TED Community » Craig Patterson

More About Me

I'm passionate about

Sustainable Forestry
Renewable energy
Affordable housing
Leaving future generations a future worth having

Talk to me about

Sustainable Forestry - from the ground up
Renewable energy that isn't green-washing.
Energy conservation and building design
Holistic and inclusive analysis

People don't know that I'm good at

River guiding and
Furniture and house design.

Comments

• TEDCred score: +10.90 TEDCred reflects your contribution to the TED community.

• A comment on Conversation: Is evolution/religion/everything a self fulfilling prophecy?

  Nov 15 2012: GOD is just DOG looking in the mirror...........
  
  John Lennon sings about it in Imagine. It's easy if you try. .
  
  Is there 'free will' or is life 'deterministic'?
  
  Your answers reveal your word view. Pay attention.
• +1

  A comment on Conversation: How should we understand Depression?

  Nov 14 2012: If one is not depressed, one is NOT paying attention. We are in the throws of collective suicide, environmentally, economically and socially. To ignore that reality or to 'medicate' it away will never solve anything, plus will give side effects in who knows how many and what ways. Choose your poison wisely, they are not all the same.
  
  However there is a way out. To take a vow to do all you can to build bridges to a sustainable future, in how you live and influence others. It takes strength and the rewards are few, but deep and lasting. Be a part of the solution and the depression will fade. It may not go entirely awy, but you can replace it with renewed vigor toward becoming the light.
• +1

  A comment on Conversation: How do we create a better world for all of us and future generations?

  Nov 13 2012: Kieran,
  
  I will respond with one quote from Gandhi.
  
  "There is enough for every man's NEED, but not for every man's GREED".
  
  If you don't understand the depths of that statement, I'm not sure I can help you understand the meaning of my first or second post. To ignore the 'finite planet' we all depend upon and the increasing consumption particularly of the rich is to ignore the obvious. The signs are way to clear now to ignore, in my opinion.

• A comment on Conversation: How do we create a better world for all of us and future generations?

  Nov 12 2012: End greed, ignorance and domination and control over every living thing.
  
  Let the poor inherent the earth.
  
  Return to reverence and respect for this once garden planet. Understand we do not inherent earth's resources (wealth) from our ancestors but hold them in 'trust' for future generations.
• +3

  A comment on Conversation: What experiences have made you more comfortable with mental health disorders?

  Nov 9 2012: What refreshing perspectives are represented in these posts. I couldn't agree more, that 'labels' are more destructive than beneficial. And who are the labels beneficial for? The doctors, the system of so-called mental health professionals and society to put these folks in a box. Meanwhile 'these' so-called sane folks use lobotomies, shock treatments and chemical castrations of all kinds to 'render' these misfits 'controllable'.
  
  Read R. D. Laing's seminal work, The politics of experience to better understand the depths of absurdity of what we call 'NORMAL' , the misplaced basis of much of our mental health.
  
  I would suggest that as much damage as labels do to the labeled, they do far more damage to the Doctors and society, as their ability to 'see' clearly is shrouded in a deep fog of ignorance, profits and quick fixes. How many savants have we destroyed in our system of boxes and labels? How many doctors have trouble sleeping as they remember the pain and suffering of their 'lobotomies and chemical castrations'? Who are the victims and who are the perpetrators? How far as our 'science' of psychiatry come since the days of Germany during world war 2?
  
  I applaud the ladies here who question the broken system of labels. Let me add my name to the list who agree with that conclusion.
  
  Human behavior and consciousness isn't deterministic. We all have free will, and where there is a will, there is a way.
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  A comment on Conversation: Do we need extensive human rights when we have morals?

  Nov 7 2012: What morals do we have? What evidence regarding specifics? How do we define , 'what is moral'? To whom, by whom?
  
  If we had morals would we have poverty, greed, violence, war, genocide or destroying our once garden planet?
  
  If the 'status quo' represents our morals, I would conclude; we have none.

• A comment on Conversation: Trickle down vs. trickle up

  Nov 5 2012: edward, take my comments as you will. They are freely given. If they resonate take them to heart, if they don't guard against them. Good luck.

• A comment on Conversation: Trickle down vs. trickle up

  Nov 5 2012: Bob Dylan once made the observation, "instead of coming up any higher, they would rather drag you down into the hole their in". Your comparison of East Russia and Germany does not attempt to create synthesis and/or integration but instead attempts to compare with lowest denominator. John, I'm not willing to play your game. Good bye.

• A comment on Conversation: Trickle down vs. trickle up

  Nov 5 2012: John, I guess your not able to connect the dots. Let me help.
  35 years toward sustainable forestry adopting the wisdom of Gifford Pinchot to provide the greatest good for the greatest number for the longest time. The exact opposite of paracitic capitalism which is robbing future generations blind.
  30 plus years in renewable energy and conservation from sales of solar hot water, diagnostics blower doors and duct blasters, to designing a sponsor designed conservation project. All focusing on the transition and implementation of an energy future that is sustainable and affordable, if the parasites don't poison the culture beyond any ability to find meaningful limits and use significantly less on all fronts. Which I do on a daily basis.
  
  To exploring affordable housing concepts and prototypes and how that can integrate with forestry as well.
  
  So if that doesn't connect your dots, Mr John. I'm afraid I can't help you.
  
  Good day..

• A reply on Conversation: Trickle down vs. trickle up

  Nov 4 2012: John for your benefit...in case you missed it. My previous post.
  The free market is indeed free. It's free of responsibility, accountability and liability. It's free of giving any value to natural resources, ecosystem services and all of the 'commons' we share living on this once garden planet. This disconnect is getting bigger every year with the eventually outcome of inter-generational civil war, as our children and grand children understand how selfish we have been. We need new analysis that understands these new dynamics, not looking backwards into the rear view mirror. Wake up...