A young woman attended a “green” concert recently. The three-day extravaganza of music and ecology-oriented vendors drew thousands of college-age and older adults from across the country. Reminiscent of Woodstock and the Sixties, drugs were plentiful. Their use was viewed by many as essential to a peak concert experience.
It is interesting, but mostly sad, the level of hypocrisy in such an event. Protect mother earth, while you pollute your own body (which is also part of mother earth). Demand ecologically responsible government, while you arrogantly impose your will on your own life through illicit drugs. Bang the drums of energy efficiency as you embrace a lifestyle that will stunt the life sum of your own creativity.
“They were all such nice and friendly people,” she said. “They’d give you the shirt off their own back,” she added, for emphasis. I don’t doubt that they were “nice people.” The world is full of “nice people.” But just because you’re “nice” doesn’t mean the path you are on is healthy or responsible.
Everywhere you go on earth, ocean waves roll onto the shore. They roll onto shore when the tide is coming in and they roll onto the shore when the tide is going out. The waves may look the same, but the currents beneath them tell a different story. Some will keep you close to land and some will drag you out to sea. The same is true of social movements.