On hope


The evolution and survival of a species depend on its ability to weather challenges and dangers. As humans, we have been given the unique gift of consciousness. With it come many abstract emotions and ideas. Some aid in survival, others don’t. The capacity for hope is unique to humans.

What exactly is hope?

Charles Richard “Rick” Snyder (1944-2006) — an academic who spent a lifetime on the study of hope — established the Hope Theory. His work on the subject is seminal. Snyder states that there are three main elements that constitute hopeful thinking:

  • Goals – Handling life in a goal-oriented fashion.
  • Pathways – Finding or delineating routes to reach your goals.
  • Agency – Summoning up the physical and emotional strengths to  initiate events and work towards these goals.

What cannot be measured, cannot be improved.

Being the scientist that he was, Snyder devised three scoring systems for objective measurement of a nebulous entity like hope.

1. The Adult Dispositional Hope Scale (ADHS). It is a self-reported questionnaire of 12 items. Total scores range from a minimum of 8 to a maximum of 64 with high scores reflecting high levels of hope
2. The Adult State Hope Scale (ASHS). One drawback to the ADHS is that it assesses hope solely as a baseline trait. It only measures an individual’s general level of hope. Hope levels may vary based on specific circumstances. (ASHS) assesses goal-directed thinking in any given moment or situation.
3. The Adult Domain Specific Hope Scale measures an individual’s level of hope in six specific areas: social, academic, family, romance/relationships, work/occupation and leisure activities.

The scales make it possible to compare assessments across different groups and times.


Hope is the best predictor of success, better than optimism

A growing corpus of scientific research has shown that hope enhances academic success.

  • A study conducted by a group of British academics found that hope is not just linked to academic achievement, but it is a better predictor of success than IQ tests, personality, or past academic performance.
  • Researchers at Santa Clara University discovered in 2014 that hope was the most constant predictor of GPA, edging out optimism.

When you lack hope, you are more prone to set “mastery objectives,” which are straightforward, doable activities that are not difficult and do not contribute to your growth. Pursuing mastery targets signifies a loss of control over one’s circumstances, making it simpler to give up.


Realistic optimism

There is a middle ground between starry-eyed optimism and relentless dark thinking. It’s called “realistic optimism“. Realistic optimists believe they will succeed, but emphasize that they have to make success happen through their own efforts.


Surfacing from the depths of hopelessness, into creativity

(By Francesco Jodice – ticket:2013022110009441, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=24823403)

The Japanese word hikikomori translates to “pulling inward.” It was coined in 1998 by Japanese psychiatrist Tamaki Saitō to describe a burgeoning social phenomenon among young people who, feeling the extreme pressures to succeed in their school, work, and social lives, decided to withdraw from society for at least six months.

In recent years, there has been a subtle change in how people understand the phenomena, manifested through increased awareness of the complexity of the experience. It can be understood as a radical act of introversion and self-discovery.

Kazumi Leiri, a recovering recluse, suggests that there is no need to hurry to retie social bonds, rather to “tie small knots, little by little.” Creative expression could be a powerful way to both share experiences of isolation and to reconnect with others within and beyond the state.


{P}rescriptions for a sustainable future – Rx 3 – 2023


▶️ Born again. Mine shafts repurposed for energy

Mines get abandoned when they cease to be viable. They languish, often as ugly scars on the landscape.

Gravity is the only force that will surely exist until the end of the cosmos.

An organisation with the impressive name of The International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) has proposed using a technique called Underground Gravity Energy Storage (UGES) for making abandoned mines work again to produce energy.

Stay with me while I walk you through the process.

You drop sand down the mine shaft in some sort of container anchored, I presume, by cables to axles on the surface. Much like in old wells, the axles spin as the container drops into the abyss. Connect it to a generator, and, hey, you get electricity.

Like “pumped hydroelectric” technology, they propose storing the sand in the depths of the pits and, when power is cheap, hauling it back up to the surface for the next drop.

⛔ Hold it right there

This is where the project sounds squirrelly to me. It looks like you can’t just leave the sand down in the hole and keep throwing in more. The sand at the bottom of the mine shaft is stored and acts as “the battery” for later use. Wait a minute! I always thought there was something called the Laws of Thermodynamics which are as unbreakable as gravity. The net gain in energy can’t be very good, IMO.

These guys are a serious organisation. Their website is loaded with projects and ideas.

(If you really want an education about this, I would suggest reading the comments in this post from ZeroHedge.)

Onwards!


➡️ Abracadabra! Protein from air … and microbes

Protein from the air? It sounds too good to be true!

