One of the most wonderful parts of my life these days has been reading aloud in the evenings with my partner. We often read more than one book at once, and sometimes the synergy is exciting.
We just finished reading The Botany of Desire by Michael Pollan – an exquisite depiction of humans throughout time selecting apples, tulips, cannabis, and potatoes – and in the latter case corporations selecting – the genetics pleasing to humans, letting the other genetics go to compost, and thereby directing the evolution of those plant genetics – half creator.
Half, because humans could only choose from among the limited library that the plant offered. Still: Half-Creator. Us.
I’m reminded that “we have great responsibility,” say our Hopi elders.
Monsanto, though, has gone beyond the plants’ offerings. Insects and pathogens get virulent. The earth is sterilized. People become dependent. Death on many levels, including the soul and psychology of humanity.
But….