Michelle, this was an interesting concept. At first, I thought it might have shades of EO Wilson's Consilience, but as I recall, that was more about unity of knowledge. (It's been a few years since I read it though.) It actually reminds me more of the permaculture principle of "stacking functions." I like it, and will get the book to find out more. Kind of in this vein, I think, I've been thinking a lot about how rebuilding ecosystems may sequester lots of carbon, while also reversing aridification, thereby helping human agriculture that's dependent on ancient rainfall patterns, thereby preventing starvation, war, etc. And also how that plays with Leopold's land ethic "A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise." -- in part because that preservation tends to also improve human health and society (as part of the biotic community). It seems so obvious, really, but we do get stuck in our silos.
I agree, all these ideas are in communication with each other … in a way they’re just different ways of describing and representing a kind of thinking that the dominant culture doesn’t prepare us to do.
Terrific insights. Adding Sawin’s book to my TBR pile!
Michelle, this was an interesting concept. At first, I thought it might have shades of EO Wilson's Consilience, but as I recall, that was more about unity of knowledge. (It's been a few years since I read it though.) It actually reminds me more of the permaculture principle of "stacking functions." I like it, and will get the book to find out more. Kind of in this vein, I think, I've been thinking a lot about how rebuilding ecosystems may sequester lots of carbon, while also reversing aridification, thereby helping human agriculture that's dependent on ancient rainfall patterns, thereby preventing starvation, war, etc. And also how that plays with Leopold's land ethic "A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise." -- in part because that preservation tends to also improve human health and society (as part of the biotic community). It seems so obvious, really, but we do get stuck in our silos.
I agree, all these ideas are in communication with each other … in a way they’re just different ways of describing and representing a kind of thinking that the dominant culture doesn’t prepare us to do.
Love this conversation between the two of you!