We have been living days of warnings - in all senses
- about the food we eat, the air we breathe, the water we drink, the lifestyles we lead, the choices we make, the gadgets we use, the things we buy, the money we spend, the people we love, the friends we make, the sex we get...And those warnings area scary - in all areas we are always running incredibly dangerous risks, no matter how well-intentioned and well-informed we may be. Some preventive measures do help, but are not a true guarantee. In sum - we live a moment of fear, of agony, of tension, of gloomy perspectives about the future of humanity, of the human project on Earth. Apocalyptical thoughts and ideas are present not only in fiction, but as sound prognostics of scientific studies run by internationally acclaimed experts. One of the aspects that may be at the core of all that is the prolonged crisis that capitalism has been facing for decades now. We get the impression that recoveries happen timidly and for a short little while, followed by the new pattern of increasing critical state. Some theoreticians state that the logic of the system is suicidal - and they have a sound argument when they say that our society depends on natural resources to keep growing economically, but the resources are not limitless, and they are reaching their limit at a very fast rate. This would require a radical change on our way of building life, society, relations, abandoning once and for all the golden rule of constant increasing profit as the ultimate goal and the measure of success. No growth means death. But does it have to be that way? Aren't there other alternatives with a maximum profit that guarantees balance with nature and man's needs? Many studies have been made in this perspective, and some of them are already being put in practice, marginally, no doubt, but trying to show that there sure is another way. Permaculture, Sustainable Capitalism, Natural Capitalism and so many other movements have been gathering many followers and experience. But we have to admit that it is not so easy to break away from beliefs, ways, values and concepts so much incorporated by us all, impregnated in our culture as the sound foundation of our sacred paradigms. Then, resistance, rejection, non- acceptance, and criticism are the barriers everyone has to face in order to open up at least to the slightest idea of change. And every real change comes from a change of perspectives, of vision, of perception, of understanding. And nothing better to help in the process than to flexibilize our cemented mental structures, shaking them, confronting them with seed of transformation and mobility, through totally different perspectives never ever before imagined, as if you could see through the eyes of an extra- terrestrial being that suddenly landed on Earth today. Well, believe me - this has been made - fictionally - in a fantastic French movie, LA BELLE VERTE ("The Beautiful Green"). This incredibly original film has the power to put us in the eyes of an alien having to live our daily lives. It is amazing how "normal" habits and values become so ridiculous, illogic, dangerous and sad. It is a MUST! Everyone really concerned about opening eyes to a new perspective will find this movie a tremendous help. Leave your comments!!! Renato