“Lab meat” is the buzzword of all efforts at “having your cake and eating it too.” It seems that there is far too much energy and a lack of humane spirit in consuming animal meat as a protein source.

Singapore regulators have authorised a product called “Solein.” It’s a microbe powder that could well spark a dietary revolution in the chase for meat replacements.

Solein includes protein, dietary fibre, fat, and minerals, as well as iron, vitamins, and other micronutrients. It is intended to serve as a base for meat substitutes, milk, soy, or lentils. It is the world’s most sustainable protein, composed of air, bacteria, and solar energy.

Cheers! The inventors of this powder state that it is a fermentation process, just like making wine or beer. I’ll drink to that! The inventors claim:

  • The method is 20 times more efficient than photosynthesis, which plants use to turn energy into food.
  • It uses only a tiny amount of water as compared to meat from livestock.

Solein, which is slated to be introduced by Solar Foods in plant-based meat, bread, pasta, and other food items, will give a wide range of advantages but will not alter the taste of the meal in any way.

The first Solein facility is under construction in Vantaa, Finland, with commercial production set to begin next year.

📄 ▶️ Read more here.


🔑 #climatechange #energy #mines #repurposing #protein #labmeat #creativity #strategy #sustainability #renewability


In the infinity of the cosmos, our Earth might well be the only place where Life exists. Yet, we have devastated this miracle and are now poised at the edge of a frightening abyss of desolation. Every one of us needs to act, and act fast. The key word to continuing to enjoy the bounty of Life is “sustainability.” The Earth, as Mahatma Gandhi remarked, can satisfy all our needs but very little of our greed. This is an ongoing series of articles focusing on the issues of renewability and sustainability.


(Graphics and images – Vecteezy.com Pro Licence)

{P}rescriptions for a sustainable future – Rx 2 – 2023

CONTENTS
About this series (click to read)

➡️ Banning straws might be good for the planet – but bad for people with disability or swallowing problems. What is ‘eco-ableism’?
➡️We don’t need ‘miracle’ technologies to fix the climate. We have the tools now.”
➡️ “How green roofs can help cities” (YouTube video)
(Click on the title to go to the article. As you scroll down, an arrow will appear on the right, bottom corner. Click on it to return to the top.)


“Banning straws might be good for the planet – but bad for people with disability or swallowing problems. What is ‘eco-ableism’?”
Kate Anderson | The Conversation

𝕋𝔸𝕂𝔼 𝔸𝕎𝔸𝕐𝕊

Many states ban single-use plastics, including straws. While this is a win for the environment, it comes at a price for social inclusion, as many people with disability rely on plastic straws to safely enjoy drinks.
Sustainable alternatives are available, but these are often unsafe or unusable for consumers with complex medical needs. This is an example of eco-ableism, which occurs when environmental policy, design, or campaigns discriminate against people with disability.
An inclusive approach to sustainability is the best way to protect fundamental human rights and the environment, and research shows it is also good for business.

▶️📄 Read the article

🔑 #disability #straws #change #creativity #wellness #P4life #sustainability


“We don’t need ‘miracle’ technologies to fix the climate. We have the tools now.”
Mark Z Jacobson | The Guardian

𝕋𝔸𝕂𝔼 𝔸𝕎𝔸𝕐𝕊

✅ We don’t need “miracle” technology to address the climate. We already have access to the resources that will enable us to do so, such as wind, water, and solar (WWS) energy, storage for electricity, heat storage, cold storage, hydrogen storage, and energy-efficient electrical products.
✅ With a $62 trillion initial capital investment, a 2050 WWS system would pay for itself in less than six years thanks to the $11 trillion in annual energy cost reductions.
✅ In addition, around forty percent of the carbon dioxide that is caught today is utilised to facilitate the extraction of further oil from the earth. This results in the release of approximately seventy-three percent of all of the carbon dioxide that is currently being captured.
✅ The climate catastrophe may be mitigated if enough people buy into the idea of change and government leaders are committed to action.

▶️📄 Read the article

🔑 #ClimateChange #technology #skills #strategy #wellness #sustainability


“How green roofs can help cities”
NPR | via YouTube

𝕋𝔸𝕂𝔼 𝔸𝕎𝔸𝕐𝕊

Urbanisation leads to loss of green cover. Here’s an innovative approach to countering this loss.

