Part of a Tesla’s sleekness comes from its interior; like many high-end cars, Teslas are swathed in leather. This sleekness comes at a price. The Brazilian leather that Tesla used before its switch to vegan leather supported the deforestation of the Amazon, the displacement of Indigenous communities, and animal cruelty. However, the vegan leather Tesla’s using isn’t clean either. It’s made of plastic, fueling the fossil fuel industry. But at least the fossil fuel used to make said plastics isn’t as bad as deforestation’s contribution to greenhouse gases. Read full article here
Culture
The Priest in the Arena
The phrase “man in the arena” has been popularized in recent years, but a lesser known, more dangerous archetype is the “priest in the arena”. This figure is responsible for a process called theocratic capture, where an institution surrenders to a cult demanding unaccountable authority, fueled by claims to privileged knowledge. These cults often target powerful institutions and attempt to monopolize conversations with scaremongering tactics and hostile treatment of allies. It is important to identify and stop theocratic capture before it can gain control. Read full article here
Merv
May 29, 2023
