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Re: Bolivian Farmers Demand Researchers Drop Patent on And
Steve Diver wrote:
>
> While I respect the instrumental work of Colorado
> researchers to adapt quinoa to North American farms, I agree with the
> Bolivian farmers and RAFI on the topic of biopiracy.
>
> Biopiracy is a product of Western Science and Technology. More
> importantly, it is rooted in Western Mind, whose paradigm is
> individualism and extraction of natural resources with the aim of
> short-term economic gain at the expense of the common good.
> In contrast, Tribal Mind is based on community ethics and
> long-term environmental awareness.
>
> I became aware of these two paradigms on a recent trip to
> India, after visiting tribal villages that were (as are many Native
> Americans, African Americans, and indigenous peoples around
> the world) culturally displaced by dominant European colonialism.
>
> For a revealing insight, read Winin Pereria's book, whose titles
> says it all...."Global Parasites: 500 Years of Western Culture",
> available from The Other India Press.
>
> Western Mind, it should be noted, is not just about white people
> from the North. It is a frame of mind that results in actions that
> threaten the planet and its peoples.
>
> Sadly, corrupt governments and industrialists of the resource-rich
> two-thirds world have happily adopted Western Mind think, and
> are reaping their individual rewards while fellow citizens, wildlife,
> and plant-based ecosystems are suffering in misery.
>
> Globalization, which many are realizing is so destructive, is a logical end
> product of Western Mind.
>
> I am hopeful, however, in the many alternative models that are
> emerging from the visionary movements such as spiritual ecology,
> permaculture, and sustainable agriculture in general.
>
> Some of the paradigm shifters that come to mind include the
> partnership model that Riane Eisler talks about in "The Chalice
> and The Blade", and from a macro socio-economic perspective, the
> Progressive Utilization Theory, or PROUT, propounded by the Indian
> scholar and philosopher, P.R. Sarkar.
>
> Steve Diver
>
> --
> steved@ncatark.uark.edu
All human cultures through the ages have utilized nature for their own
special needs and have had detrimental impacts. There were however
simply not enough people to produce significant irreversible
destruction. They simply moved on to the next inviting location and the
original had a chance to recover. Native Americans, eastern Indians,
Inuit, Africans, Asians, Mesopotamians, etc all contributed to the
degradation of the natural environment. What you term "western mind" has
no monopoly on raping nature nor advancing technology. All early
cultures were in fact "close to the natural systems". We would be too if
we didn't have a substantial roof over our heads and electricity. I
think we can be much more productive looking for solutions rather than
casting disparaging remarks about cultures and what they produced or who
is to blame. We are all responsible. Tribal-Schmibal.
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