A Thousand Suns
A Thousand Suns tells the story of the Gamo Highlands of the African Rift Valley and the unique worldview held by the people of the region. This isolated area has remained remarkably intact both biologically and culturally. It is one of the most densely populated rural regions of Africa yet its people have been farming sustainably for 10,000 years. Shot in Ethiopia, New York and Kenya, the film explores the modern world's untenable sense of separation from and superiority over nature and how the interconnected worldview of the Gamo people is fundamental in achieving long-term sustainability, both in the region and beyond.
Gamo's sustainable agriculture depends upon a fixed population, does it not?
What do people do for food where the population is growing too fast?
The cultural diversity that is the foundation of resilience in the Gamo Highlands has survived because of geographic isolation. Now, as a global economy founded on information brings and end to that isolation, the survival of the Gamo Highlands' priceless cultural wealth will depend on creating local economies that are stronger than the global economy so that communities are empowered to control their own destinies.
Here is a way:
This video is priceless! Thank you. I have to say that giving seeds etc. is very humanitarian. However, imposing religion on these people is a crime. The belief systems they have had for centuries should not be changed.
Many good points about the importance of biodiversity and involving native populations in the conversation in how to increase food output to support growing populations.
What did not seem to fit very well into the presentation, especially if it was trying to encourage global oneness, was the deep digs at fundamental Christianity as a root of the problems. I have my own issues with Christian fundamentalists but they do not include disrespect for nature. Christians believe in God's presence in every object of nature. Neither the words of the Protestant African minister nor the simple church structures of indigenous materials seemed to support the premise.
"Gamo's sustainable agriculture depends upon a fixed population, does it not?
What do people do for food where the population is growing too fast?"
yes, that's what GM seed corporations would have you quote for them
Yet, never underestimate human ingenuity to find solutions through community and communication. At the very least - this film reminds me of where my values lie and how little I need what is sold to me by the ruthless and relentless corporate machine.
The documentary
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Power_of_Community:_How_Cuba_Survived_P...
is a great example of the principle of community finding solutions free of Big Brother's influence
Thank you for an inspiring video, and for making it available and free and accessible!
ClaireF:
You are absolutely right in that the clips they showed do not particularly show Christianity's abuse and exploitation of the natural world. But surely, for evidence of that, you won't have to look far. Christianity laid the foundation for modern science and capitalism through the Enlightenment and Industrial Revolution. Seperation of church and state? Of science and religion? Hardly. The Bible has been interpreted by the modern institutions to grant divine permission for exploitation of all natural 'resources,' which includes people. Slavery, in the US and all around the world, the genocide against native peoples in the US (“Manifest Destiny”) and all around the world (indigenous peoples and people of color were seen by Christians as being less than human, savages, animals, part of the natural world, and therefore equally exploitable as any plant or animal). ......There are simply too many examples to mention. Do you think it is merely a coincidence that Christianity has been the underlying cultural force behind the people at the cutting edge of destruction, violence, and greed?
I refuse to lump all Christians into this description, there are many benevolent, wise and mindful Christians in the world. However, both the Christian institutions and the mainstream Christian culture have followed this route, contributing fundamentally to the global crisis we are in. While we cannot hide from the history of devastation, we must of course include all Earth peoples in the creation of solutions, therefore acknowledging that history does not exclude anyone from artfully participating in moving forward into a sustainable future. Working towards global oneness MUST include truth and process around the ways we are divided, and the forces shaping our lives.
-Ryan L.
I am grateful to all those who made this film possible and for Global Oneness for sharing it with us. The vitally important messages of our Interconnectedness with All Life and the necessity of Living Sustainably with Respect for the Diversity of Nature are well represented in this film.
I wonder if anyone at the Gates or Rockefeller Foundations has had the opportunity to view this and if they had, would it make a difference in the allocations of their philanthrophies? I can hope so...
Such an inspiring and eye opening video! However I just don't know what to think about the whole AGRA thing. I thought for sure it was something positive when I first heard of it...
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