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Judith L Hubbard's avatar

Much frightening information as expected, sadly. Working on our leaders in the USA 🇺🇸 but seems we must secure freedom and Democracy from our fascist, right wing authoritarian leader wannabes first. In the reports on Biden’s daily activities, there are mentions of climate mitigation but it must be addressed in bigger, more immediate ways. I know he is committed but life in the states is more than a little complex these days of spring; that he can keep the ship of state on track at all is a miracle in itself. Our protestors have turned their attention to the Mideast more prominently so that’s another very difficult situation to parse. Thank you for keeping us updated. Always appreciated and with a painting by Van Gogh as well, a sad scene but visually very appropriate. 😔

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Alexander Verbeek's avatar

As so often before, Van Gogh popped up again, this time in a more sober setting.

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rena's avatar

Much frightening information here. I have nightmares about Professor Jacobson's graph. We must elect leaders who will make the right choices for our planet. Thank you for giving us the facts.

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Alexander Verbeek's avatar

Yes the facts show us the nightmares that are about to unfold. So sad that we don’t act while we still can.

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Evelyne Luethy's avatar

Your post just ended a binge watch on Netflix. Merci! I needed that.

This is scary. I love that you added that particular van Gogh painting. I still need to write about why it has a special significance in my life. His last days, a road to nowhere, the looming blackbirds. In his case - hopelessness. In the case of our world high time to act and paint a different path that continues, shoo away the blackbirds, make brave decisions.

Well written and sobering. Thank you.

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Alexander Verbeek's avatar

Thank you, Evelyne. The painting is very powerful.

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Danièle Dugois's avatar

Thank you Alex for this clairvoyant vision of the extreme situation of our environment and for this precise and documented analysis👌

I stayed for a long time looking at this painting by Vincent VG…

The wheat is beautiful, golden, but we also see all these menacing crows on this main path, without horizon: probably his conscience (before his death), of not being able to continue his work.

I noted this comment on this painting: "It is up to her to talk about the happiness of life and the impossibility for the artist to achieve it."

Feeling of sadness in the face of his ultimate vision of his personal and intimate path. But there is also, I find, a vision of hope: 2 other paths which go in other directions whose destination we can’t see, and whose future still remains to be built.

Subtle choice of this deep and intense paint.

This illustrates well, I think, your observation: “Hope is not enough; we need courageous political leadership. »

The choice of voters, with regard to leaders, will also play a major role... it is also "everyone's business" to become aware of this, and to make this choice, "to the best of our possibilities", honest and loyal leaders, capable of taking the good paths that still exist.

But there are so many questions of power and money at stake that this could be the most difficult mission for conscious voters…

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Alexander Verbeek's avatar

Thank you for these observations. I find the painting powerful and intriguing. Van Gogh is so popular and all over the place on T-shirts and coffee mugs, that the brilliance of his work risks to be inflated by his sheer never ending popularity. But whenever I take a moment to step back and dive into his life and works again, I never fail to be touched by his visions of beauty. In times when the world is on an ever faster pace towards self-destruction, I increasingly focus on the beauty of art, nature, travel, and storytelling.

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Apr 27, 2024
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Alexander Verbeek's avatar

I might do a bit more light and positive story writing after this one.

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