Posts tagged Patrick Naylis
The Psychology of Hate

By Patrick Naylis

Illustration by Rob Shetterly (www.americanswhotellthetruth.org)

Derrick Jensen is an American author and environmental activist. In 2008, he won the Hoffer Award and was named one of Utne Reader’s “50 Visionaries Who Are Changing Your World.” His 2003 book, “The Culture of Make Believe,” was a finalist for the Lukas Prize Project Award for Exceptional Works of Nonfiction, sponsored by the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and the Nieman Foundation at Harvard. “The Culture of Make Believe” explored issues of hate and violence in our culture.

As a launching point for our thematic issue this month, Patrick Naylis talked with Jensen by phone about the issue of hate. Whether you agree with him or not, Jensen offers a thought provoking interview about some of the most controversial issues in American culture. He’s not shy to state an opinion, and we hope you’re not as well. Our hope is to generate a discussion about these issues. Share your thoughts online at www.denvervoice.org, or submit a letter to the editor at editor@denvervoice.org. Comments and feedback, both supportive and dissenting, will be published in the May issue of the Denver VOICE.

 

Read More
Denver VOICECulture of Make Believe, Derrick Jensen, Hate, Patrick Naylis, Richard Dawkins, Robert J. Lifton, Ruth Benedict, Tolowa Indians, slavery
Respect My Pronouns

By Patrick Naylis

Toby loves waffles. His nickname is Waffle. “I ate 336 waffles over three days while my dad was in the hospital,” said Toby, explaining how he acquired the nickname. “Chocolate chip are my favorite,” he said with a bright smile. He loves waffles so much, his mom is bringing back a waffle iron from a trip to California.

Toby attends Aurora Central as a freshman. He and his family recently located from Manitou Springs. “I actually like getting up and going to school. I look forward to it. And on occasion I’m early so I can hang out with my friends,” said Toby of his new school.

Toby didn’t always enjoy school. In fact, he found school in Manitou Springs to be a de-valuing experience. “We had to transfer out of the old school because of LGBT bullying,” said Toby.

LGBT stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender, and for this group of people, bullying in and out of schools is a big problem. “It’s a problem for all students,” said Erin Yourtz, Colorado One safe schools coordinator. However, according to a study by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) bullying is the norm for LGBT students in their day-to-day experiences at school.

Read More
Denver VOICE2009 Climate Survey, GLBT, LGBT, Manitou Springs schools, Patrick Naylis, bullying, school bullying
Meet Metech

A worker at Metech breaks down electronics into recyclable parts for further processingBy Patrick Naylis

Photography by Ross Evertson

Semi-trucks dominate the traffic in this part of Denver’s industrialized north side.  Inside a dusty100,000 square foot warehouse, a line of around 20 workers disassembles electronic goods.  They demolish electronic products ranging from 50’s era bakelite TV consoles to modern day hi-res flat screen monitors.  Behind them, hi-los scoot across the concrete floor carrying bins of sorted electronic components to waiting semi-trailers. 

This is Metech Recycling, an e-waste recycler that differs from other recyclers in the area.  Conscientious consumers brought their electronic refuse to Metech because they know it will be recycled responsibly.  They are certain it won’t be discarded in a municipal landfill or dumped on a poor nation in, say, West Africa, causing polluted air, aquifers, and soil.

Metech provides this guarantee as the basis of their business, and with the growth in disposable commodities causing environmental concern, it’s an important guarantee.

Americans buy a lot of new technology.  According to the Consumer Electronics Association, we spent $180 billion on electronic gadgets last year.  They seem to make our lives easier, save time, and offer more ways to communicate.  Consequently, Americans also trash a lot of technology: according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), we produced 3.1 million tons of e-waste in 2008.

Read More
Denver VOICEBasel Convention, Environmentalism, Metech, Patrick Naylis, e-steward program, e-waste, environment, recycling, technology, toxic waste