doing nothing? When I was 11 I think I perfected the art of doing nothing. Well nothing as far as not consumed with being or becoming. Those moments of the day when I had a "moment" alone, friends aren't home, it's rainy, my favorite book was "Are you There God it's me Margaret" by Judy Blume. I would grab my book and curl up in my favorite spot of the living room and read it straight through till I slept. Sometimes, I'd stop and draw, but in those moments, I know now, I knew that I was comfortable with being on my own-I was independent and enjoyed my own company. Sometimes, I'd sit and look out the window.....just sit and stare and daydream, sometimes draw.....and for me this was my nothing, but it was all mine.

[occamsgalileo]

The Human Circus

who are the real animals?

Can celebrities like Cher have an impact on empathy for animals?

I think the power of celebrity is a catch 22-because with fame comes the ability to reach many people in many avenues of news, science, fashion, technology, etc. but with that comes an authenticity that must be parallel to the individual's desire and their endgame. I think celebrities like Cher, are authentic in their personality and nature as she from my perspective and research only commits to projects and causes that deeply affect her. Her greatest asset is her empathy and that cannot be "acted" but must be enacted and I feel she can rally many people to help save animals in need.

Jane Goodall has also committed her life to the study and preservation of our world's most endangered species and fragile wildlife systems. Her name alone is synonymous with kindness, help and learning. I think her most important lesson she teaches is that animals-the gorillas she champions especially in part her "friend" Gremlin, she describes as having a connection with through the mind. She reminds us of the importance of how intelligent these animals are and how much we need to respect their place and role in the wildlife. Interviewed by Prince William, they both share a love of conservation, him from his mother Lady Diana Spencer when she was alive championed this.

What is the 6th Greatest Extinction event and how does it relate to the Anthropocene? The 6th greatest extinction event is due in part to humans inability to create, enact and codify laws that will prevent the continual extinction of species globally. Our inability to protect, maintain track and safeguard the activities of earth's greatest species in a human failure despite our abundant access to and inheent knowledge of science. It is interconnected to the Anthropocene because of our failures in regards to curtailing the rapid fatalities that occur and will occur due to climate change.

I am most aware of the blue whale being on the unfortunate list of the endangered species. They are my favorite sea life creature

blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus), Adult blue whales can grow to lengths of more than 30 metres

The most majestic beautiful creatures on earth are the blue whales. They unfortunately have made a distressing list of being one of the most endangered species on earth. You wonder, how can something so tragic come to an animal that gives so much beauty to the ocean, to song, poems of humans and you also wonder how have we allowed this to happen?

There are fewer than 25,000 blue whales, the largest animals on the planet. The blue whale is comprised of several subspecies, and the blue whales are found in all of the world’s oceans save the Arctic. The blue whale current population ias of to date in 2022 is recorded to be reduced by 90% It is the threat of commercial hunting that threatened these creatures and finally this act of fishing and capture was banned in 1966. The National Marine Fisheries Service of the U.S. began an action to create a recovery of the whales. 1998. It stipulated the maintenance of photo databases of individual specimens and the collection of genetic and migration data in order to better understand the species. The blue whale is also at threat by risk of pollution, being caught in fishing nets and hit by ships; unfortunate collision accidents in the seas.

#Youtube

[occamsgalileo]

Sometimes Animals are the better Friends, let's protect them!

Fascinating facts I learned from this breath taking film about the mysterious creature of the deep--the octopus, was that their life span is relatively finite and fragile from one to three years if that.

My idea of this species was always in fear as from the surface they appeared to me to be this scary, amphibian creature reminiscent from the scary 1950's sci-fi era movies. As a child myself who grew up on an island and loved the ocean, these creatures were always revered to be respected and left alone once you came upon them, the antithesis of what I feel to be in America these creatures of the deep are to be captured, analyzed and torn apart from their homes for our enjoyment. I left from this film feeling such a new found deep respect and love of this creature that once frightened me. now intrigues me and encourages me to explore the ocean more out of admiration and interconnectedness as (Craig Foster) the diver in this film feels. It's quite remarkable.

