marklynas.orgBook review by Will Self 02 June 04
Novelist and eternal pessimist Will Self always has something interesting to say… and his review of High Tide in this week’s New Statesman is no exception. “I’m cool with global warming,” he begins, outlining some of the more scary latest developments in climate science and politics. He seems to approve of the book too, calling it “lucid, clear and informative… even if there is rather more about the young Lynas than I for one wanted to know”. (Is this possible? Ed.) But ultimately the environmentalists have a near-impossible battle ahead, he concludes: “they have to inculcate a sense of collective responsibility and foresight in a mass population that is unwilling to do so”. No solution there, it seems. Self’s latest book, by the way, is called Dr Mukti and other tales of woe. “I’m not a pessimist” indeed…!
Comments
Peter Winters
June 3rd, 2004 at 11:43 AM
These kinds of review irritate me. I think they are written by people who have an idea – and then think of a literary way of expressing it. They end up with an article which scores well for style but very low on wisdom and humanity. Personally, I can do without it!
Why not be inspirational instead? Why not accept that we are facing a crisis, and think of ways that we could deal with it?
Most of us currently use technology which is harmful to the planet. Mark is right not to be “Holier than Thou” in talking about his own personal carbon contribution.
Let’s think of technologies that we can use that does not have this impact!
Will’s final comment is this “This is what the environmentalists are up against: they have to inculcate a sense of collective responsibility and foresight in a mass population that is unwilling to do so. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a pessimist, but I do recognise that unrealistic expectations of humanity lead, in the end, to contempt.”
I think the mistake here is to put too much onus on the individual to act “responsibly”. Rather we need to encourage business, governments, communities etc. to come up with green solutions that individuals can buy into. Develop an effective railway system using “green” electricity that we can use! (I think the Swiss railway system is an excellent example of this.) Develop a decent electric car – and then concerned individuals could make choices they feel happy with.