Timefulness | Marcia Bjornerud

TL;DR

Understanding and embracing the deep time of Earth can help us make better decisions and create a sustainable future.

Transcript

good evening I'm Alexander rose and the executive director here at the long now foundation and I'm gonna be hosting editing the QA for this evening I think it's both lucky on my part because Marsha was suggesting to both mine and board member Paul Sappho's I think we both had the experience of reading this book and kind of dog-earing page after pag... Read More

Key Insights

• ❓ Geology and the concept of timefulness provide valuable insights for understanding and addressing environmental challenges.
• ⌛ The Earth's history and the intricate processes of geologic time can help us make better decisions about resource management and conservation.
• 🍉 Lack of time literacy and a focus on short-term gains contribute to environmental problems and the neglect of long-term planning.
• ⌛ Embracing geologic time and recognizing our place within it can foster empathy, sustainability, and a sense of responsibility towards the planet.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the concept of "timefulness" and why is it important?

Timefulness is an awareness of the rich natural history that surrounds us and the understanding that we live in geologic time. It is important because it helps us make better decisions about sustainability and conserving resources by recognizing the duration and intricacies of Earth's past.

Q: How does a lack of time literacy contribute to environmental problems?

Many environmental problems, such as climate change, arise from a collective lack of understanding of geologic timescales and the rates of natural processes. Without this knowledge, we often fail to grasp the long-term consequences of our actions and make decisions that prioritize short-term gains over sustainability.

Q: How can embracing timefulness benefit society?

Embracing timefulness can help us make better decisions about resource management, conservation, and climate change mitigation. It can also foster a sense of connection to the past and future, leading to greater empathy and care for the planet and future generations.

Q: How can we develop a time-literate society?

Developing a time-literate society involves incorporating geology and natural history into educational curricula and public discourse. It also requires shifting our cultural values towards long-term stewardship of the planet and recognizing the importance of understanding and valuing geologic time.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Geologist Marcia Bjornerud discusses the concept of "timefulness" and its importance in our society.

• She shares her personal experiences in studying geology and working in remote locations like Svalbard.

• Bjornerud highlights the need for a time-literate society, as many environmental problems arise from a lack of understanding of geologic timescales.

• She emphasizes the importance of embracing the long-term history of Earth and recognizing our place within it.