🔑 #ClimateChange #urbanisation #roof #garden #greening #change #creativity #inspiration #strategy #sustainability 


In the infinity of the cosmos, our Earth might well be the only place where Life exists. Yet, we have devastated this miracle and are now poised at the edge of a frightening abyss of desolation. Every one of us needs to act, and act fast. The key word to continuing to enjoy the bounty of Life is “sustainability.” The Earth, as Mahatma Gandhi remarked, can satisfy all our needs but very little of our greed. This is an ongoing series of articles focusing on the issues of renewability and sustainability.


(Graphics and images – Vecteezy.com Pro Licence)

{P}rescriptions for a sustainable future – Rx 1 – 2023

CONTENTS
About this series (click to read)

➡️ “The limits of renewable energy and the case for degrowth”
➡️ “Forget Tesla and electric cars. E-bikes are the future of transportation.”
(Click on the title to go to the article. As you scroll down, an arrow will appear on the right, bottom corner. Click on it to return to the top.)


“𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡”
Philip Gauthier | Resilience.org

𝕋𝔸𝕂𝔼 𝔸𝕎𝔸𝕐𝕊

The move to a cleaner energy source is sometimes portrayed as rapid and simple.
✅ In reality, the combined proportion of solar photovoltaic, solar thermal, wind, tidal, and geothermal energy is still relatively modest.
✅ The energy transition has been hampered by five main factors: resources, intermittency, non-substitutability, money, and space. These challenges highlight the limitations of established wisdom and the impossibility of unending growth.
✅ Successful energy transition requires a shift in consumer preferences and lifestyles. Though degrowth presents additional challenges, it offers the best chance of achieving our goals without triggering a global climate crisis or worsening social inequalities.

▶️📄 Read the article

🔑 #growth #capitalism #consumerism #lifestyles #change #criticalthinking #strategy #sustainability


“𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐥𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐬. 𝐄-𝐛𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.”
Tony Ho Tran | Daily Beast

𝕋𝔸𝕂𝔼 𝔸𝕎𝔸𝕐𝕊

✅ E-bike advocates are hugely hopeful for the future of e-bikes as a viable alternative to cars.
✅ However, there are still obstacles to overcome, such as the car-centric infrastructure of many cities.
✅ Despite challenges, e-bikes are becoming increasingly popular and are seen as a viable option for reducing car usage and emissions. With the right incentives and infrastructure, e-bikes could revolutionize the way we get around.

▶️📄 Read the article

🔑 #e-bike #transportation #change #strategy #wellness #sustainability


In the infinity of the cosmos, our Earth might well be the only place where Life exists. Yet, we have devastated this miracle and are now poised at the edge of a frightening abyss of desolation. Every one of us needs to act, and act fast. The key word to continuing to enjoy the bounty of Life is “sustainability.” The Earth, as Mahatma Gandhi remarked, can satisfy all our needs but very little of our greed. This is an ongoing series of articles focusing on the issues of renewability and sustainability.


(Graphics and images – Vecteezy.com Pro Licence)

Agreeing to not disagree – making all voices heard by consensus


“ℂ𝕠𝕟𝕤𝕖𝕟𝕤𝕦𝕤 𝕕𝕖𝕔𝕚𝕤𝕚𝕠𝕟-𝕞𝕒𝕜𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕚𝕤 𝕤𝕦𝕣𝕡𝕣𝕚𝕤𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕝𝕪 𝕖𝕗𝕗𝕖𝕔𝕥𝕚𝕧𝕖 𝕚𝕟 𝕓𝕠𝕥𝕙 𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕞𝕦𝕟𝕚𝕥𝕚𝕖𝕤 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕨𝕠𝕣𝕜𝕡𝕝𝕒𝕔𝕖𝕤” || 🆃🅸🅻 Voting may seem the quickest route to a resolution, but it isn’t the best way to enrol everyone. Voting can silence dissenting voices and thwart creativity. Consensus decision-making leads to broader engagement. No proposal is adopted until every concern is heard, understood and addressed. … increases how much you care for them and view them as people. A specific model: first, create a core values statement, and measure all practices and procedures against it. Next, develop a “This is how we do it” document.

📄▶️ Read the article


🔑 decision, consensus, voting, community

Good “dumb questions” can flush out valuable information


“𝕊𝕥𝕠𝕡 𝕥𝕣𝕪𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕥𝕠 𝕒𝕤𝕜 “𝕤𝕞𝕒𝕣𝕥 𝕢𝕦𝕖𝕤𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕤” || 🆃🅸🅻 A Smart Question is a query designed to advertise the wisdom of the asker. … how counterproductive feigning intelligence [is] during the process of trying to collect [information]. Big Dumb Questions (BDQs) … Really revelatory and surprising answers can come from extremely basic questions.

📄▶️ Read the article


🔑 question