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MF-3735877

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Member Since: 7/2011  Last Seen: 5/17/2012

Clinging to economic growth suffocates the imagination | Andrew Simms | Environment | guardian.co.uk

Seeded on Thu Feb 2, 2012 6:27 PM EST
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Seeded by mf-3735877
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Good article on the limits to growth.

Clinging to growth, however, suffocates the imagination needed to devise more convivial ways to share a finite planet. At the very least, and with so much evidence to the contrary, the burden of proof now lies heavily on those who reject the original message of the Limits report, for them to demonstrate how, and under what circumstances, we could possibly enjoy "growth forever" in a finite world. Kenneth Boulding, the founder of general systems theory, thought this to be a view held only by "madmen and economists".

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mf-3735877

Politicians and corporations are forever claiming we need economic growth and using that as an excuse to commit environmental and societal atrocities. It's a crock and there are many smart people out there working on sustainable economics. We can either decide to embrace sustainability or party our way to a major collapse.

We may not like gravity but we can't float.

    Reply#1 - Thu Feb 2, 2012 6:34 PM EST
    ambivalent

    ...the burden of proof now lies heavily on those who reject the original message of the Limits report, for them to demonstrate how, and under what circumstances, we could possibly enjoy "growth forever" in a finite world. Kenneth Boulding, the founder of general systems theory, thought this to be a view held only by "madmen and economists".

    It would also help if we would stop making so many babies.

      Reply#2 - Thu Feb 2, 2012 7:34 PM EST
      mf-3735877

      Limiting population has to be the most important thing we can do to avoid a horrible collapse. It amazes me and frustrates me because that should be obvious and easy. Have less kids and love the ones you have more. Don't have more and more and doom them to war over dwindling resources.

      Educate and empower poor women is key but our fanatic religious right obstructs that because of the abortion issue. If we helped prevent unwanted pregnancies there would be less abortions but they don't see it that way. And if we improved health care and social safety nets in developing countries women wouldn't have more kids just for insurance.

      BTW - Did you see the story about how Japan's population will soon start declining about a million people per year? Their politicians think it's a crisis but I feel it's necessary and manageable.

        #2.1 - Thu Feb 2, 2012 7:46 PM EST
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