I don’t usually miss the city. But I did Tuesday night. Tuesday night VanCity sponsored an evening with Paul Hawken. Paul is a co-author of Natural Capitalism, a book which changed quite dramatically the way I see things . It is, in effect, a how-to on sustainability. And more.
H.L. Lovins, Amory Lovins and Paul Hawken (of the Rocky Mountain Institute) wrote the book in the last years of the 20th century (1999, I believe) and it basically describes how Capitalism can ‘adjust’ to become more natural and sustainable. And ‘healing and constructive’ in some kind of holistic way. Ya hafta read it.
It is more than just theory and lofty ideas, though. Ray Anderson of Interface Corporation modelled the principles of Natural Capitalism by way of his carpet business and the story is just plain magic. Huge success. Virtually 100% recyclables. Happy workers. Life is good. Brilliant.
Still, business success in carpets is not quite magic enough for most people. I understand.
But Hawken also predicted the Occupy movement and the Arab Spring years before the thought of occupying Wall Street had even crossed the minds of the Canadian ad-busters who dreamt it up when the timing was right. Hawken is prophetic. Practically speaking, he is a bona fide Edgar Cayce for our times.
I asked a few friends to attend his talk for me. R reported back that it was illuminating and educational. And more. I suspect that he is a convert. J wants to know how we convert more people to the ideas she heard that night. She is more than a convert, she is a torch-carrier.
And, I am afraid, so am I. Read Natural capitalsim. Learn about Ray Anderson. Read Blessed Unrest (Hawken’s latest book) and get to know Paul Hawken. You don’t have to quit your job, send money or joing a cult. Just read a book. It is really the way the world is changing and I just wanted you to know.
Our Off the Grid Home 
The market is a mechanism that has some virtues, but it is the major source of deprivation and waste in the world at the moment, because the market makes sure that scarce resources go to the rich. Why is more than 100-million hectares of Third World land growing export crops, and not food for hungry people? Precisely because market forces are allowed to determine what’s grown on that land and who benefits from it.
LikeLike
Good point. Don’t disagree completely. It’s just that greed seems to be a part of us and ‘the market’ gives that weakness a place to manifest. I think it is a matter of management, control, discipline, ‘moderation in all things’. “Let the Force out, Luke!” said Darth Vader. “Use the Force, master Luke”, said Yoda. The difference is subtle but it’s there. Personally, I think a little ‘hunger-in-the-belly’ is creative. But obesity is a disorder.
But what the hell do I know? I watch Star Wars!
LikeLike
Futurology has become something of a capitalist growth industry involving not only those who respect existing property relations but many who do not. The various social movements are particularly affected by the frame of mind that sets out ideals—a pollution-free environment, racial/gender/ethnic equality, an end to hunger, durable peace, etc.—before making any analysis of the encompassing capitalist system, and then offering highly charged moral solutions that blithely ignore what would have emerged from such an analysis.
Monthly Review B. Ollman
LikeLike
“A revolution is not a dinner party!”
LikeLike