What was so compelling was to see how Craig Foster, this man whose only goal was to find a sense of himself, in the midst of what appears to be his own struggle with mental health and crisis, found another source of comfort and peace by interacting with the octopus who he names as "she". For example, in exploring the beauty of the octopus, he carefully touches the tentacles of the creature allowing it to use the "suckers" which are located on the bottoms of their (legs) tentacles, to crawl if you will along his hand and arm; he must carefully take each one off individually, so as not to harm himself or her.

What is anthropomorphism and how could this tendency shape or distort the narrative? Someone watching this film may feel his intentions or search for self encroaches on this particular environment the octopus lives--given that anthropomorphism allows for a distorted transference of feelings or emotions to non humans. For example, you may view this thinking, is he crazy to spend every day in the water? How can he sense or feel what the octopus is feeling? The culmination of Craig's experience being the creation f th Sea Change Project, helps to bring awareness to the issue of the conservation of the sea kelp forest. He made the invisible language of these creatures through his own familial crisis visible.

I think this film resonated with so many viewers during the height of the COVID pandemic because as a nation, as an interconnected world, it was the first time, through no choice of our own, that the oceans, the skies, the forests, were left alone to literally breathe and detoxify. We were unable to venture into them for our safety, but in a sense it was a opportunity for these delicate, fragile places, these environments that we abuse, litter and destroy had a moments peace to exist and thrive. We longed to see the oceans and were fascinated by the facts we learned from the places we use so much of and don't respect enough to replenish.

#oceanlife #octopuses

[occamsgalileo]

The Important Connection between Environmentalism and Black Lives Matter

Celebrating women this day we see so many young women on the ground fighting for others and it is inspiring to see especially these young women use their voices for those who haven't been heard.

Who is Leah Thomas? Leah Thomas identifies herself as an intersectional environmental activist, blogger and eco-communicator. The murder of George Floyd, ignited within her to garner support for Black lives from the environmental community. She posted online and explained what her position and title is and does.

“[I] really wanted to encourage environmentalists that I’ve stood alongside in climate protests to stand alongside me and all the Black people in America right now.” – Leah Thomas

Since that post Leah founded intersectionalenvironmentalist.com

COP26 gave A significant move but slow push in recognition of climate change--agreeing to the fatal destruction rather than pivoting to other topics or averting our attention there are now formidable plans to control climate change at this summit. This UN summit hosting leaders all over the world agreed on two important factors: limiting warming to 1.5��C has been formally recognized. A positive step toward ending the destruction of our forests: over 130 countries (representing over 85% of the world’s forests) committed to reverse deforestation and land degradation by 2030. A significant achievement, and a step up from promises made before, but the proff will be seen in the world evidently.

What is Intersectional Environmentalism and how does it relate to Black Lives Matters (2-3 paragraphs)?

Black Lives Matter is not just a slogan but has managed to do what no other cry for justice has--made the world look at the historical, systemic institutions and treatment of an entire race and culture. In a digital age where we now have the access to instant news and entertainment we also have the access to brutality and climate change in real time.

As a country we saw the life of a black man disintegrated before our own eyes and every mother, sister, aunt no matter what race was cut with the flame of empathy and anger all at once. It finally made sense these phrase we all have heard for decades and it made people finally listen.

Unfortunately, brutality, devastation is how we take notice of situations and enact change. As a people this has been our common way of operating. Not until a crisis happens or if it affects you do we "do something".

The inequities that counties, some entire continents that suffer greater and differently than the U.S. for example, like Kenya or the Sudan, intersectional environmentalism gives a light to how climate change offers a voice and justice for those whose impact of climate change if felt more deeper due to lower socioeconomic levels.

I am painfully reminded of the inequities just at a local level when I see a large gas guzzling Suburban Sedans at school drop offs and wonder just how much emissions and waste come from some of these million dollar homes that consume and dispose excess? As we see gas prices soar, will people help the cause by giving up these large cars that frankly having been almost sideswiped by one shouldn't be on the road! Or do they continue just like the COP26 had been and look the other way? I plan on trading in my car and using electric if that helps in any way. Those who can should and those who can't we must help even more.

Who is Leah Penniman? Leah Penniman who's background is quite fascinating of a Black Kreyol farmer/ a peyizan, mother, who considers herself an author, a soil nerd and food justice activist. Soul Fire Farm She co-founded Soul Fire Farm in 2010 with the mission to end racism in the food system and reclaim our ancestral connection to land. Leah is part of a team that facilitates powerful food sovereignty programs –Soul Farm is important to the climate movement because its mission is to make the playing field of the food systems equal and to educate impoverished families Her training with farmers all over the world like Ghana, Haiti, and Mexico offer her th eopportunity to show the most proficient and sustainable way to create, seed, and produce foods where possible that are healthy for families. She is offering education which is one of the most powerful tools in the under served population.

