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James Meyer's avatar

Watching "Roots of the Sky" shift from a highly technical view of nature to this more holistic view has been fascinating. The shift is within you, right? Something has changed, has caused the change. I very much enjoyed this.

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Scott Dierks's avatar

Hey Jimmy! The answer is mixed. I always had it in my mind that I would get back to what the technical stuff means for how we live, but I hadn't envisioned it quite like this. I had been reading indigenous stories, but as I started reading the references from this post (which started months ago) it dawned on me, how similar the stories are. To me it was kind of mind-blowing - they literally say the same thing. So I am going to go further into indigenous ways of knowing and being + continue to try and connect it to western science. This path has reinforced for me that knowing and acting are always (or should be) connected. The goal was always the same - how can I connect the science to action. But originally I was thinking I would change others' understanding, but I realize now it's my understanding - and the actions I take because of it - that need to change.

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SPBH2O's avatar

Excellent read, thank you!

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Scott Dierks's avatar

Thanks very much and thanks for reading!

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John Bru's avatar

This is an excellent and thoughtful piece that tied together a few disparate threads of consideration I've been ruminating on with expert craftsmanship. A true pleasure to come across.

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Scott Dierks's avatar

Thanks so much John. I really appreciate that as it did take some time to craft (and I had some help!). More to come on this topic from me too.

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David Blake's avatar

Every time I read an article on "Roots of the Sky," I learn something about how ethics, communication, and plant science are all part of our cosmology. This article is no exception, though its interdisciplinary reach is especially stunning. I love how this quotation from Lee Cronin -- “Life is the universe making a memory” -- can lead to this conclusion from Scott Dierks: "the story of modernity does not have to be about unlimited growth and progress, but rather growth and progress that takes into account the rest of the living world’s needs at the same time as considering ours." Amen or, as the Cherokee would say, A'ho.

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Scott Dierks's avatar

Thanks Dave - I appreciate it. It was precisely the kind of language Lee Cronin was using, as a scientist, that I found really inspiring. I don't think they were looking for those words, it's like those words found them.

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