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   Derek Caelin is writing a book (derek@social.coop)'s status on Tuesday, 03-Dec-2024 01:46:10 JST Derek Caelin is writing a book

   According to my word search, the answer is *399 times*. A small portion of these were social nicities (“Not another letter you’ve forgotten, I hope, Mr. Butterbur?’") but the majority were desires and anticipations. It's a story about hope!

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     Derek Caelin is writing a book (derek@social.coop)'s status on Monday, 09-Dec-2024 04:51:47 JST Derek Caelin is writing a book

     in reply to

     I feel like I just penned a pretty clear thesis statement:

     The crisis faced by the modern climate movement is comparable to that in the #LordOfTheRings, with a crucial difference. Both we and the characters of the story face an existential crisis: we must act, and come through a great struggle, in order to have hope for a better future. On the other hand, the story characters face a binary future; they must either succeed or ultimately fail...

     alcinnz repeated this.
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     Derek Caelin is writing a book (derek@social.coop)'s status on Monday, 09-Dec-2024 04:52:06 JST Derek Caelin is writing a book

     in reply to

     ...Elrond tells Aragorn that he must “either to rise above the height of all your fathers since the days of Elendil, or to fall into darkness with all that is left of your kin.” For better or for worse, we have degrees of failure with which to content. Every fraction of a degree we can prevent the planet from warming will result in a better possible world; every delay of change will bring commensurate loss of life and make a harder world to survive in.

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     Derek Caelin is writing a book (derek@social.coop)'s status on Monday, 23-Dec-2024 03:19:36 JST Derek Caelin is writing a book

     in reply to

     There's a climate denier argument that has fascinated me recently. It has broad appeal: I've heard it expressed by the incoming Trump Energy Secretary, and by centrist Democrats.

     The theory goes like this. #CarbonEmissions have gone way up since the post WWII era. We've seen warming, but we've also seen dramatic increases in human well-being since economic growth (driven by fossil fuels) has lifted many out of poverty. Therefore, the benefits of fossil fuels outweigh the costs.

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     Derek Caelin is writing a book (derek@social.coop)'s status on Monday, 23-Dec-2024 03:24:39 JST Derek Caelin is writing a book

     in reply to

     Obviously the "things have been a certain way, so I will expect it to continue to be that way" mode of thinking is part of the human condition. Our brains are wired to expect what has happened before to continue to happen. Philosophers at least as far back as David Hume where looking at "The Problem of Induction": https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/induction-problem/

     The thing is, we've gotten pretty good at modeling the #ClimateCrisis, and we know the trendline will not continue, in fact is in the process of breaking.

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     Derek Caelin is writing a book (derek@social.coop)'s status on Monday, 23-Dec-2024 03:28:33 JST Derek Caelin is writing a book

     in reply to

     Just for funsies, think of scenarios where trendlines suddenly stop. I'll go first:
     - I get all the benefits of a speeding car right until it hits the wall
     - A winter snow is mighty enjoyable right up until I get burried
     - The first cookie tastes delicious, the twentieth cookie makes me sick.

     A warming world will not behave like the old world. We're projected to lose 90% of coral reefs with the current level of warming. Tuvalu will go under water. We can model that!

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     Derek Caelin is writing a book (derek@social.coop)'s status on Monday, 23-Dec-2024 03:33:35 JST Derek Caelin is writing a book

     in reply to

     I've tried figuring out how this all relates to my book (see bio!) but honestly, there are not a ton of "deniers" in #thelordoftherings

     Wormtongue tries to convince Theoden not to act, but it's not a good faith argument. He wants Rohan to collapse because he thinks he'll benefit.

     The closest might be Saruman. He thinks the new order under Sauron could be ok? "There is hope that way. Its victory is at hand; and there will be rich reward for those that aided it."

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     Derek Caelin is writing a book (derek@social.coop)'s status on Monday, 23-Dec-2024 06:06:37 JST Derek Caelin is writing a book

     in reply to

     • dynamic_hubzilla

     @dynamic nice, yes, that's a good point.

