I AM ANNOYED by anyone who says only experts know what to do so we have to leave everything to them. What an absurd and irresponsible statement!
Let me tell you this: the only difference between experts and lay people is that of the use of common sense. We all have common sense but, those we brand as experts use more of these than the average of us do. This is a fact. Because some people use more common sense, they study a certain aspect more. Because they put more common sense into it, in the course of their study, which usually takes most of their time, they experience and virtually ‘live' what they study. And once again, because they use more common sense, it is only fitting that they make known to the world and share to us what they have studied. Thus, because we opt for a limited use of common sense, we just accept what they share and call them experts.
In the case of the “environment”, the real experts should be those who are in it. Not those who we import into that environment. This is just a matter of common sense. Now, in the case of telling a lie, I am not saying that experts tell lies. But, if the situation (the environment) so warrants, they should be better believable liars. Let us consider two men who are marooned in an island of cannibals. One declares to be an expert on meats and the other a very wealthy politician. When the cannibal chieftain asks both of them whose meat tastes better, both would surely say that the other one's meat is better than his. But then, knowing that one is an expert on meats, the chieftain would surely believe him and the tribe would partake of the politician's meat no matter how much he offers to pay for his life. Both told lies, but who came up to be the better liar?
Now then, the expert is left and so he is next to be eaten. He readily advises the chief that an alligator's or a hippo's or a tarantula's meat is way much better than that of a human being. Another lie meant to spare his life. Do you think that the cannibals would change their lifestyle because an expert on meats tells them so? Will they “leave everything” to the expert? Hah! If you think so, then you'd better start taking mega doses of common sense. What then if you are the said expert and you will be given more than a considerable amount by the chieftain to make your ‘meat theory' more convincing so that his fellow cannibals would follow his change of eating habits? Don't tell me you will not make heaven and earth meet? And, mind you, expertise on ecology or environment has more room for twists and turns than that of proficiency in meats. Now, let us take the case of building of more islands to an island. Would we need experts to tell us what an absurd idea it is? Well, it is okay to dream big but then to drag the provincial government into it in a lopsided deal makes the dream more illogical. Estoryahe!
If we all leave everything to imported and highly paid experts because, as the island builder's amplifier declares, they are the ONLY one who knows about our ecology and environment, it will surely be a kiss of death. Why must we try to prove we are much better than nature which brings our very life to us? Just because of hunger for more money? I hope we all take time to know what is happening to The World Islands off the coast of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, considered as today's development epic and the hub of luxury possessions. The group of man-made islands shaped into a world map is observed to be sinking back into the sea and is now beset with major financial crisis. Do we need to make one such problem of our own? Panglao Island is freely given to us by nature already full of blessings. With or without more islands, it is already a gem, the crowning jewel of Bohol. It is but fitting and proper to leave it as it is. To join Wordigras, email me at w ordigras@yahoo.com . I will be back next week. Take care of Mother Nature and Mother Earth and be a sustaining Father of Mankind.
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