Ian Gartshore

 “It is the theory which decides what we can observe.” ~Albert Einstein Language is powerful. Words form concepts which, in turn, determine how we view, and treat, both people and planet. We are so accustomed to thinking of one another, and Mother Earth, according to their utility or purpose that we easily fail to grasp how sacred life is. For example, when we meet someone new we are likely to ask them what they do for a living, rather than to meet someone and value them for simply being themselves. What would life be like if we instead asked who they are, what interests them, animates them, inspires them? Our language similarly turns Mother Earth into a thing. We call her “the” planet, and the cradle of our existence becomes “the” environment. Ergo, i f “the planet” is a “thing” then there is seemingly no harm in using and abusing “it.” Contrast this with an Indigenous perspective, namely that Mother Earth is a living being with whom we are in relationship, and to whom we ow...

A few organisers who oppose B.C.’s smart meters have been making false statements about me and what I believe about the meters. So that the public might be aware of what truly is my position, rather than trust the gossip circulating, this is what I actually believe about these meters. The wireless meters that have been installed on most of our homes and buildings have certain advantages as well as possible dangers. While it has been many years since I graduated from B.C.I.T. my speciality was in electronic telecommunications. For the amount of money BC Hydro spent on the meters they should have been hard-wired (not wireless). This would have greatly alleviated concerns about privacy and especially EMF (electromagnetic energy). EMF waves are potentially harmful to human and other life-forms. However, there is a great deal of debate presently occurring about what frequencies and what intensities may be harmful. In the meantime the precautionary principal should b...