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     dynamic_hubzilla (dynamic@hub.netzgemeinde.eu)'s status on Monday, 23-Dec-2024 06:06:38 JST dynamic_hubzilla

     in reply to
     @Derek Caelin is writing a book
     
     Doesn't everyone affected by the Ring engage in some kind of denial?  The entire idea that maybe there's a way of preserving the Ring while defeating Sauron seems like a pretty tidy analogy for the idea that maybe we can avoid confronting climate change.
     
     Examples from the book: Isildur, Boromir, Smeagol.
     
     Currently re-reading _The Two Towers_, and just finished "The Black Gate is Closed," where Smeagol says, "Don't take the Precious to Him!  He'll eat us all, if He gets it, eat all the world.  Keep it, nice master, and be kind to Smeagol.  Or go away, to nice places, and give it back to little Smeagol.  Yes, yes, master give it back, eh?  Smeagol will keep it safe; he will do lots of good, especially to nice hobbits."
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     Derek Caelin is writing a book (derek@social.coop)'s status on Tuesday, 24-Dec-2024 02:45:22 JST Derek Caelin is writing a book

     in reply to

     Mapping out responses to the #ClimateCrisis and the, uh, Sauron Crisis in #TheLordOfTheRings

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     Derek Caelin is writing a book (derek@social.coop)'s status on Tuesday, 24-Dec-2024 03:21:34 JST Derek Caelin is writing a book

     in reply to

     Tiny update - the folks I'm particularly interested in are in the "despair zone".

     Joachim repeated this.
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     Derek Caelin is writing a book (derek@social.coop)'s status on Tuesday, 24-Dec-2024 23:34:14 JST Derek Caelin is writing a book

     in reply to

     OK, *this* is an important point. Characters in #TheLordOfTheRings are constantly "despairing", but to despair is not necessarily to give up.

     In the story we see *three* reactions to despair. Frodo, Faramir - in fact, most of the principle cast - each feel a sense of hopelessness at some point, but continue to push forward. Some characters are overwhelmed and do nothing - this is Theoden, when we first meet him. And some actively subvert the heroes - see Denethor and Saruman.

     #bookstodon

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     Derek Caelin is writing a book (derek@social.coop)'s status on Monday, 06-Jan-2025 05:03:38 JST Derek Caelin is writing a book

     in reply to

     Somehow I've reached 30,000 words in my exploration of #TheLordOfTheRings and its lessons for the #ClimateCrisis.

     I spend a big portion of the book looking what characters do when they come to despair. Word 30,000 came as I was exploring Éomer's defiance of the black fleet during the battle for Minas Tirith.

     We may not feel hopeful about the coming years, but even so, we have to keep going.

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     Derek Caelin is writing a book (derek@social.coop)'s status on Monday, 06-Jan-2025 21:52:48 JST Derek Caelin is writing a book

     in reply to

     • dynamic_hubzilla

     @dynamic I responded briefly when I got the message, did you see it?

     I agree that Boromir, Smeagol, Isildur (and to some extent Denethor) don't view the Ring as a threat, while they all understand Sauron is one.

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     dynamic_hubzilla (dynamic@hub.netzgemeinde.eu)'s status on Monday, 06-Jan-2025 21:52:51 JST dynamic_hubzilla

     in reply to
     @Derek Caelin is writing a book
     
     Wanted to check if you had a chance to see my thoughts above about what I see as denialism in LOTR.  Hubzilla/Mastodon federation is a little weird sometimes, and people don't always get notified when they are tagged.
     
     I'd be curious to hear your thoughts!
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     Derek Caelin is writing a book (derek@social.coop)'s status on Saturday, 18-Jan-2025 23:19:26 JST Derek Caelin is writing a book

     in reply to

     “Not all is dark. Take courage, Lord of the Mark; for better help you will not find. No counsel have I to give to those that despair. Yet counsel I could give, and words I could speak to you. Will you hear them?”

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     Derek Caelin is writing a book (derek@social.coop)'s status on Tuesday, 21-Jan-2025 00:25:25 JST Derek Caelin is writing a book

     in reply to

     Generous deed should not be checked by cold counsel.

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     Derek Caelin is writing a book (derek@social.coop)'s status on Tuesday, 21-Jan-2025 00:35:48 JST Derek Caelin is writing a book

     in reply to

     Today I'm writing the section about Sam in the black lands, and how he holds on to hope the longest in what is arguably the darkest road.

