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A Meditation on the Future of Alaska, in 10 Precepts

By Elstun Lauesen

Ring the Bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in
— Leonard Cohen, “Anthem”

Alaskans seem frozen in place. After a promising beginning 54 years ago, we established a solid foundation for our state. Now, after a pipeline and a new demographic of Lower 48 immigrants we are in the second semester of our first century and we feel lost. Where do we go from here? I think we are high centered on some barriers to self-knowledge. The Oracle of Delphi said to ‘know thyself’ is the first order of understanding the mysteries of life. Well, maybe the same is true about understanding the future of Alaska. Here are 10 key questions to think about in connection to our future.

1. How can we build a future that we cannot envision?

What will Alaska be like in 50 years? I have tried to think about this and it’s hard. The best way to go about this is to just let yourself freely imagine what you WANT the future to be like; don’t over-think it; just be spontaneous. What you envision not only reveals a lot about you, it can influence our choices.

2. How can we manage what we do not understand?

There are huge technological, social and economic changes on the way. We have an obligation to keep educating ourselves. That’s what Thomas Jefferson meant by ‘enlightened self-government.’ If we understand future trends as well as we understand football trends, for instance, Alaska would be the most forward-looking state in the Union.

3. How can we do the right thing when our only models are wrong?

Joe Vogler, Founder of the Alaska Independence Party, used to say, “I don’t give a damn how they do it Outside.” Since the massive immigration into Alaska after the Pipeline, all these new Alaskans have succeeded in importing old ways of doing things. We need to develop Alaskan models.

4. How can we avoid pitfalls when we cannot identify them?

To people who want to go back to the good old days, I have three words: “not-so-good.” If we are incapable of distinguishing good from bad to the point of tossing a century of progress to the dustbin of history, we are ripe for repeating old mistakes. There is a century of wheels that need no reinvention.

5. What do we give our attention to when everything competes for it?

Biologists tell us that for an organism to thrive, it has to distinguish foreground signals from background noise. Each of us needs to get in touch with our self and figure out what is really important to us. Use that framework to filter the nonsense out of our lives. This will, in turn, help us be clear about the kind of future we want for Alaska.

6. How can we make government work when we don’t believe it can?

Which would you prefer, to fly in an airplane piloted by someone who hates flying, resents the passengers and believes that God is his co-pilot or fly in an airplane piloted by someone who loves flying, enjoys serving the passengers and leaves nothing to chance? Government is the same way. If we keep electing people who don’t like or know how to govern they will keep delivering government that fails.

7. How can we trust others if we don’t trust ourselves?

The authors of the Alaska Constitution were not insecure or timid men and women with low self-esteem. They were secure enough in their own judgment that they were able to trust one another — despite political and cultural differences. The polarized, angry and oftentimes bullying character of today’s political landscape in Alaska betrays a feeling of insecurity by the perpetrators that makes trust of others impossible. Where to start? Know thyself.

8. How can we sincerely work to build a world in which we ourselves may not be fit to live?

We are all familiar with Gandhi’s admonition to ‘be the change you wish to see in the world.’ Unfortunately I find myself too comfortable in my zone and I am resistant change even though I know I would be happier if I reached out more to others and listened non-judgmentally to neighbors with whom I fundamentally disagree.

9. How can we get the right answers when we don’t ask the right questions?

The relocation of coastal villages being impacted by rising oceans is a good case in point. Instead of asking how much would it cost to replicate the same village at a place convenient to state infrastructure (airfields, roads and schools), perhaps the right question to ask is where do the residents want to live and what kind of town would they want to live in? And perhaps the right answer involves international design teams interacting with the villagers to create a technical, economic and cultural solution that will be sustainable. With a price tag of $10s of millions of public funds at stake, the right question deserves to be asked and right solutions provided.

10. How can we win a game when we don’t understand the rules?

When we don’t pay attention to the changes on the horizon and when we personally resist change in our own lives, we are not in a position to either think globally or act locally. Like many Alaskans, I am often surprised by events and feel like I am the unwitting victim of some great conspiracy. In such a case, the only thing I get right is the word “unwitting.” While the game of life is often brutal and the deck (for a have-not like me) seems stacked against me, the rules can be understood when I pay attention to what is going on in the world.

Comments

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Comments
15 Responses to “A Meditation on the Future of Alaska, in 10 Precepts”
  1. Debra Chesnut says:

    Alaska’s tarnished face is what has moved me to run for US Congress. What people from Outside see when they ‘look’ at Alaska is the fluff of Sarah Palin, the temper tantrums of Don Young and Uncle Ted. I love Alaska and Alaskans and I want that to change. We need to move forward out of the ‘usual’ way of doing things into a new paradigm. There’s no reason why Alaska can’t be at the forefront of that movement.

  2. mike from iowa says:

    From an out of state perspective-Rethugs will always claim that libs and progressives want to steer America back in time where most everyone was able,through hard work and moxie,to own a piece of the American Dream. They say we can’t go back,yet they want us back in 19th and 20th century America where the few wealthiest controlled the railroads,the oil companies and they even commanded the National Guard to be used as strike breakers. That America was soundly rejected once. It may be time to do it again. Oversimplification,but true.

