Whole Life Times: Editor’s Note Gets a Nod

January 2008 | Letters from Readers

Editor’s Note Gets a Nod

I don’t always read the editor’s intro because I am usually scanning magazines more quickly than I would prefer, but in your case I always read the introduction and always seem to be nodding in affirmation. I enjoy the direction your thoughts take on issues and the purpose and levity that you impart with your words. Well wishes.
—Barb, via email

In response to your December editor’s note, (“Consciousness in Translation,” detailing WLT’s hunt for a better word than “conscious” to describe the burgeoning social change movement), my suggestion: “Mindful Evolution.”
—Jeanette, via email

A Rachel Carson Revival for Our Body Burdens

I appreciated reading Stacy Malkan’s article in the November issue informing the public about the dangers of toxic chemicals — no matter how benign we’re told they are — in personal care products (“Beauty News We Can All Use” 11/07). My wife first alerted me to the article, as she knows I’m always interested in important topics related to health or environmental awareness.

The information described in the article in terms of the proliferation of chemical exposures and their potential links to chronic diseases left me numb-ified. I mean haven’t we humans learned anything? Does the name Rachel Carson ring a bell to anybody? Given that “we can’t just shop our way out of this problem,” the more pressing predicament then becomes: how does a person rid the body of synthetic industrial chemicals once they’ve invaded our bodies? As suggested, “biomonitoring” is a possible first step, but how does one find out more about that or any other ways to eliminate potentially harmful chemicals once they’re in our body?

It’s really mind-blowing to me in this day and age that this can be permitted. As if worrying about chemicals in our air, water and food isn’t bad enough, now it’s personal care products. It’s no wonder why the cancer rates are so high. I may be wrong about this, but in the last few years I’ve noticed cancer rates appearing at younger and younger ages.

Gee, I wonder why. Wake up America!
—Richard, Long Beach

Sometimes Simplifying Ain’t Simple At All

I just picked up a copy of your magazine and was very interested in the article “Enough” (11/07). I’ve become aware of needing to simplify my life and recently decided to get back to working as an independent designer. It’s not that difficult to go out and find work — but finding meaningful work is a bit more of a challenge, especially in the green sector.

I’ve been researching local companies with a green connection. There just doesn’t seem to be a lot out there. In the process of my research I’ve run into a couple of green networking groups and plan to check them out in more detail. Most of them seem to be nonprofits based on educating the public — which is great — but I thought there would be more businesses out there developing green products and services. Although I’ve always recycled and picked up trash, I’ve only become more aware and dedicated to simplifying my life and the work I do recently. It would be interesting to read about how other people have made this change, and far more interesting if they weren’t CEO’s or people bringing down a $100,000 a year plus salary (unless they got to that level of success by going green).
—Carl, via email

Smothering the Fire Once and For All

I like your magazine. I didn’t think the cigarette ad was a big deal. I work with a half dozen lacto-vegetarians that smoke cigarettes. It doesn’t make sense — but it’s a choice just like eating “natural” hormone-free meat products compared to lower quality meat products. So much for the liberal point of view regarding censorship.
—Anonymous, via email

To all those in judgment of tobacco ads/vibe ads/articles on carnivore eating/etc., I say, “(en)lighten up!”
—Kris Stephens, San Anselmo

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