     Sam is just... he's just the best, you know? He is utterly, utterly devoted to Frodo. Every part of him to his bones loves Frodo. And he does everything in his power to help him, sacrificing water, food. He carries him on his back up a god damn mountain. He expends the last of his strength and will to get him to his goal.

     #LordOfTheRings

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     Derek Caelin is writing a book (derek@social.coop)'s status on Tuesday, 21-Jan-2025 01:16:30 JST Derek Caelin is writing a book

     in reply to

     This book is ultimately about hope, despair, and action in the climate crisis, but I'll be damned if I can't talk about how Sam is the GOAT. It's my book! I can do what I want!

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     Derek Caelin is writing a book (derek@social.coop)'s status on Tuesday, 21-Jan-2025 03:09:16 JST Derek Caelin is writing a book

     in reply to

     • dynamic_hubzilla

     @dynamic There's a great passage in "The Letters of J.R.R.Tolkkien" about this.

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     dynamic_hubzilla (dynamic@hub.netzgemeinde.eu)'s status on Tuesday, 21-Jan-2025 03:09:19 JST dynamic_hubzilla

     in reply to
     @Derek Caelin is writing a book
     
     In my current re-read of LOTR, I keep tripping over how good Sam is to Frodo juxtaposed with how unnecessarily cruel he is to Gollum.  I think there's an uncomfortable hanging question about how things might have gone differently if Sam had taken cues from Frodo on how to behave toward Gollum.
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     Derek Caelin is writing a book (derek@social.coop)'s status on Wednesday, 29-Jan-2025 13:33:38 JST Derek Caelin is writing a book

     in reply to

     "Come, come! We are all friends here, or should be; for the laughter of Mordor will be our only reward if we quarrel."

     My reaction when I see all the lefties here fighting each other. 😮💨

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     Derek Caelin is writing a book (derek@social.coop)'s status on Monday, 24-Feb-2025 06:42:14 JST Derek Caelin is writing a book

     in reply to

     "Whatever betide, you have come to the end of the Gondor that you have known.”

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     Derek Caelin is writing a book (derek@social.coop)'s status on Monday, 03-Mar-2025 07:00:34 JST Derek Caelin is writing a book

     in reply to

     Ugh. I'm in such a challenging stage of writing. Up till now my analysis has been about literary themes on the Lord of the Rings and how they present themselves in the real world.

     Now, I've flipped the script and am talking about real world responses to climate change, and how the themes are reflected in LOTR. But people aren't characters, and it can be reductive to draw too straight a line.

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     Derek Caelin is writing a book (derek@social.coop)'s status on Sunday, 16-Mar-2025 01:40:52 JST Derek Caelin is writing a book

     in reply to

     Got another section in the LoTR environmentalism book done today.

     I focused on systems thinking and how bounded rationality means we pursue narrow goals at the cost of the whole system. Saruman sought power and was willing to side with Sauron in the hopes of keeping it. Trump Energy Sec Chris Wright acknowledges climate change is real but says the progress of human well-being has been worth it.

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     Derek Caelin is writing a book (derek@social.coop)'s status on Sunday, 16-Mar-2025 01:45:50 JST Derek Caelin is writing a book

     in reply to

     Hard to write these passages. Reading about climate denialism and folks who rail against action on fossil fuels - especially since they are in power - is just hard.

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     Billy Smith (billysmith@social.coop)'s status on Sunday, 16-Mar-2025 06:36:51 JST Billy Smith

     in reply to

     @derek

     It's difficult to get someone to understand when their salary depends upon them not inderstanding. :D

     Most of the authoritarian warlords get their power from hydraulic despotism caused by fossil fuel scarcity, so... :D

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     Billy Smith (billysmith@social.coop)'s status on Sunday, 16-Mar-2025 06:50:46 JST Billy Smith

     in reply to

     @derek

     Also, i read some interviews with Tolkein, when he was asked about the comparisons between the One Ring and Nuclear Weapons technologies.

     He didn't think much of the comparisons, but said that if the One Ring was here, then it would have been used during WWII... 🤦♂️

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     Derek Caelin is writing a book (derek@social.coop)'s status on Sunday, 23-Mar-2025 21:08:28 JST Derek Caelin is writing a book

     in reply to

     I've started writing chapters on climate abnegation and have found some bunker websites.

