Holism seems to have become such an unholy grail in human behaviour that it was with some pleasure that I read David Bucknall鈥檚 鈥淚n for the duration鈥� (18 March, page 37).

We have become so accustomed to, and even obsessed by, the successes that have been wrought from our struggle with nature that we are in danger of succumbing to the belief that the continued success of humanity is dependent on continuing the process. In my view this attitude alone will ensure our demise.

Construction is an essential component of civilisation. It was perhaps the original stimulus towards a move out of those overcrowded caves in which our ancestors sheltered. Construction not only provides shelter to allow other, perhaps more intellectual, pursuits, it was the original intellectual pursuit, and still provides a good deal of stimulus.

It is clear to me that unless humanity as a whole takes some very big strides towards reconciling our needs with those of our environment, mother nature will assert herself. The signs of this assertion are beginning to show and whether we end up like the rump of what was a great civilisation on Easter Island is to some extent in our hands.

William Matley, planning supervisor

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