Making changes and their voices heard as well are young recent graduates like Kristy Drutman--she became part of the COP24 delegation and uses her platform to document how journey up to the delegation. As "Brown Girl Green" She is showing others who may image themselves in her how important it is to get involved on these matters. Her goal to be a gateway for disenfranchised communities offers another helping hand in access to information. Her foundation in mental well being through art, mindfulness, and relationship building are core tenets of sustainable activism and who she is as an activist. Here is her podcast to learn more:

Environmentalism reaches many areas of industries especially in farming. In this podcast How to save a planet, gives us different perspectives on working a farm, from a much smaller plot to a large commercial operation of one thousand acres. We hear these terms like regenerative farming which is better for the ecosystem because its purpose is to have a conservation and rehabilitation approach to food and farming systems. It focuses on topsoil regeneration, increasing biodiversity, improving the water cycle for example. One thing I was intrigued by is the open and raw honest dialogue as to why some people of color are averse to the idea of farming which is historical from the era of slavery. The push for the rights in reclaiming lands ones ancestors worked and died on often murdered upon through 40 acres and mule is not just reparations but to empower a new generation of Blacks in American for a lifetime. Spike Lee was a vocal advocate for social justice through his films and film company of the aforementioned name in the popular well known firehouse in downtown Brooklyn.

[occamsgalileo]

Climate Change has no Color

1. Who is Vanessa Nakate? Why is the photograph important?

Ukraine, home to thousands of people of color from several countries studying for a higher education are right now in the midst of war quickly becoming refugees and voicing their outrage over their treatment at the border of Ukraine. Marcus Ryder Head of consultancy at the Lenny Henry Center for Diversity in his open letter of the conflict coverage to media outlets, stresses the importance of equal coverage to people of color in tragic disasters and conflicts and calls out the BBC as not giving adequate coverage to reports of indignant, racist/biased behavior by border patrol at the Ukraine border to individuals who are not blonde hair and blue eyed. "please don't let values of diversity and anti-racism also be a victim of this war"

To compare and contrast Vanessa is confirming this underlying universal problem of bias-when disasters occur it is often people of color and their stories that become buried in the lens of the coverage, interest, funding, journalistically. Through this picture above it is a stark reality of extrication-being cut off from a photo meant to highlight the new age of fighters for climate change and the discussion of the important global look at climate change, here representation matters and her dark face to most representing people of color is cut off and does not matter above-this mirrors funding, assistance, attention that is often cut off from people of color. This also shows ignorance of our global community where skin color by face value does not matter of factly equate culture.

Every disaster, crisis, story needs a face and Greta" who started Fridays For Future movement, has been chosen by the media as the young face of climate change in our century not Vanessa, although by Vanessa's accounts and statistics she provides in her book, African countries that consume and produce the least in emissions will suffer the most.Vanessa's parent's encouraged her and her siblings to do what they thought was right and not popular; my favorite quote from the book was her decision to become an activist and how she made it. It was a visceral reaction led by feeling, that intuitive lightbulb that goes on inside you when you know you have to strike when the moment arrives in your life. The catalyst of worry from friends that she would be going against everything they were taught, forced her to decide: 2. "I knew delayed too long already. It was time for me to leave that place of fear and face the world." is my favorite quote by Vanessa from her book.

3. Economic disparity is one of the themes I feel Vanessa has highlighted so eloquently with urgency and real facts that expose the hesitancy and probably more so sheer neglect on the part of many politicians with the power to pass bills and legislation in favor to saving the planet and not increasing wealth for their own agendas.

The World Meteorological Association data predicts that you and I, our children will live to see unimaginable devastation--the threshold for temperature increase is 2 degrees celsius; by 2024 which is two years away temperatures will increase by 1.5 celsius and by 2050 3 degrees and 7 which is devastating unlivable conditions by 2100. Africa is th eleast emitter of carbons but the most affected by climate crisis. 15 percent of the world population only emits 2/3 percent of CO2 emissions. Deforestation is also contributing to an increase in landslides in the regions of Kenya, Sudan for example. These regions who once experienced natural cyclical changes in their environments now experience far more rapidly intensity of greater damage.

