Introduction
Daniel Quinn wrote Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit with its first edition in 1992. Its most recent publication is the twenty-fifth edition, released in 2017 by Bantam publishers. The work is a philosophical novel that poses questions and concepts to the readers concerning the environment. Quinn examines the two categories of people in his text: the takers and the leavers. Humans are perceived as takers who want to dominate and control the world; some are leavers who tend to follow the basic rules governing the populations on the planet. Ishmael is a gorilla who has spent much of his time in captivity. The author uses this character as a distancing mechanism as he puts his philosophical ideas in the mouth of the gorilla. Ishmael helps the narrator understand his cultural history through a series of meetings. The reading provides proper insight into the surroundings and the categories of humans living; captivity is emphasized, and its dire consequences are presented with possible remedies identified.
Personal Report
Impact of the Reading
Reading the novel has impacted my understanding of climate change and its causes. I believe the story narrated by Quinn is of nature and makes its case for eradicating humanity’s destruction of the planet. The arguments made by the gorilla have enabled me to understand that humankind should not be separated and categorized as superior to the rest of living organisms. A framework for building a sustainable society is offered based on the ideas presented in the conversations between Ishmael and the narrator. I came to understand that beings are the primary cause of environmental destruction. The exact population is further categorized within the world into two distinct groups, with one marginalizing the other. Those in total control of the societies belong to developed and modern countries. My understanding is that the myths about creation have played a more significant part in making man believe they were superior to the rest. I think the deeds of people cause all the environmental changes currently experienced.
My Thought
The reading made me think of how the world was before everything got complicated. I imagine life in the forest, practicing hunting and gathering without necessarily taking the inhabitants captive. I think of changing the mythology that seems to guide man’s actions. In finding a long-lasting solution to the problem, finding the leading cause is vital. The only possible resolution I believe can be a success is introducing a new belief that will eradicate the old misleading thought among future generations. Apart from this, adopting specific initiatives and guidelines can be implemented; it will help prevent the dominance from getting witnessed. A sustainable development plan can be developed that all humans must follow. Common ones that I see fit include starting campaigns against cutting trees and the need to adopt renewable energy sources. Having a clear vision helps us understand the need t care for our surroundings, as we are not the last to live within. I think it is time to find possible mediums to help communicate the risks of climate change.
Affluenza
I desire to be more successful and wealthy through accepted and positive means. I do not have affluenza as I believe in the need to care for society as it is where I stay and my children will live. Affluence reduces the likelihood of championing environmental concerns. On the contrary, it increases values such as environmental degradation and economic development growth. Affluence is killing the planet as the rich and wealthiest individuals contribute to the most pollution, even though they are few. The bottom earners, who are in billions, contribute to the minor emissions, but they are the majority. My desire to be successful is not driven by an insensible passion that is so ungovernable. I am not focused on financial success above everything else; I have my limitations and strive to make a positive influence. My great affection for nature can not allow me to make plans to destroy the environment. I have never had affluenza and am assured that I will never experience it.
Affluenza in the Family
In my family, nobody has affluenza; all members are delighted with what we get, and those driven by the need to be rich engage in businesses that do not pollute the surroundings. My parents are the main reason I am much more into nature. I began to get attached to wildlife due to the frequent visits my parents took me to the nearest parks. My siblings also share the same feeling, which is why we usually use community cleaning services to ensure our surroundings are better. My soulmate likes animals, especially the wild ones, which most tend to fear. We have always planned to visit Africa, witness the eye-catching sceneries, and see elephants. All of us are satisfied with our progress in life, and our success is not entirely focused on accumulating so much wealth. The relationship we all share has not had significant setbacks brought about by the presence of affluenza. We all understand the consequences of our actions; the focus is always on the need to make correct choices.
My View Toward Family and Myself
The book has entirely changed how I view myself and my family and our impact on the environment. Quinn’s work directs toward understanding the effect man has had on nature. Behavioral change is the only solution that can effectively work, and that is why climate change currently occupies a central part of public health communication. Looking at what my family and I do, we have significantly impacted change in the surroundings. We usually strive to make the world a better place to live in as we are the caretakers. Our particular liking for nature facilitates the good existence between us and the other life forms on the planet. Civilization is critical in contributing toward the flourishing of life; we already embrace it, but that is not enough. For our contributions to be efficient, we must sail in the same boat. Our thoughts and those of other beings must be the same. I believe this is the future where humans must coexist peacefully with other life forms on earth, just as my family does.
My lifestyle and Consumption Pattern
My view on my current lifestyle has been refreshed upon reading the book. With the primary sources of environmental degradation being identified as the people, this has made me reflect on my habits. The small deeds we tend to do every single time have potential repercussions if not handled effectively. As stated before, I take a great liking to the environment. I struggle to ensure even my action does not deter that. Sometimes mistakes occur, but I usually strive to make necessary amendments, such as recycling and reusing certain products. Ishmael, in the novel, suggests to the narrator that the only possible way to facilitate change in people’s actions is to start with their minds. With this, I believe maintaining a positive thought on limiting pollution helps achieve the goal. Consumption patterns are usually influenced by urbanization and social values. The book has enabled me to view the potential consequences the products I consume might have on the environment. Most of them, when getting developed, result in greenhouse gas emissions.
Drawing Parallels
The book’s information can draw parallels with my current lifestyle. Unlike the taker society, my living style can be compared to the leaver culture, which accepts life as it is without further contradictions. I have total respect for the globe and always ensure I do not contribute toward its pollution whenever possible. In the book, this can be seen among the leaver who follows the law of life. On the other hand, the takers are ignorant and fail to see how they are doomed to succumb. The book outlines man’s relationship with the environment and how the interactions have contributed to global issues. Quin narrates that personal beliefs and lifestyles must be altered to promote the survival of other living things apart from humans. From this angle, changing my lifestyle has an outstanding contribution toward sustainable development. The author further states that he blames the culture and not man. Concerning my living style, my consumption patterns are likely not to change as they are considered a way of life. I must eat, drink and dress even if the items contribute to environmental degradation.
Personal View of the Book
Quinn’s book is crucial in providing readers with distinct perspectives of the man about the environmental challenges faced around the world and how they contribute to them. He states that modern culture has been the resultant cause of the problems. In the past, humans and the environment coexisted peacefully, but changes started to occur as time progressed. Key ideas are identified in the novel, which play an essential part in determining what influences the state of our world due to lifestyles and individuals’ thoughts. The book portrays reality as what is indicated occurs. As stated, the wealthy are believed to be the prominent members contributing to pollution. It is accurate as they possess the large firms and companies that engage in the production of items—the novel further provides remedies to eradicate emissions which need to start with a tribal revolution. The book is critical in creating climate change awareness and provides solutions to limiting the re-occurrence.
Conclusion
The report I have written provides accurate feedback about the life my family and I embrace and the one identified in Quinn’s novel. Completing the work has enabled me to understand the contributions I have been personally making toward climate change. An analysis of my family’s doings also provides insight into the supplement they make toward environmental degradation. Through direct comparison and reflection of what the author states in the novel, I made sense of and concluded on its accuracy. No case of affluenza is in my family as we all appreciate the surroundings, unlike the takers driven by their affluence. My consumption pattern and lifestyle have limited negative influence on nature due to the steps I take. I highly recommend reading Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit by Daniel Quinn. The novel correctly analyses the evolution of cultures and the resultant consequence on the planet. Man is entirely responsible for the global issues experienced, and he is the only one that can stop the destruction.