Good article, thanks. You briefly make the point that people’s investments influence the need to use existing investment. Which takes us back to the basic problem of the growth model…people want more money just because they have money. They don’t have time to investigate the impacts of how their money makes money (and even ‘ethical’ funds are not without negative impact). We have few examples of how to escape our impossible perpetual growth machine…how is it possible to make wise choices re future food infrastructure when the wisest choice is minimal processing but that doesn’t make any new money?
Yeah, one could argue that the "impossible perpetual growth machine" is really the beating heart of all this. It's the reason why big infrastructure must keep running and why companies tend to lock themselves into old, proven business models, even if they're not optimal for people and planet. There's a lot to fix in the food and ag system, but if I had a magic wand and could change just one thing, overhauling the perpetual growth machine is probably the first domino to tip over on the way to tackling so many other challenges. Thanks for your comment!
I don't think it's hard for people to grasp per se. Rather, I think they either don't think about it or refuse to accept the consequences of ending perpetual growth because it might mean they have to accept a downgrade in their lifestyle.
In fact, I'd say the economy is "addicted" to "infinite growth" and telling people that infinite growth is a foolish idea is akin to telling an alcoholic that drinking is bad for you.
Even if you could wave the magic wand and end the perptual growth machine, how would you sell to the masses the fact that their retirement accounts and stock portfolios are just going to level off and not continue to appreciate? I think there's a lot of people who would literally riot.
I think people are naturally biased toward their own well-being and are always going to aspire to growing wealthier, not getting poorer. I agree with you that the perpetual growth machine is a problem, but I have not yet figured out a way to get the masses to accept that we should not have it exist.
This is definitely one of the biggest, messiest problems of our time.
Good article, thanks. You briefly make the point that people’s investments influence the need to use existing investment. Which takes us back to the basic problem of the growth model…people want more money just because they have money. They don’t have time to investigate the impacts of how their money makes money (and even ‘ethical’ funds are not without negative impact). We have few examples of how to escape our impossible perpetual growth machine…how is it possible to make wise choices re future food infrastructure when the wisest choice is minimal processing but that doesn’t make any new money?
Yeah, one could argue that the "impossible perpetual growth machine" is really the beating heart of all this. It's the reason why big infrastructure must keep running and why companies tend to lock themselves into old, proven business models, even if they're not optimal for people and planet. There's a lot to fix in the food and ag system, but if I had a magic wand and could change just one thing, overhauling the perpetual growth machine is probably the first domino to tip over on the way to tackling so many other challenges. Thanks for your comment!
Why do you think the inherent problem with perpetual growth is such a hard concept for most people to grasp?
I don't think it's hard for people to grasp per se. Rather, I think they either don't think about it or refuse to accept the consequences of ending perpetual growth because it might mean they have to accept a downgrade in their lifestyle.
In fact, I'd say the economy is "addicted" to "infinite growth" and telling people that infinite growth is a foolish idea is akin to telling an alcoholic that drinking is bad for you.
Even if you could wave the magic wand and end the perptual growth machine, how would you sell to the masses the fact that their retirement accounts and stock portfolios are just going to level off and not continue to appreciate? I think there's a lot of people who would literally riot.
I think people are naturally biased toward their own well-being and are always going to aspire to growing wealthier, not getting poorer. I agree with you that the perpetual growth machine is a problem, but I have not yet figured out a way to get the masses to accept that we should not have it exist.
This is definitely one of the biggest, messiest problems of our time.
That’s a clear and honest synopsis. Made me laugh though the situation is anything but funny.