It’s an old idea but one that’s worth re-exploring: buying land to save it.
American multimillionaire and North Face founder Douglas Tompkins bought up huge chunks of Argentina earlier this month. Tompkins says he wants to prevent these ecologically sensitive areas from being developed and exploited by corporations. He even intends to eventually turn them over to the Argentinian government as nature reserves.
But Tompkins has also been accused of ignoring the rights of natives and locals who live in the area, some even accuse him of trying to gain control of the significant water resources in the area. We think there must be a way for philantropist and eco-activists like Tompkins and forward thinking governments to work together. The potential for ecological preservation is much too great to let disputes be a permanent stumbling block.
Late last week, Boing Boing posited a very interesting question., “Why are most of the images of the third world being taken by first world photographers?” It brings up any number of issues of race, neo-colonialism, representation and indigenous empowerment.
The Yes men strike again. Their latest prank has shades of Soylent Green and A Modest Proposal. It’ll bring a (mischievous) smile to your face.
McSweeeney’s, one of our favourite indie publisher, needs your love and your help.
Finally, we rediscover this 80s classic.