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ISSN 1108-8931 |
Year 6 - Issue 73 |
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Sponsored by: Zante Feast Discovery Holidays, Hana Maui Botanical Gardens, Jorth Consult Limited, Pacuare Lodge, Ecolife 2005 Fair |
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Disclaimer: Any views expressed in this newspaper belong to their respective authors and are not necessarily those of ECOCLUB S.A. Although we try to check all facts, we accept no liability for inaccuracies - which means you should not take any travel or other decisions based only on what you read here... Use of this newspaper is covered by the Terms & Conditions of the ECOCLUB.com Website and by your uncommon sense and good humour. Copyright © 1999-2005 ECOCLUB S.A. All rights reserved. |
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Copyright © 1999-2005 ECOCLUB S.A. All Rights Reserved. |
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ISSUE
HIGHLIGHTS
Editorial: Disasters,
made by humans, unmade by Humans
Throughout
August, disasters made world headlines, from overworked and
under-maintained planes that kept falling every week, to the Katrina
devastation in Louisiana and Mississippi. What is common between all
these disasters, apart from the immeasurable pain, is that they caught
the responsible parties by "surprise". A
"surprise" for those who believe that cost-cutting is the
quickest way to efficiency, that planning and monitoring are things of
the past, in the era of high-tech, rapid change and the invisible hand
of the market, that privatisation of public utilities and national
airlines, takeovers and the like will miraculously lead to higher
safety and quality for all, that there is no need for real leadership
in the era of spin and PR. Preoccupation with bottom lines is so
great, that even before the total number of victims is known,
toothless journalists/courtesans compete who will be the first to estimate
the economic cost involved. As for the human cost, it is heaped on the inevitable scapegoat, who
then resigns and occasionally goes to jail, presumably to teach
others. Imagine another possible disaster, that would probably again
"surprise": an avian flu pandemic. No, rock star / remote
control / philanthropy would not be the answer. Ironically, at
this time of globalised over-information, we suffer from both
ignorance and lack of globalised thinking. We also lack leaders who
really (care to) understand. (Only the other day, one said he would
rather be in Tahiti...than "sacrifice" himself) But not all
is bleak, as there are always exceptions, not to justify the rules,
but to change them: please read our
Interview with Bodhi Garrett, who masterfully steers the North Andaman
Tsunami Relief (NATR) in Thailand.
