By David Suzuki with Faisal Moola

Many people say George Wald was the greatest lecturer in Harvard’s history. He was certainly the best I’ve heard. Dr. Wald won a Nobel Prize in 1967 for his work on the biochemical basis of colour vision. He and I became friends in the 1970s because we shared a common concern about the misapplication of science, especially during the war in Vietnam. Dr. Wald once captivated me with a story he told:

For close to 150 million years, dinosaurs dominated the planet, and they were impressive. They were huge animals, armed with weapons like spikes on their tails, giant claws, and razor-sharp teeth. They were covered with armour plates. They seemed invincible, and when they roamed the Earth, other creatures fled in terror. But they had a fatal flaw: a tiny brain in relation to their body size. Despite their impressive traits, they disappeared – victims, in part, of their low brain-to-brawn ratio.

About 64 million years after the dinosaurs went extinct, a beautiful animal appeared on the plains of Africa. This animal stood upright and walked on two legs, and its skin was free of fur. Unlike the plentiful wildebeest, this animal was rare. It wasn’t as big as a hippo. It wasn’t even as fast as an elephant. It wasn’t as strong as a chimpanzee, and it couldn’t see like an eagle, smell like a dog, or hear like a gazelle.

But those first beautiful humans were endowed with the highest brain-to-brawn ratio ever achieved, and in only 150,000 years, they had spread to every continent on Earth. Humans eventually outnumbered other mammals on the planet. Their high brain-to-brawn ratio served them well as they learned to domesticate plants and animals, and to live in environments as varied as Arctic tundra, deserts, coral atolls, mountain slopes, wetlands, and forests of every kind.

But then they invented guns and cannons and their brain-to-brawn ratio fell. They got into cars, tanks, and planes, and dropped napalm and nuclear bombs. And with each innovation, the brain-to-brawn ratio sank toward that of the dinosaurs.

I love Dr. Wald’s story because it encapsulates much of our dilemma. The human brain was the critical factor that more than compensated for our lack of physical and sensory abilities. We had a vast memory, we were observant and curious, and we were creative. In the past, our innovations such as the needle, bow and arrow, and pottery had huge repercussions but took centuries to evolve into the culture.

Agriculture was the big shift that released us from being nomadic hunter-gatherers to farmers and village dwellers. Then the Industrial Revolution heralded a massive change. In only two centuries, people were able to harness the cheap, portable energy of fossil fuels to create machines of incredible power. In the movie Avatar, the giant robots have no heads, a symbol of what we have become as a species. We have acquired vast technological power but far too little of the brainpower or wisdom needed to use that power well.

Consider this simple example. When New Zealand fishers discovered a fish called orange roughy in deep-sea waters, they thought they had hit a bonanza. Technology to fish the deep sea – radar, sonar, GPS, freezers, giant nets – enabled them to exploit the abundant fish in massive numbers. Despite the fact that these were a new target species about which virtually nothing was known, the animals were taken in vast quantities. It’s called “harvesting” but it was really a “mining” operation. Only years later did we learn these fish live more than a hundred years and grow and mature far more slowly than inshore species.

When was the last time you ate orange roughy? They have been nearly wiped out all around the globe because our technology was too powerful in relation to our knowledge. We didn’t consider our limitations, which should have caused us to be far more cautious and conservative. The technology meant that brain-to-brawn sank toward a level closer to that of the dinosaurs.

Technology can provide great benefits, but unless we learn to use our heads in applying our technologies, we will also go the way of the dinosaurs.

A very concise history of Berlin for LK readers

Isn’t it funny how whenever you mention the words history and Berlin - the holocaust, the iron curtain and WWII instantly spring up?

However, Berlin is not only about the Second World War. The war simply destroyed what was already there before. Otherwise it wouldn’t have been that much loss, would it?

So let’s take a glimpse into the history of this city to find out what makes it so special.

When the territory of the German tribes was first described on 98 AD today’s Berlin was well outside the frontiers of the Roman Empire. Then from the 8^th century on Slavic tribes started to settle in the region around the rivers Havel and Spree. Some of the city’s neighbourhoods actually originate from these early Slavic settlements like Spandau and the name of the whole region – Brandenburg.

Later on in the beginning of the 10^th century emperor Otto I the Great established for the first time German control over the Slavic inhabitants and founded the dioceses of Havelberg and Brandenburg. Then in the 12^th century Albert the Bear, a German magnate sent by the roman emperor, was christianizing the region and after 1200 two towns were founded on the banks of the river Spree - Köln in 1237 and Berlin in 1244. Later they were united into one city and now one of Berlin’s neighbourhoods is called Neuköln. Berlin’s name is recorded in Latin language documents as Berolina and the bear symbol comes from the heraldry of the Ascanians – the descendants of Albert the Bear.

From 15^th to 17^th century the Brandenburg region with the united Berlin and Köln was a principality of the Holy Roman Empire and many of the ruling noblemen families continued to rule there until the 20^th century. In 1674 the famous boulevard Unter den Linden was laid down between the Tiergarten park and the Palace built by Frederik II Irontooth.

