Date: Fri, 8 Feb 2008 10:19:21 -0800 (PST)
From: Dieter Brand
I'm not going to defend consumerism, nor am I adverse to
bashing the Monsantos of this World. That is the good fight.
Yet, that economic system, with all its imperfections, is all
we have got. There are changes ahead with the resources
of this planet being as limited as they are. The system will
stay stable as long as it has enough flexibility to adapt to
the changes needed. And if you look into history or at other
cultural spheres you are unlikely to find other models that
provide more flexibility.
I'm always amazed -- and I'm speaking generally about many of my fellow permaculturists here -- at how the so many of the same people who think we can radically and creatively alter the way we eat, drink, live, work, and relate to the Earth are often paradoxically willing to throw up their hands at politics and economics, making oddly definitive claims about how capitalism, corporatism, or any other aspect of business-as-usual is "just the way it is" or "all that we've got" or "here to stay". It's really interesting (and at times frustrating) to see such extremely conservative notions finding widespread acceptance among an otherwise farsighted and "big picture"-oriented movement.
- David
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