Stories from la Tenuta
Earth Day: Let's take care of our Pale Blue Dot
It was the 1970s, and the Green Generation felt the need to establish a world day dedicated to Earth. Today marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, and coincidence (not coincidence) dictates that we are in lockdown due to a pandemic. For this reason, we will reflect, now more than ever, and we will do so in our homes. We start from here... It's 1990, Voyager 1 is a full 6 billion kilometers from Earth, and Carl Sagan convinces NASA to turn the probe's camera to return photographs of our planet. Seen from there, it's nothing more than a grain of sand suspended in the enveloping cosmic darkness. In front of that surprising image he will say: From this distant vantage point, Earth may not seem particularly interesting. But for us, it's different. Look at that dot again. It's here. It's home. Earth is the only world known to support life. There is nowhere else, at least in the near future, where our species can migrate. Visit, yes. Colonize, not yet. Like it or not, for now, Earth is where we play our cards. There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human vanities than this distant image of our tiny world. For me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and protect the pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known. Now let's think about how we can take care of that pale blue and, indirectly, preserve our stay. There are no more excuses and no alternatives. We have plenty of time to do it!
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The Essential Christmas: Happy Holidays!
We complained every year about the preparations for Christmas, the rush for gifts, the planning of the menu. We've complained every year because we didn't feel like putting up the tree, seeing our aunt back from the north, our mother's sister-in-law's cousins' children, or our mother-in-law. This year we're given the option of not seeing anyone, and what do we do? We're complaining anyway! We're never satisfied; complaining is innate, it's the human condition. Or perhaps we miss those social relationships that are no longer so obvious. And we miss them precisely for this reason, because they're no longer at the discretion of our own desires and will, but suggested and regulated, measured out to do us the least harm possible. But this slowdown isn't necessarily a bad thing. Stepping back allows us to look at a work of art in its entirety. Let's take them, it will appear more beautiful! We're all constantly connected, constantly learning about the news, hyper-stimulated by images, posts, stories, tweets. We forget that the brain is a slow machine, and all this rushing around causes us anxiety. So let's slow down, let's follow neurobiology, let's not chase old-fashioned party models, let's learn to use the parachute we've been given. Let's slowly let it lead us, let's put our feet on the ground, turn on the lights, set the table, and celebrate this Christmas. Let's try to abandon the idea of making it seem "normal," because it isn't: one thing is certain, it will be unique, and we will remember it. But you can always eat a lot, drink well, and indulge in sweets. Hug each other with your eyes. Merry Christmas from the Estate!
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