Swordfish ë, Part 1: How Modest Mentors Fish for Agents of Conscience, Surrounded by Tilapia

 

Sunrise in Vermont

We had the pleasure of connecting with Agabas Ayudor a few months ago, all thanks to a wonderful activist from the UK who reached out to me. It's funny how these connections form—perhaps Adam Minter wrote about me, or maybe it was the influence of this blog. This blog, while long-winded and dense, serves as a public record that orbits a solar system not centered around privileged individuals obsessed with egos and real estate values. Instead, it focuses on the best and brightest minds emerging from the Tech Sector in rapidly developing "LDC" Emerging Markets.

Within this vast landscape, there exists a rare breed—the 1 in 1,000 who discerns the manipulation of collective guilt management by entities like the Anti Gray Market Alliance/Planned Obsolescence, Big Shred, and the Charitable Industrial Complex. I'd even throw in a few foreign governments seeking to corral non-OECD markets using Basel Convention rules (we might need a catchy nickname for that). These discerning individuals, the "Swordfish," possess the brilliance or transboundary knowledge to comprehend the intricate topics discussed in this blog.

What sets the Swordfish apart is their potential to shape the future positively. Writing for an audience that values conscience over sheer numbers allows for a more profound impact on the environmental solar system. Sometimes, it's tempting to focus on gaining thousands of followers, but the real influence lies in resonating with agents of conscience.

Forgotten Cameroonian Mentor, 1985.  

I just remember being inspired to make a career with someone excceptional like him.

Reflecting on my teenage years, I recall embracing the religious concept of living a life that would matter 500 years from now. It meant more than just consuming/wasting fewer natural resources; it meant leaving behind something of value. Unable to compose classical music or sculpt Renaissance marble, I sought guidance from older individuals dedicated to recycling and sustainable energy.

My mentors, like Bruce at the Fayetteville Arkansas private Recycling Center and the leaders of PASE (Peoples Action for Safe Energy), played a pivotal role. PASE, with its roots in the 1970s environmental movement, focused on opposing nuclear power plant investments. My journey led me to Lester Brown's "State of the World" publications, and I realized the connection between nuclear power and virgin ore aluminum smelting.

Navigating through complex discussions with my mentors, I discovered a Copernican view of simplicity in focusing on the well-being of 500-year-youngs rather than my immediate social network. This perspective, challenging as it was, shaped my commitment to caring about the future.

Caring, however, is necessary but not sufficient. In later years, I delved into understanding why those who care deeply sometimes cause collateral damage unknowingly. Calling out influential figures like Jim Puckett of Basel Action Network for their misinformation became a necessary step, despite the defensive reactions from older mentors who resisted criticism.

The journey involved questioning popular figures within the environmental movement, akin to calling out a priest for misconduct. Yet, I realized that the 500-year-youngs wouldn't care about popularity contests; they would question their ancestors actions and their environmental impact.

As the blog evolved, so did my understanding of mentorship. My first mentors weren't necessarily sharpshooters; they were individuals who cared—a quality essential for the 500-year-youngs at the center of my life. However, caring alone isn't enough; mentors must remain open to evolving perspectives. PASE meetings obsessed over anti-nuke protests and t-shirt sale income... And I got tired of explaining that recycling an aluminum can saves 90% of the (nuclear) energy to make it... and that led me to a career in recycling. The younger people I meet now, through the blog or through blog readers who suggest they contact me, are essential to the environmental movement.

Acknowledging the tendency for gurus and mentors to become narcissists, I learned valuable lessons from diverse mentors like Johnny Gold of North Shore Fibers in Salem MA. Different as they were from the Arkansas hippies, they shared a commitment to sustainability. Sponsoring Johnny Gold on a MassRecycle podcast became a way of honoring a mentor with a unique perspective.

The blog's journey intertwined with influences from Jane Goodall, Jacques Cousteau, and National Geographic, shaping my early environmental consciousness. Over the years, the blog's impact became evident as messages from younger individuals, seeking guidance and sharing their journeys, poured in.

While readership might decline, there are reasons to continue writing. Old chestnut blogs remain relevant, and younger individuals discovering them reach out, reminiscent of my own pursuit of knowledge from older mentors. The fear of being wrong or overlooking the insights of a 16-year-old Copernicus keeps me humble and receptive to evolving perspectives.

A recent message from a younger individual involved in village waste management reminded me of the interconnectedness of environmental networks. The dedication of individuals like Swordfish ë, Agabas, and Bryan reflects the potential for positive change. Mentoring, like fishing for swordfish, involves striking matches to light the right fire.

(Redacted)

Reflecting on the past, I'm reminded of PASE and its focus on shutting down nuclear power plants. It brings to mind a different PACE—Partnership for Action on Challenges relating to E-waste. The experiences of engaging with the Tech Sector and challenging conventional norms led to valuable insights, even if initially dismissed as clickbait.

The blog's origin often lies in responding to questions and realizing the broader interest in the shared knowledge. A recent message from Swordfish ë prompted thoughts on the geological aspects of recycling, emphasizing that it's about more than landfills or incinerators—it's about mining and nuclear power plants.

In the words of Mark Twain, "I didn't have time to write you a short letter, so I wrote you a long one instead." The journey of this blog mirrors the complexity of environmental issues, with each post contributing to a collective understanding. Congratulations to Swordfish ë on their endeavors, and as the Lunar New Year approaches, may the interconnected web of environmental advocates continue to grow.

Here's the private message that I wanted to share more publicly, which morphed into this blog. I run a recycling company for a "living", but what I enjoy about living is being asked for advice by younger people who "get it".

Robin Ingenthron sent the following messages at 8:29 AM
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Robin Ingenthron 8:29 AM

Congratulations, Swordfish ë! And just in time early wishing of Happy Lunar New Year. I won't pretent to follow the acronyms of EU waste centric funding... but "waste" is a much newer concept than "geo" In high school in the 1970s the new "environmentalist" movement (Lester Brown, Jacques Cousteau, Jane Goodall, Rachel Carlson, etc) seemed to be toying with leveraging or mixing collective guilt with adoration/amazement. I am hoping there is a correct recipe (which probably would then have to be tweaked for social/culturally varying audiences) for combining *nuture instincts with *fear instincts and *greed instincts to in a combination which *cares enough about the future earth to *invest in consumption strategies that are profitable (paying schoolteachers is based on taxes) and sustainable. That's a long, long, boring lead in to geologics, which is the Copernicus view of Ptolemy's "waste" https://www.usgs.gov/search?keywords=pollution Not sure what the EU or UN equivalent is of US Geologic Survey, but there are a lot of quite lovely scientists, not at all prone to Puckett-Trumpish gas bagging, who write brilliantly about extraction and pollution from extraction without earning any press attention. I really appreciate the couple of dozen people like you who are paying the right amount of attention, and am grateful that I don't seem to bore you. Shows promise of progress. Adam Minter told me yesterday he's burned out on the "Apocalypse Watch". And thanks again for introducing me to Agabas, Bryan T sent a message he connected with you, hope it returned the favor 

Perhaps continued.... Part 2?