Reading Ishmael by Daniel Quinn in 1997 first exposed me to the idea that civilization is an inherently unsustainable and unhealthy social structure. But it took further reading of works by Quinn and Derrick Jensen, along with greater experience, to help me increasingly incorporate this understanding into my life. Most recently, Jensen's work Endgame impacted me with a particularly convincing presentation of civilization's shortcomings from the concrete and powerful perspective of physical resource dynamics.

In this post, I examine the paramount importance of internalizing the implications of our social structure's fundamental flaws, the experience of facing the impact of this understanding, why it is to difficult to fully internalize, the variety of ways that people respond to the issue, and how my growing acceptance of it has influenced my life journey. I then discuss the process of finding our optimal roles in the re-emergence of health and sustainability and the invaluable role of community and support as we do so.

Conclusion (Part 8 of 8)

Note: This is Part 8 of an eight-part series. You may want to start at Part 1 of the series, Summary and Table of Contents.

There are tremendous challenges in our world today. Michael Moore’s films have been some of the most powerful channels through which many of […]

A Formula for Fundamental, Sustainable Political and Social Change in America (Part 7 of 8)

Note: This is Part 7 of an eight-part series. You may want to start at Part 1 of the series, Summary and Table of Contents.

 

The Inseparable Roles of Moral Courage and Campaign, Election and Media Reforms

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Campaign, Election and Media Reform as Central Themes in Michael Moore’s Work (Part 6 of 8)

Note: This is Part 6 of an eight-part series. You may want to start at Part 1 of the series, Summary and Table of Contents.

While none of Michael Moore’s films focus primarily on campaign, election and […]

Campaign, Election and Media Reform: Levers and Leverage Points for Improving Our Society (Part 5 of 8)

Note: This is Part 5 of an eight-part series. You may want to start at Part 1 of the series, Summary and Table of Contents.

 

Moral Courage Alone Isn’t Enough

Clearly, moral courage, as discussed […]

Moral Courage as a Central Theme in Michael Moore’s Work and Life (Part 4 of 8)

Note: This is Part 4 of an eight-part series. You may want to start at Part 1 of the series, Summary and Table of Contents.

I believe, and seeing Sicko again reinforced, that Michael Moore is one […]

Moral Courage: A Required Virtue for Improving Our Society (Part 3 of 8)

Note: This is Part 3 of an eight-part series. You may want to start at Part 1 of the series, Summary and Table of Contents.

 

Psychological Dissonance: The Cost of Keeping Quiet

In our society, we have a great […]

Introduction (Part 2 of 8)

Note: This is Part 2 of an eight-part series. You may want to start at Part 1 of the series, Summary and Table of Contents.

 

Sicko and Beyond: New Inspiration from Michael Moore

Two weeks ago, I finally saw Michael Moore’s new movie about the health care […]

In his previous films, Michael Moore opened minds regarding injustices in deeply emotional areas including corporate responsibility, gun violence, 9/11 and the Iraq War. In Sicko, and his related appearances, he has pursued change in the American health care system. But Moore's work and life embody two underappreciated themes even more central to social change in America – moral courage and campaign, election and media reform. In this eight-part series of posts, I explore the importance of these intertwined themes and their relation to Michael Moore. I then propose a formula for focusing influential individuals and organizations on these core leverage points to stimulate fundamental, sustainable sociopolitical reform in America.