Perpetuation of a moral failure

For instance, though few Japanese are Christian, because Japan is hooked on the Gregorian calendar, Christmas is a main event, not only for consumers but for urban and commercial designers and decorators as well. But the symbols have no meaning. It is all for show – and for money. Though Toyota and Honda are turning out hybrid cars among their many lines these days, it doesn't make crossing Tokyo during midday any easier. The Japanese are very well-defended, well-dressed and well-insulated in their island culture, and as a consequence, they seem quite immune to criticism. As with all nationalities, their television programs only reinforce their national ego, while their cell phones keep them removed from themselves, so how can they – or any people so caught in the cybersphere – really change? Where will it end?

The Foundation recently asked for a report from members of PAN Svet on the situation in Russia, the country that turned the G-7 into the G-8. Here is what was written in response:

In Russia we are now witnessing what we call capitalization of the whole country. Unfortunately, almost nothing is left of the best achievements of socialism: healthcare, education and science are in a sad state considering low social level and under financing. For example, Russia’s healthcare is on the 97th place in the world. The lowest wages of workers in these areas lead to many scientists leaving the country and only true devotees left in science. More than half the country's research institutes are closed. In the state education and healthcare those who stay are of pensionable age, no young men willing to work there. Number of commercial healthcare and education organizations has grown, but these are only affordable to highly paid employees or state officers. And Universities welcome mostly children of well-off parents. Alas, number of suicides among young men has grown. Television is garbaged with crazy ads and films of terror, sex and violence.

Alas! Today Russia is considered by experts of global economy forum as one of most corrupted countries. A lot of mafia organizations appeared, and drug mafia increasingly comes to the country – structures that in Soviet times were all outside the “iron barrier”. In general the agony of 12:60 frequency fully manifests in Russia too, accompanied by planetary cataclysm, terrorist attacks and tragic events. Well, just recently our government took a decision to increase funding medicine and healthcare thanks to some economic growth. But we realize that while these decisions will pass through bureaucrats, real benefits will reach common people not soon.Everybody sees the handwriting on the wall, but nobody wants to give up what they have and actually change – their lifestyle, their mind, their perception of reality. The problem is that, whether in consumer driven Japan, or “catching up with the West” Russia, virtually everyone is now thoroughly trapped in the materialist end game. There appears to be no escape. Sustainable development is the catchword for wanting to change but not wanting to give up what you’ve got. posted by GnaeusVenetiaeSilvanus Sunday, January 01, 2006 @ 2:23 AM