The environmental/ecological scene is unfathomably broad. To think that it can be reduced to concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is absurd. Not only are topics that the average person understands to be related to environmental issues included (the likes of soil science, geography, geology, and chemistry,) but so too other topics such as psychology, politics, history, and philosophy.
Under the broad descriptor of “environmentalist” or “ecologist”, one has the intellectual freedom to explore any and all of the seemingly disparate, nonetheless related, topics in as much breadth and depth as they see fit. What a marvellous opportunity!
But for some, this opportunity appears to be an overwhelming, looming threat. They see the vast breadth of topics included as too confusing to comprehend. With this, they opt to take the default mode pathway-of-the-majority. This is the safe and secure route. The alternative route is one of far less security, much more uncertainty, and is co-created by the individual who chooses it, and the life they subsequently lead.
The Cross-Roads
This is the cross-roads we are all faced with at some point in our lives. And that we continuously encounter across the entire span of our lives.
On the one hand, we have the default mode pathway. Most people opt for this route. It’s what makes it the pathway-of-the-majority. When one takes this route, one’s life is fairly predictable, and will look very similar to the lives of everyone else who has opted into this route.
On the other hand, we have the alternative path. This is the path least taken. It is unique to any and all of the rare few who take this route. It calls forth from the individual those innate capacities that require a different set of circumstances to be stimulated and developed. And it is in the development of those capacities that an individual realises the unique potential within.
One key difference between the two pathways is the following:
· The default mode pathway imposes on the individual a predictable set of circumstances that selects for fairly innocuous characteristics. This renders everyone who opts to take this route harmless and similar to one another.
· The alternative pathway imposes a much more random set of circumstances on the individual, which causes the development of idiosyncratic, innate capacities, rendering those who opt for this pathway one-of-a-kind.
Overview of Points Covered
1) The decisions we individuals make in our modern times are much more consequential, and far-reaching in their effects, than the decisions made by individuals who came before us. This is the most important point of this piece. Viscerally understanding this makes opting to take the alternative route a no-brainer. It makes the apparent “choice” a moot point.
2) The temptation to default back to the safe and secure pathway is ever-present. It’s not a case of this choice arising at a single, discrete moment in time in your life, and your decision being locked-in. The conviction to stay on the alternative path must be constantly renewed.
3) From within the boundaries of the pathway-of-the-majority there are certain narratives perpetuated that distort the reality of our ecological predicament. There are certain actors within these bounds who have a vested interest in the continuation of business-as-usual. These same actors happen to be the ones who financially benefit from business-as-usual, and so can allocate a certain amount of resources to constructing a narrative that downplays the harmful effects of the consequences their profitable actions externalise to the surrounding ecology.
4) There are exceptional people in this world who appear to have taken the pathway-of-the-majority, but are actually working diligently towards the cultivation of their unique capacities. As there are people in this world who appear to have taken the alternative route, but are equally as imprisoned by the incentive structure of the pathway-of-the-majority as everyone else.
If you only get to read up on and understand point 1), then so be it. You will have garnered most of the value in this piece. Points 2), 3), and 4) simply reinforce the validity of point 1).
1) Define Your Anti-Vision
Understanding this point makes choosing the uncertain, unique, idiosyncratic alternative route much easier. In fact, it reveals the illusion of choice for what it is: an illusion!
With a clearer, sharper understanding of our reality comes a conviction and energy that elevates you as a human, and forces you to become a human like no other. The question is,
Q: How can I reframe my understanding of this “choice” between the pathway-of-the-majority and the alternative route, such that my reflexive response is to take the alternative?
This is easy! And perhaps best described using an analogy from self-development space: Define your anti-vision.
Your anti-vision functions to push you from behind. Understand that the pathway-of-the-majority will probably not be fulfilling for you personally. This route will induce you into a state of sedation, torpor, and submission. It inhibits the development of those capacities you know you have within that will make you a formidable, unique individual.
You must become sufficiently scared of the type of person you will become should you continuously elect to go down the pathway-of-the-majority. You must realise that your innate potential will not become real-ised unless you opt to take the far less secure, far more uncertain, alternative road less travelled.
The whispering voice within that informs you as to your innate, unique capacities will never let up should you decide to take the default mode route.
This realisation makes suppressing the whispering voice within well-nigh impossible! Which, in turn, renders the “choice” of taking the alternative pathway no choice at all. It becomes a necessity, assuming you desire to maintain your integrity and sanity as a human being.
Now let’s fly through the final 3 points, as they simply serve to reenforce the validity of the alternative pathway. They help flesh out this idea of an anti-vision driving you away from the pathway-of-the-majority.
2) Plato’s Allegory of the Cave
From within the confines of the default mode pathway, certain narratives are perpetuated to artificially keep your mind at ease, and to ensure you that everything is OK (despite what that whispering voice within is constantly telling you!)
Most people choose to view the shadows on the wall as reality. There are certain actors within these confines who have a vested interest in your remaining rapt by the shadows, neglecting to turn around and work towards seeing reality for what it is. These actors have a vested interest in your continued (ideally, life-long!) self-deception.
The perpetuated narratives are mere shadows. Their function is to keep you submissive and obedient. They bear no relation to reality.
3) Staying With the Trouble
Sometimes, when the uncertainty and discomfort of the alternative pathway overwhelms us, the temptation of the default mode pathway becomes irresistible. This option to default back is ever-present. As is the option to opt in to the alternative route! Two sides of the same coin.
But if we can view the inevitable uncertainty and discomfort of the alternative route as a sign of progress, and stay with that trouble as opposed to bailing out, then we can increase our endurance and the likelihood of our personally contributing to the amelioration of our global ecological predicament.
4) Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover
Lastly, we have exceptional people in this world who appear to have taken the pathway-of-the-majority, but are actually as unique as they come. And vice versa, people who appear to have taken the alternative route, but are just as imprisoned by the incentive structure of the default mode as everyone else.
Conclusion
Have humility and be patient.
Be humble enough to know you don’t know it all. This way, you can avoid the trap of insisting upon the default mode of life. And be patient with yourself. The alternative route is a long road.
It takes time.
Don’t rush it.
“Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast” – Quote by some genius who said it at some point in history.