    • Elstun W. Lauesen says:

      Mike, I agree with you. The future of our country lies in the “Future”. So much is changing in the world around us. If the John Birch Society through the Koch Brothers gain control of this country, here is what ‘the Future’ will be: Multinational Corporations will be the heart of our economy, which means our domestic interests will be secondary to the profit interests of our corporate masters. Our military will become a publicly-funded corporate security firm. Our schools will become publicly-funded propaganda and training nodes for a compliant class of drones. Colleges and Universities will become de facto extensions of the managerial class. Enslavement of the mind and body will be assuaged by Temples of religion, whose pastors and deacons will wax fat on the tithes of a grateful nation. Each Church will issue a narrative of service and reward which a soma-like drink that we imbibe in the ‘sacrament’ will bring tears of joy and the movement of the holy spirit to each of us such that the slave collar around our necks will be viewed as a sign of the Christian Corporate Covenant. Think I’m exaggerating?

      • mike from iowa says:

        No sir,You aren’t exagerating. Your version/vision is much scarier than mine and more likely the end game if the Amerikan Korporations win.

  3. Moose Pucky says:

    Two antlers and four hooves up, Elstun.

    Can we take these one at a time and brainstorm? They are all such awesome questions.

    Here’s one thought on #1.

    “Reinventing Fire” by Amory Lovings presents a vision for a fossil-free future by 2050. Folks can ask their library to order the book and then think how ideas can be implemented in Alaska’s communities.

    • UgaVic says:

      I like the idea of puting one of these out here at a time and opening the discussion.

      My time in Alaska has not been as long as so many but does come with some exposure to a number of other areas of the country and the states contained.

      There are so many ‘layers’ in this state that teasing them apart to try and understand can be mind numbing but does need to be done.

      To see such a special state come to ruin, which I do feel is so very easy for it to do, would be heartbreaking.

      It will definately take ‘two ears and one mouth’ to even start on the journey, but it is a must!

  4. Elstun W. Lauesen says:

    These perspectives are all derived from my shortcomings and struggles and are not intended to be judgmental towards others. If they appear to be judgmental, then the fault is mine and in my framing. Thank you for understanding.

  5. Zyxomma says:

    I live on Manhattan (from the Lenape “Mannahatta” or hilly island). It’s part of New York City, which, before the British takeover, was New Amsterdam, which was part of New Netherland, stretching from Virginia to Massachusetts. New Amsterdam’s laws were, to put it mildly, very progressive (compared to laws governing life elsewhere). Not all the progressive principles were carried through once British rule commenced, but certain of those laws were incorporated into the Municipal Charter for my fair city. I don’t want this to get overlong, but it is important to carry forward what works, and figure out how to deal with what does not. In Alaska, you have unique geology, unique history, and a unique chance to plan your future. Do it with an open mind and an open heart. You have two ears and one mouth, so you can listen twice as much as you speak. Quyana, Elstun, for a great, thought-provoking, feeling-provoking post.

  6. bubbles says:

    excellent post Mr Lauesen. the ten precepts can and must be applied by us all.
    these precepts can also be used in our private lives as well. like Pi i need to consider your words. thank you. you are a wise and thoughtful man

  7. juneaudream says:

    This planet..moves forward..through our puny concepts of time and space. Perhaps..as the membranes of energy..of all kinds..thickens..assumes..greater-shape..we the humanish ones..note..where..the Bitter Waters are. The pools of human-caused..we work to understand..work for cures/corrections. The pools that geologicaly formed..we pause..contemplate..as to how to better understand their..future potential. The gaia concept..holds true. The energys..strengthen..and as..bitter waters are..reduced, calmed..erased..we the humanish..will work..elbow to elbow..to hand light to the others and to provide enough bedding to sleep in comfort..for all, peaceful dreams for all..and splendid ..Morningnewness..to us all.

  8. Alaska Pi says:

    Thank you Mr Lauesen.
    This is an extraordinary and useful way to measure the where of our collective feet and the view of the horizon which confronts us.
    I hope the thousand conversations this post started in my head become a thousand conversations with family, friends and neighbors that I may be part of what it takes to pick up our feet and our work and make what we want Alaska to be.
    I want dignity and parity at the table for all.
    I want us to live on the cusp of what was, what is, and what can be with courage and honor, to have the guts to say we are/were wrong when we fail so we don’t make the same mistakes over and over.
    Gotta go away and think about this some
    Thank you again.

    • Elstun W. Lauesen says:

      Sufi riddle; Nasruddin to a Seeker.
      “What is always around but is never here; always visible but cannot be seen; and is never where you look when you are at a place but always there before you arrive and after you leave?”
      The Seeker looked blankly at the old Mullah. Nasruddin went on:
      “…you are driven to seek it, but when you find it, you run away; your love for it is the greatest passion of your life, but when you at last can embrace it, your hatred, fear and disappointment compels you to reject it. What is it?”
      Still silent. The Mullah, by now shouts
      “I am the water that you dink that makes you more thirsty; I am the hunger that, when fed makes you famished, I am the learning that, when mastered, makes you a fool. Who am I?”
      Now frightened, the young pilgrim began to confess his confusion and fear of the deranged old man with a plea of simple honesty:
      “Truth to say…” he began…
      “YES!” Shouted the Mullah, patting the startled young man on the back…”very good”
      Nasruddin walked away whistling a happy tune.