mardi 10 janvier 2012

January 2012 message from kate (back at school in Odisha)

dear friends
 
It is my intention for this to be my last blog communication:
For some time i have been troubled by the growing dependence on information technology for communication.  My awareness of the heavy costs of this technology in terms of human relations, natural environment and the life of the soul, has only become more acute over the past months.
In making use of internet cafes i am confronted with my act of tangible support to a market promoting and feeding off instincts of violence, greed and domination (control of others); the main business of these cafes being for video games.  Seeing that the prevalent  'development/progress' model is encouraging us to overlook the enormous costs to the earth (drilling/mining, energy consumption/pollution) and her peoples (exploitation for both drilling/mining & production/recycling) i feel it would hardly be better to have our own hardware.
 
At present government/industry here are actively promoting use of both mobile 'phones and tv, whilst use of computers remains very marginal - thus i feel that in succumbing to our growing dependence on this medium in the 'already over-developed' world i am placing myself firmly in the north-south divide and feeding the false idea that mankind's artifices can provide us with security and freedom.
 
In our activities here i have especially noticed how feeble are words when not supported by well-rooted life experiences...
 
So it is that i wish to reduce my use of information technology to the minimum necessary for honouring my commitments with Ekta Parishad, FWCC and NVC.
 
I am hoping for opportunities to share face to face on our return, and from May will be be happy to receive your letters at
Le Petit Moulin en Gueveneux,
56 220 Saint Jacut-les-Pins
France
 
With love
kate