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Weeping for the Shrimp and the Zambians and the Macaques
by Donella Meadows
— January 7, 1999 —
By nature I’m an optimist; to me all glasses are half-full. Though I spend my days with news about the global environment — news that is rarely uplifting — I can usually spot a light at the end of the tunnel, a silver lining, a way out of trouble.
But every now and then I [...]
The Politicians, the Teacher and the People
By Donella Meadows
–December 24, 1998–
So strange, this orgy of political retribution, coming to a climax at Christmastime.
It’s the time when I go back and read not only the story of the birth of the great teacher, but also the teachings. The amazing teachings. Two thousand years old and they still ring like bells in the soul.
He taught in simple language [...]
The Ski Store and the Real Cost of Fun
By Donella Meadows
–December 17, 1998–
A 17-year-old friend convinced me to take her to a ski store on a Saturday afternoon right before the supposed start of the supposed ski season. I guess it’s been 20 years since I was last in a ski store.
This one was a happy place, full of torchy colors and young, energetic people. It was packed, [...]
Where Have all the Frogs and Toads Gone?
By Donella Meadows
–December 10, 1998–
“Dear Prof. Meadows, please tell us about the frogs.”
That was the complete message that bounced in to me from cyberspace. I stared at it and sighed. I don’t want to tell about the frogs. I don’t even want to think about the frogs. The story is so complex and uncertain and sad.
But, you know, there may [...]
The World’s Billionaires and the Game of Giving
By Donella Meadows
–December 3, 1998–
The combined wealth of the world’s three richest people is greater than the total income of the 48 poorest nations.The 84 richest people own assets worth more than the total annual production (GDP) of all 1.2 billion Chinese.
Together the world’s 225 billionaires are worth $1 trillion, equal to the annual incomes of just under half (2.7 [...]
