A Hard-Nosed Optimism
Modern economies appear to run less on character, more on energy, resources, investment, debt, and innovation. But in the world that’s coming, who we are may once again matter more than what we have.
Editor’s picks
All Change or No Change: Culture, Power, and Activism in an Unquiet World, Part III
If there is one idea that has gained the status of true hegemony – dominant and unquestioned around the world – it is the idea that we need to perpetually grow our economies, and every part of them, in order to improve the quality of human life.
Wringing Oil From Your Beverages, Food, Stuff and Heat (How to Make Your Life Less Oily in 2017, Part III)
The American way of life is saturated with oil. …Now we’ll examine how to lower the oil that directly and indirectly permeates the other parts of our lives.
Sure, Pipelines are Good for Oil Companies, but What about Jobs Related to Preserving Nature and Culture?
A more accurate reckoning of the economic benefits of pipelines needs to consider the negative impact of pipelines on other parts of our economy.
The World-Ending Fire
Wendell Berry’s formula for a good life and a good community is simple and pleasingly unoriginal. Slow down. Pay attention. Do good work. Love your neighbours. Love your place. Stay in your place. Settle for less, enjoy it more.
Growth as a Solution: Growthism Part 4
These rushes are most often presented as episodes in our national myths of free people seeking a better life, packing their whole life, and their future, on their backs and heading towards a beckoning frontier. That’s the story we tell ourselves.
Richard Heinberg on ‘America First’
From a Transition perspective, a shortening of trade distances has to be a good thing, right? Bringing manufacturing back closer to where people live, thereby reducing carbon emissions, enabling more money to cycle within the national economy rather than globally? So far, so Transition… And yet.
How Does Your Local Food Grow?
Wayne Roberts looks at all the ways local food webs are already growing, ready to become the Next Big Thing in creative disruption.
How Sharing Can Help Change Consumption Culture
All around the world, local communities are exploring fresh new ideas beyond the traditional white elephant sales and thrift shops for stretching resources, cutting down on waste, and making social connections.
All Change or No Change: Culture, Power, and Activism in an Unquiet World
In this essay, we approach the world from a whole-system perspective. This means looking at those rules, laws, norms and trends that affect the whole planet, rather than any individual nation, region or issue.
Reaching Trump Supporters with the Promise of Vision
If these were ordinary times, progressives might get away with casual images of our political opponents. Those who disagree “lack information,” or “remain prejudiced,” or are “gripped by an emotion like hate.” Reassured, we can return to informational outreach or protests or confrontations and hope that makes a difference.
Trump Versus the Media: This Could End Badly
Think of the Trump team, then, as a presidency in search of an emergency. Without a suitable crisis, prospects are fairly bleak. But given a financial meltdown, an epic natural disaster, a war, or a spectacular terrorist attack, opportunities open up.
