The Straw that Broke the Camel’s Back

As I was reading the New York Times a few weeks ago, I came across an article that wouldn’t normally hold my attention if it weren’t for the blatant absurdity of the situation it was exposing.  For the last six years, I have been learning about systems and systems thinking, through an inductive process.  This article provides a wonderful metaphor and exposes the all too common dilemma that arises through our lack of ecological thinking.  We, and I’m including myself in this, seem to make rash decisions out of fear, attempting to avoid the “bad thing” from happening, but we don’t understand the interdependent nature of our world – how everything relates.  Unless we begin to address the cause of such issues, our whole world may begin to resemble the unfortunate landscape of modern Cairo.

Belatedly, Egypt Spots Flaws in Wiping Out Pigs

Pigs were the champion garbage consumers in Cairo. Other animals just don't seem up to the task.