     Bunker websites are a trip. The first I found is all AI art, and possibly its an AI written article.

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     Derek Caelin is writing a book (derek@social.coop)'s status on Saturday, 19-Apr-2025 22:13:50 JST Derek Caelin is writing a book

     in reply to

     I really shouldn't be spending much more time on bunker websites. You could write a book just about the economics and assumptions baked in to these schemes, and I'm just trying to make this an illustration for a chapter.

     But *look at this*. A company has bought out a 20th century army weapons depot as is "selling" each metal box for $55k, plus $1k per year. For a metal box in the ground. Bring your own water.

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     Derek Caelin is writing a book (derek@social.coop)'s status on Saturday, 19-Apr-2025 22:18:49 JST Derek Caelin is writing a book

     in reply to

     I, I just... look at this concluding paragraph on a summary of condos.

     "The emergence of luxury doomsday bunkers underscores the complex intersection of wealth, preparedness, and lifestyle. These extravagant shelters offer a glimpse into the desires and concerns of the super-rich, willing to invest substantial sums to ensure their safety and comfort in the face of potential global catastrophes."

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     Derek Caelin is writing a book (derek@social.coop)'s status on Saturday, 19-Apr-2025 22:19:20 JST Derek Caelin is writing a book

     in reply to

     "While these doomsday bunkers showcase human innovation and engineering prowess, they also underscore the pressing need to address societal inequality and prioritize the well-being of all individuals, regardless of their economic status. As the world navigates an uncertain future, luxury doomsday bunkers are a stark reminder of the intricate relationship between privilege, preparedness, and responsibility."

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     Derek Caelin is writing a book (derek@social.coop)'s status on Saturday, 19-Apr-2025 22:25:02 JST Derek Caelin is writing a book

     in reply to

     "Imagine you are one of the wealthiest and most powerful people in the world and then something unimaginable happens and you're a regular guy, you have no place to go in the moment," Al says. "Going to a hotel isn't the same as going to a sanctuary that is waiting for you."

     https://www.realtor.com/news/unique-homes/doomsday-bunker-aerie-luxury-robots-rich-wealthy/

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     Derek Caelin is writing a book (derek@social.coop)'s status on Saturday, 19-Apr-2025 22:28:01 JST Derek Caelin is writing a book

     in reply to

     This company SAFE is selling a $300million dollar membership using what appears to be AI art. Check out this luxury MRI machine.

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     Derek Caelin is writing a book (derek@social.coop)'s status on Saturday, 19-Apr-2025 22:30:46 JST Derek Caelin is writing a book

     in reply to

     "But where the more stereotypical preppers have vegetable patches and remote cabins, Aerie offers "AI-powered" medical care, "wellness programs," and the promise to "blend protection and luxury" in a way that has never been done before."

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     Derek Caelin is writing a book (derek@social.coop)'s status on Sunday, 18-May-2025 23:33:41 JST Derek Caelin is writing a book

     in reply to

     ✊ Today I hit the 40,000 word mark on my book on #TheLordOfTheRings and the modern environmentlist movement!

     As I hit this milestone, I am writing about mental health and depression in response to the climate crisis.

     Depression emerges from the cumulation of our daily stressors. In some ways it is evidence that we are aware, conscious of the failings of the world we have built.

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     Derek Caelin is writing a book (derek@social.coop)'s status on Thursday, 22-May-2025 06:01:20 JST Derek Caelin is writing a book

     in reply to

     I finished the first draft of "Roots"! 🤪

     I've clocked in at about 42,000 words. Probably this will grow as I revisit the work and find areas to flesh out and re-write. But at the moment we're looking at 170-200pg book, depending on density.

     I think I've earned myself a little treat. Time to start reaching out to friends in the publishing industry!

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     Derek Caelin is writing a book (derek@social.coop)'s status on Thursday, 22-May-2025 06:05:09 JST Derek Caelin is writing a book

     in reply to

     If you're interested in reading a sample of my book about Environmentalist themes in #TheLordOfTheRings, please take a look:

     https://derek.caelin.cloud/where-the-roots-are-long/