Jan Spencer

Jan Spencer lives in Eugene, Oregon. His interests are a convergence of care for the natural world, permaculture, urban land use, social uplift, economics and paradigm shift. Jan invites comments to the article and welcomes invitations to speak with classes, events, symposia relating to permaculture, social uplift, economics, paradigm shift and any topics found in the Primer. Jan is into human powered bikes, frisbee and looking after his place.

Jan’s websites are aprimerforparadigmshift.org     suburbanpermaculture.org

Jan can present on these topics:

What is Paradigm Shift?; What might a paradigm shift lifestyle look like?; 25 years transforming a suburban property; Various examples of paradigm shift; Eco Villages: Critique of capitalism; History of suburbia; Social engineering; Allies and assets in the community; Ideals and ethics of paradigm shift; Reducing eco footprints; American society is a cargo cult; Paradigm shift – What doesn’t make the cut?; What can one person paradigm shift look like?; Wisdom of the world’s great spiritual traditions; Block Planning; Permaculture and preparedness; Pushing back on cars; Public places in Europe; How to pay for paradigm shift.

Please contact me via my website aprimerforparadigmshift.org.

Jan Spencer lead image

A Primer For Paradigm Shift

There are near endless reasons to downsize to elevate our own value for what it means to be human. There are untold benefits to be gained when consumers become citizens. Paradigm shift starts at home and so do the benefits.

February 3, 2026

The photo above shows Kailash after 16 years of transformation and Annapurna after 3 years transformation and the surrounding neighborhood in SE Portland, Oregon. The photo identifies several locations at Annapurna and multiple features at Kailash that are mentioned in this account of the visit.

A visit to Kailash Ecovillage

Personally, I would settle for a lot less than paradise. For me, paradigm shift would work, a condition where people simply behave in their own best interests which means living within the boundaries of the natural world and cooperating with each other for the common good. That would look a lot like Kailash Ecovillage.

July 10, 2025

Social Engineering, The Consumer Culture And US Foreign Policy

Social engineering is when a small group of people advance their own interests by using widespread, “industrial scale” messaging that goes out to large numbers of people, with the purpose to influence and shape their thinking, beliefs, values and decision making.

August 30, 2024

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Taking Paradigm Shift To A Wider Audience Part 2

Capitalism is not broken, the environmental, automobile and social mayhem we experience every day are just what it does. Humans deserve better and humans are capable of better. The Primer is here to help.

June 7, 2024

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Taking Paradigm Shift To A Wider Audience, Part One

This article is part of the Primer For Paradigm Shift Series and will describe taking the ideals and actions of paradigm shift to a wider audience. We have many allies and assets to work with for sharing what paradigm shift has to offer the wider world.

April 19, 2024

Paradign Shift: Part 4

Paradigm Shift: Part 4

Paradigm shift means a deep change in the values, beliefs, goals and function of an existing system.

January 23, 2024

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