The Three Ecologies

    

The main idea of the text is that Basically Guattari is saying that humans are changing with their progress in technology. But the earth itself cannot and wont be able to continually support us. He explains that we need to look at the way we live in order to help the earth. The issues are within us, but they are also surrounding us and the people around us. and this is where the three ecologies come from. the environment, the mental, and the social. 

The three ecologies are: Social, enviromnental and mental. The environmnetal ecology consists of the earth as it is and as it was, providing itself for living creatures to thrive.
The Social ecology consists of the social groups that are created in human culture. 

To think Transversally is to understand how each ecology relates to the other, and how dependent they are on one another. To think not based on what we know and assume it to be true to every scenario, but to think and understand what is necessary for each ecology, for each individual the way they are.
This would be similar to understanding "fairness" versus "equality" when providing to different types of people.

    In his text, Guattari believes that humans are changing along with their progress in technology. But the earth itself cannot, and will not be able to support us as we are progressing more rapidly than nature can heal. This can be seen in a direct quote: "If no remedy is found, the ecological disequilibrium this has generated will ultimately threaten the continuation of life on the plants surface." He explains that we need to look at the way we live in order to help the earth. Guattari concluded that the way to understand the issues and how to address them is through the three ecologies: the environment, the mental, and the social.

   The environmental ecology is mainly connected to the world and environment that surrounds us. It is not a stand-alone object or idea, as we all live within an environment and our actions can have an effect on it, and vica versa. The pollution of air, light, water are at our hands, and the result to that is our own poisoned food supply, chaotic weather events, and deaths of other species. 

    The social ecology consists of humans and their differentiating communities; from close families, to neighbors, to colleagues, countries and viral networks. These networks can overlap, and each one can have an effect on the other. Each one of these groups has an effect on the single person, who also had an internal ecology.

    The mental Ecology is a system of an individual. The inner most thoughts of a person. What makes up an individual is not separate from the other ecologies though. The mental ecology is dependent on the social ecology; social circles, parents, the media. And those in turn will be affected by the individual.

    In order for individuals to be able to deal with the hand we have been dealt, is to think transversally. To think transversally is to understand how each ecology relates to the other, and how dependent they are on one another. We cannot assume that there is a one-size-fits-all solution to every problem. It is necessary to think and understand what best fits per each ecology. A solution meant for the mental may not work for the social. But one environmental solution may not work for another environmental issue. Guattari gives us an example in his reading: "He produced two glass tanks, one filled with polluted water (...) containing a healthy, thriving, almost dancing octopus. The other tank contained pure, unpolluted seawater. Bombard caught the octopus and immersed it in the 'normal' water; after a few seconds the animal curled up, sank to the bottom and died." With this example, Guattari shows us how dangerous black and white thinking could be, and how important it is "to understand the interactions between ecosystems."

    This would be similar to understanding "fairness" versus "equality" when providing to different types of people. Providing a step stool to a group of people at a concert would be equal, but it would not be fair. Those who are already tall will block the people behind them; and those who are disabled or wheelchair bound would find no use for a step stool.