4.  "Nakate is conscious of the power her voice wields, and the world would benefit from listening." (Kirkus Reviews) Vanessa is using her voice to help the countries that will and are being affected by climate crisis the most. The courage and purpose it took for her to speak out against the traditions of her culture and family are paramount. She is an example of how leadership is sparked and developed and how we as followers of her and every other activist movement can use her example as a template to do something in our own communities. It's no coincidence that there are more commercials now advocating for clean energy, natural gas, to move away from antiquated coal usage.

Serendipitous that we're reading about a woman’s fight to sound the alarm for government and private sectors to act now when on Monday Feb 28th The supreme court is hearing oral arguments in a landmark case about the EPA's ability to regulate power plant emissions which could cripple Bidens plan and agenda to fight climate change. One of the most important climate change cases since 2007 EPA has the power to regulate co2 under the Clean Air Act; republicans attorney general led by West Virginia still has yet to prove how will they enact proper safeguards which is often the case in their policy where they are quick to cry fowl on actions where they see an opportunity to create wealth but have foregone the safety concerns for the public and have no policy structure to offer in place. They are stating that Congress should regulate instead of the EPA. If the court rules not in favor it will undercut the agency and the federal government's ability to help legislate the environmental problem by moving authority from the EPA to Congress and weakening our fight against this monumental problem.The power plant sector is the second largest in greenhouse gasses. Scientists tracking this are alarmed about the possible move.

5. What is Rise Up Movement Africa? https://www.riseupmovementafrica.org/ (Links to an external site.) One of the most informative and much needed sites, for up and coming, current activists, I've seen on a platform in a very long time. It's inspiring to see the well constructed nature of the content, images and information given by Vanessa on the site. The way its broken down into important areas of information and hubs, such as sustainable energy, pollution, etc. There are links providing up to date information and links for users to go to social sites where you can connect to get involved.

6. Video Impact --In order to get a message across Vanessa has used the power of her voice--the power of media in an age where the majority of Americans are now getting there news and information online. In this video, I connected to her message where she makes a personal impact with her pleas for us to become more educated not just for our own personal benefit, that we must step outside of our insular worlds wherever that may be and venture into other parts of the word. That could look like taking a trip with your friends to a place you've ever been and maybe volunteer, work, study in order to learn about a country other your own. She discusses accountability, the cost benefit ratio to investing in clean production and consumption. Vanessa stresses the idea of "am I my brothers keeper?" we are all in this together as cheesy as that may sound, we live on ONE planet that is suffering--literally.

#Youtube

[occamsgalileo]

Why I need Cameron, Viola, & Meryl at my next GYN appointment....

Should women be given more agency over their fertility decisions? How can we innovate around this?

it's 2022, I can order a car, a phone, buy a house and dinner and if I'm single a date ALL on my phone....this is the age of technology advances so surreal and sublime that it astonishes even the most cynical, but within the last ten years the changing political dynamic of the United States Supreme court has begun to rear its head and oddly somehow, for some reason again which appears cyclical a woman's reproductive system is at the focal point of discussion in every facet of society--and on the docket of he supreme court calendar. The U.S. most highest governing body which is supposed to be comprised of impartial, ethically inclined lawmakers who swear an oath to rule without passion or prejudice oddly is leaning not left nor right but toward an eery Handmaid Tale pseudo patriarchal superpower . Soon, it wouldn't matter how fabulous my phone is and what it can do, unless I have access to healthy, safe reproductive care. I'm an American and that's my right? Right?

Despite having dynamic women like RGB, O'Connor and Sotomayor having given paramount opinions, decisions and led the example of a what is a fair an impartial mind when it comes to making the most important decisions that affect a society, amounts to nothing when the lower courts of a nation are swayed by Governors hell bent on sticking their noses where they don't belong---in my GYN's office. Last time I checked and for most of you women reading this, only my doctor and I are allowed in this room. My checkup, fully protected under the HIPPA Act, now seems to be in jeopardy because a few politicians who have suddenly decided to read the Last Testament from cover to cover and without the guidance of scientific proof or medical doctors to back up their claims, in the last election cycle many touted their stance on why Roe Vs. Wade will be stricken down. They believe that somehow life begins after you've swiped right, at conception, or life begins at 4 weeks, or what they are really trying to say is "I'm a man and know better what you should do with your body than you do because you're a woman" . If you're conflicted about if women have the capability of making these decisions, try surrendering your passport at the consulate in Saudi Arabia or Iran and live there for a few weeks, a few days....good luck!