In the 18^th century Berlin was the capital city of the Kingdom of Prussia. That was when the first wall was built – a wooden wall with 14 gates around the city, as at that time Prussia was an important military power. After that followed the Enlightenment and the city became an important philosophical centre. But then again at the end of the 18^th century the wall was rebuilt in stone, by the current emperor who was against enlightenment. The Branderburger Tor is now recognized as one of the symbols of Berlin.

In 1871 Berlin became the capital of the newly-founded German Empire. By that time the industrial revolution had already transformed the city – the economy and population expanded dramatically, several more suburbs were incorporated and it became the country’s main rail hub and economy centre. In 1881 Berlin became a separate district from the province of Brandenburg. WWI led to hunger, King Wilhelm II abdicated and the socialists proclaimed Germany a republic – the Weimar republic. After 1920 the city expanded more and united even more neighbouring suburbs, villages and estates. It was a time of dire economic events, unemployment was high and there was hyper-inflation, but still with some help Berlin became the largest industrial city in Europe and nightlife was booming in the 1920’s.

All that was abruptly interrupted in 1933 when Hitler became a chancellor and Berlin – the capital of the Third Reich. This period included the well-known persecution of Jews and creation of many forced-labour camps in the city. Hitler also had plans to transform post-war Berlin, but unfortunately the allied bombarding that started in 1943 hindered his grand plans. By 1945 the city was mostly ruined and Germany capitulated to the Soviet army. What followed was a pretty intense and unique situation, the city was divided into four parts each belonging to one of the war allies. Neuköln, Kreuzberg, Tempelhof, Schöneberg, Steglitz and Zehlendorf were in the US sector; Tiergarten, Charlottenburg, Wilmersdorf and Spandau belonged to the UK; France’s sector consisted of Wedding and Reinickendorf and finally the Soviet Union took over Mitte, Prenzlauer Berg, Pankow, Weissensee, Friedrichschein, Lichetnberg, Treptow, and Köpenick, known a bit later as East Berlin. The attempts of the great world powers to seize control over the city resulted in what is known as the “Berlin blockade” which lasted almost a year.

So the city became the turning point for settling the differences between the western allies and the Soviet Union and remained such for the next 45 years. Most of the historic centre of Belrin remained in the eastern part which became the capital of the German Democratic Republic. The American, French and British forces formed West Germany moving the capital to Bonn. In 1961 the Berlin wall was built as an “anti-fascist protection wall” physically separating East and West Berlin. From then on westerners could pass though with difficulty through the wall, but for easterners approaching it was already deadly; during its existence 192 people were killed in attempt to escape from East Germany.

The wall fell in November 1989 marking the end of communism in Europe, east and west Berlin reunited in October 1990 to become what is today one of the world’s economic, political, scientific, cultural and artistic capitals.

Coincidentally or not on the 8^th of March – international women’s day, the songwriting class in LK hojskole was surprised with a trip and a concert.

In quest for inspiration for our songwriting aspirations we attended Esbjerg music academy where Danish singer/songwriter Randi Laubek gave a clinic presenting her work and then went to a real concert where she promoted her new album.

The whole trip was organized like a mission with the sole purpose of finding out more about songwriting and seeing how it actually works in the career of this artist.

So we took the train to Esbjerg, then we had to find our way (almost) to the music academy where we spent more than 3 hours listening to Randi Laubek and her process of making music. Thanks to the Danish students we the foreigners also managed to understand most of the things she said. Neverthelles, it’s very interesting to see a performer standing so close to you, without any special stage setting, delivering her music in a non-concert manner. In this way we got to know Randi’s personality and were prepared for the real concert.

the clinic

Most of us felt rather tired after the clinic and we didn’t have much strength for shopping J we managed to attack only one store and then headed to Anders’s house where he prepared one of the best Bolognese pasta we’ve ever tried. In between we talked mostly about music and listened to Randi Laubek of course!

Anders,the chef

After a few beers we went to the concert which took place in an old tobacco factory – so very alternative and fitting for such an artist. Now we had the chance to see how she sounds on a real stage. A quite unique artist actually, you can’t really compare her to anybody a lot. Although critics say she reminds Johnny Mitchel it’s difficult to give her a specific genre or likeness to a specific style – she has her own niche – that’s the conclusion we all arrived at about her music.

the concert

We came back late in the evening enjoying the white frosted night or … sleeping.

