A note on abstract thought

Australians seem to have largely lost the ability for abstract thought. The reasons for this are many with consumerism, and the media being two significant factors (I’d also probably add an increased comfortability and a relatively stable country).

It is because of this that people like John Howard can get away with describing the Green’s Policies as ‘kooky’ when they are really relatively conservative, at leas historically speaking. It is also the reason that ideas such as socialism are now dirty words and the environment movement cuts down anyone with ideas that are out side the main stream, including so called ‘radical’ environmental groups.

This is a problem which is further compounded by the fact that we are the most educated we have ever been which one would think would increase our overall capacity for abstract though, not diminish it. I don’t know what the answer is but it probably has something to do with stepping outside the reductionist disciplines that are being taught to most of us and actually engaging in meaningful debate. Somehow the whole ‘my tax cuts are better than your tax cuts’ sort of debates that have dominated the current federal election just haven’t captured my imagination.

The Age has today reported that a group called the Network of Concerned Farmers have taken matters into their own hands with regards to the secret trials of GM canola being under taken by Bayer CropScience.

The Network of Concerned Farmers have charted a plane to fly over western Victoria and have photographed six different farms that could be the secret crops. So far the Network have been advised in writing that one of the crops were not GM and they are hoping that other will do the same so they can narrow it down to those that are GM.

Direct action is never a clean cut operation. By its nature it requires a degree of Machiavelli logic. Compromises need to be made to some extent as it generally involves infringing on the liberties of an entity (be it a person or otherwise). However I think I’d disagree with this particular tactic.

I think it is a safe bet that if you can discover which crop is GM that this crop will be vandalised to some extent. I’ve no problem with this really, Bayer are a bunch of fascist bullyboys and you should steal from them. However I am concerned for the legit farmer who could well reap the wrath of an over zealous activist.

Organisations such as Greenpeace who are quite renowned of their direct action but it is invariably backed by a considerable amount of research to support their claims. They can point directly at the perpetrator and back up their allegations with evidence. I’m concerned about the way the Network are working backwards.

There is the other interesting issue here of the secrecy that has been awarded to Bayer. It is of great concern that this sort of privilege can be given to a corporation as it certainly wouldn’t be given to a non-profit (for example). Will the results of the test be made available? Will there be the opportunity for independent review? Is the safety of GM foods in Australia going to be determined by the results found by the very corporation that serves to benefit from a positive report?

It is understandable that the location is made secret as they would most likely be vandalised – however this is a concern for Bayer. What about the concerns of the surrounding farmers. This is highly un-democratic.

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There are two anti-Howard rallies this weekend – everyone should attend as democracy is about more than just voting on Oct 9.

The first one is 5pm Friday outside the state library – Free the Refugees

The second one is 1:30 Sunday – outside the state library – End the Lies.

I’m sure I’ll see you all there.