Should a woman be given total autonomy over her body? her fertility decisions?

I cant even believe we need to have this discussion when pre Roe Vs. Wade if a woman needed a D&C procedure she resorted to what was called "back alley abortions". As a woman with two young nieces I'm afraid of what their futures may hold if our country is trending toward a totalatarian, patriarchal society. With our population and birth rate trending downwards, I watched the first episode of Handmaids Tale and it intrigued me, but truly scared the crap out of my husband! Why? because the idea of an insurrection to the point of an entire governing body being slaughtered and taken over by zealots professing their hateful political, spiritual skewed views is not science fiction but almost happened. This is why celebrities with following ranging up to the tens of millions of followers are one of the best defenses (we hope) in helping to preserve the fragile laws on the books that protect women's rights, for now.

What does their power in media afford us? A voice, a platform, it bides us some time. Gone are the days of waiting to see what new unique name a celebrity was going to name their child, since Gwyneth and "Apple"

...Something happened, oh yeah, the climate really starting changing and things got Serious..at least until the next news cycle. Surely, the laws within the past year in many states that are being chipped away at are making us take notice to the fragility of democracy but it also makes us aware that a women in impoverished low income states, townships and districts need our help to make access to reproductive healthcare their right and not at the mercy of politicians who desire for their own political gains to make their lives difficult and nonexistent. We are afforded some time right now to use the voices we have to protect at least this generation.

The era of Truman Roosevelt surrounding the World War, from the stories I heard from my aunts and mother, this was a time of national pride and unity. Women left at home were united and left to don more hats to preserve the family unit while their men were away at war. On their return home the family unit became paramount and the marketing blitz, the idea of "madison avenue" since the 20's gave us the images of what the perfect family home should be...a home in the suburbs, a car, 2.5 kids...yes, somehow that number became part of the zeitgeist in american conversations that all women should aspire to stand by their men and create families.

I believe Roe Vs. Wade shattered this image, this concocted, fake American dream and women who once relied on men for their income, their self worth, company, now value their own autonomy. Women for over the last fifty years have educated themselves, created million dollar companies, set their sights on dreams we never thought imaginable and achieved them in every industry without apology. There are no shortages of examples of excellence of women for young girls to aspire to, the the questions begs to be--why are men so threatened by women? We never said we don't men, we said we can do things on our own and did exceptionally well and this has men angry, and even shockingly, some women.

Now with the recent supreme court justice appointments in the last few years with the controversial drama surrounding the appointment of Justices Kavanaugh and the midnight hail mary appointment of Barrett, whose opinions and political leanings lean far right, many women are in fear of not just their decisions around Roe Vs. Wade to be in jeopardy but the simple ability to have full autonomy over their body taken away from them within the next twenty, no five, perhaps next year....that soon in America the courts of America want to turn the clocks backwards and we will see what is was exactly like to live in the 1950's America. Women had little choice, little opportunity and frankly little freedoms. How far we've come to decide when and how family planning should begin. Women have redefined what fertility looks like and the image of the 2.5 american family is nonexistent.

No, that could never happen here in America, you say? We're nothing like North Korea, women have rights, we'd never be like Saudi Arabia--they're savages, yes this is what people actually say--I guess they haven't seen the Great Insurrection of 2020. The impenetrable walls of rights that were once enjoyed by women are closing in on us slowly but surely in The land of the free....the home.....of the brave...time to really read our history books again and understand who they were referring to....

[occamsgalileo]

Don't Look Up! review

"I'm feeling safer already..."

