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 Editorial:
Four Hopes.
 A mere 60 years ago, on this day, the second
world war ended in Europe, with over a hundred times as many deaths as
the recent tsunami disaster. The last century could be safely called
the Extreme Century, the most depressing about humanity's basic
instincts, but peculiarly one during which humanity's hopes of finally breaking free from these very
instincts were raised.
Of the
great hopes and expectations of the 20th century, I find most relevant
four,
all of which have to do with understanding, between people, partners,
families, classes, nations and groups of nations.
Hope 1: Information.
Starting from the most recent history, the Internet: Born in the late 20th century,
it allows backward parts of the globe to catch up and bridge the knowledge divide. It allows people to communicate and
interact with peers across the world, and learn first hand about their
worries, their inner thoughts, their troubles. It levels the playing field and allows
dwarfs to
compete, outsmart (and finally become) giants (e.g. the student pairs of
Yahoo and Google). It helps interpersonal
barriers come down. News from all parts of the globe is instantly and
independently diffused. Like Gutenberg's invention, and unlike the
violent revolutions of 1789 and 1917 and failed revolts such as 1968, the Internet is a global,
peaceful, successful revolution and an economic & social experiment, the results of which can not be
easily manipulated or distorted, although some will try. Free speech, free thinking no
matter how offensive, peculiar or repulsive, everything, everywhere
comes to the light, gradually making fear, ignorance and intolerance history.
Hope 2: Cooperation.
The United Nations:
sometimes dismissed as a talking shop (and all too readily undermined when it ceases to be just
that, and chronically under-funded so that it continues to be that),
although even talking is so much better than growling, or not talking.
Within it, all nations are equal,
and whereas some nations are "more equal than others" as in the famous farm, but
even that may be beneficial under current circumstances. Many more
global institutions, intergovernmental institutions, international
ngos, and even a new-breed of multinationals with some social
sensitivity, provide valuable fora for cooperation, admittedly with
various degrees of accountability and transparency.
Hope 3: Synthesis.
Globalisation, Cultural, Economic & Political Fusion. Endless
examples: From multicultural world-capitals, to the Chinese fusion of communism and capitalism,
to the
European welfare state, and earlier
on, the innovative New Deal policies across the Atlantic, the collapse
of hate-based fascist theories, the collapse of Apartheid, the
collapse of South American dictatorships, the collapse of post-war
European divisions and the growth of European union, it seems, or at
least it seemed at the
end of the 20th century, that the world was finally listening to the
world. Let's hope that the last four years will be just a temporary
setback for humanity.
Hope 4: Ecology.
Realising that the Environment also matters. Although not all
scientists agree on the specifics, it is evident to even the most
manic chain smoker, that we can not continue
ignoring our host, the planet or it will be a detriment to, first of
all, our health, our happiness, our safety, and the survival of all
other species that have bravely put up with us for so many years
despite our constant abuses.
ECOCLUB in
a way uses elements of all of the above: we operate through the
internet, we are an international effort, we use a hybrid, part open
access / paid model, and promote ecotourism, change in tourism towards
a more environmental and equitable model.
It remains
to be seen what the 21st century will do with these important four
hopefuls or tools. Bury them or use them? Nations really united, Internet
and its successors really bridging the world, all people living healthily and
happily, communism & capitalism merging into something new (commutualism?),
combining international and social equality with individual liberty?
Admittedly it sounds like another planet - and perhaps this may
ultimately prove to be the solution...in the same fashion that people
once left a divided and war-ravaged Europe for the new world. Let's
just hope there will not be indigenous inhabitants on that new
planet...
But still
on this planet, I hope to meet as many as you as possible at the
Ecolife 2005 Green fair, in Athens, in early June. More
details inside.
Antonis
B. Petropoulos
ECOCLUB Editor
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