Definitely a lovely and enriching trip, the inspiration might show later on in our work … let’s see ;)

Inspired?…

OLD BULGARIAN TRADITION CARRIED TO DENMARK

The coming of spring in Bulgaria is celebrated with an ancient, traditional ritual. On the first of March each year all Bulgarians give each other as presents “martenitsi” – white and read tassels or bracelets. The ritual dates back to the 6^th century, it is related to the establishment of the first Bulgarian state and also with a mythical figure from the Bulgarian folklore – Baba Marta or “Granny march”. She is an old grumpy woman whose rapid mood changes reflect the weather and that’s precisely what happened in Logumkloster – sunny relatively warm and melting days followed by heavy snowfalls.

we still have to wait to see the good mood of Baba Marta ;)

Yes, Baba Marta was really here and for the first time the Bulgarian tradition was carried to Logumkloster hojskole. Everybody embraced the celebration and now we all have our white and red bracelets on our hands, let’s see who will spot the first blossomed tree and will hang the first bracelet! :)

Martenitsi - an exhibition with all popular variations of this decoration, handmade in Denmark :)

GETTING TO KNOW LØGUMKLOSTER IN WINTERTIME

It’s not really easy to go out there and find anything about a place you have never seen or heard before when everything is covered with snow, the streets are more or less empty and the whole town is hushed under the cold arms of the winter.

not quite the time to make a field trip

I tried to make something like a small field trip on my own and see what kind of information a foreigner like me, set in the middle of nowhere in Denmark, can get from people and the resources available. So here’s what I’ve found:

1.Where it all began.

The town developed around a Cistercian monastery founded in the middle ages. The official date of the foundation of Løgumklsoter is considered to be 28^th of November 1173 when the Pope confirmed the establishment of the monastery. The church was erected between 1225 and 1325. Løgum abbey became quite prosperous over the years acquiring some property lands. However, soon after the Reformation the monastery was abolished but the church survived, becoming the parish church of Løgumkloster. The lands belonging to the abbey went under the ruling of the dukes of Schleswig-Gottorp. The town itself developed later on in the 17^th century when it became a significant trade place for the whole region.

Logumkoster in 1895, drawing

2. What makes it an important sight?

The church. The tall impressive tower suggests without words that it is the cornerstone of the town. It was built as the north range of the abbey precinct in the form of a Latin cross with a nave and two side aisles. Chapels were added down the sides of the nave over time. The building shows the mix of Romanesque and Gothic styles: some arches are rounded Romanesque arches, and others are the characteristic pointed arches of the Gothic style. The tower over the transept contains three bells, the oldest, preserved from the original abbey, dating from 1442.

winter church

It is considered one of the most beautiful churches in Denmark, its acoustics and interior are exquisite making it a popular place for many concerts.

The castle. West to the church lies the castle. This beautiful and stylish Renaissance building was built around 1585 as the hunting lodge of Duke Adolphus of Gottorp. This and other buildings constructed after monastic time, coupled with the monastery buildings, a castle-like construction with water-filled pits. The palace later became the seat of county government. Since 1973 the castle building has been a pastor college.

Carillon. East of the church is located a free-standing bell tower named after king Frederik IX. To be honest I haven’t heard about such thing before, I thought it was an ugly bell tower, but it turned out to be a musical instrument. What makes it special is the size – this is actually the largest carillon in whole Northern Europe rising at 25 m height with 49 bells. It was built in 1973 to mark the 800th anniversary of the town. This tower is connected with the name of Peter Langberg – worldwide famous carillon and organ player who founded the Danish State Church Music School or The Scandinavian Carillon School here in 1979 and since 1980 is the city carilloneur of Løgumklsoter.

Holmpladsen. One of the first things that impressed me in this town was the small brick houses having only one storey as if they have to sympathize with the relatively flat landscape. It turns out that this is the typical local design inherited from the medieval times. It can be clearly seen at Holmpladsen - the well preserved square of the original historical town centre. It is enclosed between the streets Klostergade and Lillegade, encompassed by cobbled streets revealing low tiled winged houses. Although the cobblestone is probably covered by the snow, I managed to find some strip lines and here’s how it looks.

typical house with narrow strip of cobblestone

In the outskirts. Just outside the town there is a preserved primeval forest where you can find a graveyard and a monument dedicated to the prisoners-of-war from World War One during which time this was German land. A little further there are the remains of a concentration camp. It’s quite unexpected to find these dark symbols in such a peaceful and serene place as Løgumklsoter, it’s standing in the middle of the forest like a torn fragment of the most utter ghetto, there’s not even a sign or inscription – just a sprayed swastika, completely incompatible with the rest of the landscape, funny how if you try to search for information about the existence of camps the only answer you get is about the survival of the Danish jews.

graves of belgian,french and russian prisoners

daunting nazi signs

Forgotten. Yes, there was a railway road in Løgumklsoter connecting it with Bredebro in 1885, nobody could remember this or when it was closed, people even told me they’re not “old enough” to remember, but the link was closed in 1936 – with no other reason, apparently because of lack of passengers.

Oddly enough. While exploring the town and the walking routes in the near forest I couldn’t help but wondering what do these bizarre huge hairy creatures are doing here. I’ve never seen such big horses and the answer to my amazement was that they have annual horse-breeding nominations and horse markets here – in April and August, so hopefully we’ll get the chance to see the brand new breed this year!

In the end, with this field study I became quite engaged with the town’s history, important names and sights. This research completely absorbed me and made me feel intrinsically connected with the place. In this way I didn’t simply learn about it, but rather began living it! It’s by far the best way to get to know the town – even in unwelcoming wintertime! :)

This place is no longer a formal spot on the map

… but “our place” where we go out at night and have fun!