After reading Wendel Berry "Faustian Economics" I felt that I had just been slapped around by the author and pointed a finger at. The author's essay was a very direct, harsh critism of America's handling of greed in relation to global warming and America's incessable lust for everything bigger and better at any cost. The author pointed his finger at American's and gave them a good scolding for wanting more and more of everything and looking at things as limitless, but rather ways to use less and use what we have. The author uses a pact with the devil as his thread throughout his essay and uses the American's as the one who have made this pact. Berry believes that we will get what we asked for and we will not be able to correct the mistakes that we have made in regards to energry comsumption.
Berry uses the following data concerning our coal reserves: "The United States has 250 billion tons of recoverable coal reserves - enough to last 100 years even at double the current rate of consumption." to explain that it is good for only 100 years even though humans have been around for many thousands of years, he blames American greed for this. The author further uses data stating that in 1970's farmers leveraged secure acreage by buying more, it turned out not to be a good idea.
The author expresses his concerns for American's need for endless amounts of energy without limitations. Berry feels that his concerns will not be met with great euthansium and will upset people. Berry also states that "we have to give up our idea that we the right to be godlike animals, that we are potentially omniscient and omnipotent, ready to discover "the secret of the universe." We should view things as artists and of the arts that "in the art of living we can only start again with what remains". Berry understands the need to consider alternate energy sources, provided they make sense. The author wraps up with the this "Where there is not more, our one choice is to make the most and the best of what we have"' I believe that the author makes good points however really does set a strong tone in his voice.
I think the one of the biggest mistakes in U.S. history occurred during the 1970's during the oil crisis. leaders and scientists were pushing for America to find new ways to obtain energy since oil was so expensive and scarce. Of course, this never happened. Once again we find ourselves in a similar situation. If we had done what we said we were going to do in the 70's we wouldn't have the same problem today. I feel that this example demonstrates what Berry is criticizing in American society. We take our resources for granted and assume they are limitless.
ReplyDeleteMatthew, good point and I agree completely. After finding out that Berry was a farmer, it makes more sense that he would feel that way. Farmers tend to always make the most of what they have, they use all of their resources available, they are the experts.
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