I stopped laughing enough just to write this review of what should be a required course for every entering freshman about modern ethics throughout every middle school and high school in the United States. This film is surely not a "sci-fi black comedy" as described; in my opinion true science fiction is relegated to epic movies: StarWars (1977) or Bladerunner 1982 (the one with Harrison Ford alone and not the one with "the other Ryan" :)

To its credit this movie is a template for what a dark comedy should be. It addresses difficult subjects and questions many people have universally and are either afraid to speak or resort to writing their frustration on a computer and sending it into Twitter universe eventually engaging in unproductive, comdiscourse with fellow The characters each represent a segment of society, that Meryl's character Madame President so eloquently describes during a meeting on how to get the message across about pulling together to tackle a disastrous plant killing comet: "Kate (Dibiasky-the comet for which it is named by her discovery) represents the disenfranchised, mentally ill, challenged youth..." The writing is cutting and delivered by the actors authentically with perfect comedic timing, unlike a typical documentary. For example, in the dueling concerts scene before the "end of the world", Jonah Hill's character Jason Orlean who unapologetically is a dim-witted, misogynistic Chief of Staff and heir apparent to Meryl who by the way let's bow to Meryl for a moment who slays mercilessly in her Devil Wears Prada blood red suit...........Meryl has managed to combine every controversial ridiculous male and female character of our lifetime in one oscar worthy character of the president America deserves: like Tammy Faye Baker, Imelda Marcos, Kayleigh McEnany to perfection. Her son, Jason Orlean tells the crowd: "...there's YOU the working class and us, the cool rich and then there's them. We need THEM because you build us up to fight them".

This movie Written and Directed by Andy McKay brought together an unusual casting of dynamic actors onscreen, if I had to guess why they signed on for this was for the opportunity to be directed by McKay who is known for allowing improvisation and open to actors making creative choices, that he actually uses in the final edit. Many of the lyrics Ariana Grande sings in the ridiculous over the top concert celebrating/memorializing "Don't Look Up" improvised some of her lyrics that were wickedly funny in my opinion.

Normally when a film has too many brilliant actors it never works, because you can sense them all competing for screen time or the best lines; but this film directed brilliantly with intelligent writing that didn't land as preaching to the viewer as often some documentaries may do, but have progressed to be more stylized like film-this movie had an impact of delivering its message. I didn't paricularly feel that this was a "climate change" movie, because it covered a myriad of social and political issues, I felt that this was more of a movie about ineptitude that can happen in any given situation; work, in the home, in industries that serve the public-the question I felt that was being asked is What happens when we trust people with no proven skill to run a country?

Don't Look Up! captures the tone of the times now universally through its intelligent, satirical writing touching on difficult, controversial subjects, like LGTBQ rights, adultery, global unification, political and spiritual warfare at home and on the airwaves, and most of that happened in the first half hour! Rarely do you get the perfect alchemy of actors that perform together in such a way allowing for space of each one of their talents and timing to display to perfection.

I loved this film so much I watched it once myself to take notes and again with my husband who has enjoyed a good dinnertime political debate the last four exhausting years. As for celebrity clout and their power to create action for social causes I don't believe their influence helped to amplify climate change, dare I say that credit should go to a guy many people under thirty don't know named Al Gore; who was the first "celebrity" who sounded the alarm on the need for awareness around climate change. Leonardo Dicaprio joined the cause in the early 2000's along with Academy Award winner filmmaker Michael Moore (Bowling for Columbine 2003) Grass roots efforts over the last decade around the nation and universally attracted a younger generation to get involved. It was mind blowing to watch the footage of continents and see cities with clear skies during the height of the pandemic. Seeing with our eyes truthfully what clean air look like and the possibilities in locales like India and California without the pollution that has covered our skies for centuries. I feel it is only until recently with the powerful voice of Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg do we have a "face" to this issue that threatens the longevity of this planet we do call home. We're in a generation where the younger voices have taken the lead to tackle such an enormous issue.

This meme provides the visual equation to all the ills of the world over the last few decades, collectively as a society we have to admit we've brought upon ourselves, through either inaction, passiveness and not being engaged politically when given the opportunity to while living and enjoying the benefits of a free democratic society. These men fulfill the things as consumers we feel we need, want, desire and lust for. These wealthy, powerful men own and control industries with our hard earned money and we "need" them everyday; surely they appreciate our support:

ZUCKERBERG: DUMB F&*%S!

(A true Zuckerberg quote)

ZUCK: i have over 4000 emails, pictures, addresses, sns FRIEND: what!? how’d you manage that one? ZUCK: people just submitted it ZUCK: i don’t know why ZUCK: they “trust me” ZUCK: dumb f*&%$S!