Pay Attention to the Reality Around Us First, Before Our Response

In this episode I argue that before thinking about what to do about something, we should pay attention to it. For example, far too much of our discussions about energy and the environment are about what we might do or what we should have done, and about a myriad of policies and technologies and best practices for solving our problems. We also tend to talk and act as if we are sure that we can solve our challenges, if we did the right thing in the right way. Instead we should examine the challenges that face us as they are, without presuming that we have everything we need to solve them, and without presuming that our modern ways of doing things will bring us to the solution. After we examine things for what they are, then we can begin to think about how to respond.

This episode also contains a few remarks on the role of science. I am not suggesting that you should just "trust the science."

Recorded on August 23, 2025. Episode 3.