| The similarities between our economic and natural environments 08:50 - Oct 24 with 470 views | NthQldITFC |
This video, I find really concise and full of fundamental truths. Monbiot is talking about the self-regulating nature of the system, and how it can survive stresses and maintain its equilibrium. That is until it becomes overstressed, reaches its tipping points and spirals out of control.
https://www.doubledown.news/watch/2022/january/11/the-tipping-point-that-will-de
It strikes me that our entire social, economic and political system is very much like that. We've been ramping up technological consumerism using cheap developing world labour, watching the population increase and demand more and squeezing as much of the wealth as possible up to the top of the tree, whilst pushing the costs as far into the future as we can. We are now crashing up against that debt-laden future and starting to hit financial and social tipping points, and consequently seeing chaotic politics and privilege-protecting authoritarian crackdowns.
In the same way that we've pissed around pretending to address Climate Change, we've also pissed around trying to maintain a dying socio-economic system. The 2008 bank bailout headed things off for a bit, but just pushed the problems further down the line. The stresses have built up again, and we are where we are now. The equilibrium is seriously threatened now, and societal collapse is a real and imminent possibility, worldwide, not just our fked up country.
Fundamental change is the only sane option. I'm interested in Monbiot's assertion that a 25% minority of committed people can affect change. I hope that a big enough chunk of us older folk can put aside our conditioned belief in growth-consumerism-acquisition and join with a growing number of terrified but brave youngsters and together move the world towards a redistributive, humble, subsistence-focussed existence, which has a chance of social and environmental survival.
edit: 'economic' not 'economical' in the title! [Post edited 24 Oct 2022 9:05]
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| The similarities between our economical and natural environments on 09:07 - Oct 24 with 430 views | Darth_Koont |
Agree totally.
It’s a particularly strong article of faith in the US and UK, but we’ve bought the line/lie that individual liberty is the ultimate goal of economies and societies. I don’t think anyone serious still thinks that’s true.
The health and shared wealth of a society and the environment also has to be taken into account. I think Harari in Sapiens is very good on that and the need for a balance/compromise between liberty and equality which are otherwise at odds. |  |
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| The similarities between our economic and natural environments on 09:34 - Oct 24 with 394 views | WeWereZombies |
It's an interesting video but the trouble with Monbiot is that he either seems to be preaching to the converted or taking on the opposition on the opposition's terms. One thing I would take from it though is the concept of making a visible move, a change in the way you live, so as to influence those around you (as well as having a decent, sustainable and even more enjoyable life for yourself.) |  |
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