So people have known since the 70s that economics isn't the be-all and end-all, and that there are other ways of running our societies, as if people m...moreSo people have known since the 70s that economics isn't the be-all and end-all, and that there are other ways of running our societies, as if people mattered rather than just economic growth? But we're still here in this economic growth at all costs situation? That's kind of depressing.
Certainly some of the information and views here are a bit dated. But for the most part it's an incredibly insightful read and seems a precursor to the current field of ecological economics. Once you have seen the light it's hard to imagine how others don't notice that our economy is based on natural resources and that without them we wouldn't even have an economy or concept of economics. Further, Schumacher makes the case that economics should be the means to the ends of increased human satisfaction (and that of all lifeforms really). You know, economics as if people mattered. Sigh. Really if people have known this since the 70s it boggles the mind as to why it hasn't yet changed. This was the focus of Part 1: The Modern World and I couldn't agree more with this entire section.
Part 2: Resources I found a bit harder to wrap your head around as plenty of these concepts were not as well defined or were more relevant to the 70s (Nuclear Energy - Salvation or Damnation? for example). But the sentiment was still there - education and knowledge being the greatest resource, using land appropriately as well as technology, and specifically that technology is a tool and should be used accordingly rather than just used because it can be.
Part 3: The Third World was even stickier, but again had some very clear insight into how the developing world requires first and foremost the right knowledge and education. I was particularly impressed with the call for intermediate technology. It has always been a big ask for these regions to leapfrog the industrial revolution - technologically and behaviourally - and intermediate technology is just the answer. To provide the tools and information required to be more efficient and improve conditions, but at a level that can be implemented by these societies. I think that there are plenty of examples around now of how this is happening. So at least in that there is a positive result.
Part 4: Organization and Ownership is no less than an entirely alternate economic system for the first world. One that I will need to review a few more times to fully grasp, but certainly an improvement to the current one. The suggestions are for different methods of organisation and ownership that no longer put the dollar first and consider the benefits to society as a whole.
As someone trained in marketing as the exchange of value, getting to the bottom of the question "why" is of upmost importance. And the ultimate answer is to increase happiness and human satisfaction. Schumacher here tries to adapt how economic theory could strive for this ultimate goal. Something that it should have been doing all along if we hadn't crossed our wires somewhere along the way and mixed up the means with the ends.
A collection of accounts of Canadian green entrepreneurs - organizations and individuals in the business of making Canada and the world more sustainab...moreA collection of accounts of Canadian green entrepreneurs - organizations and individuals in the business of making Canada and the world more sustainable. Industries of focus include forestry water, electricity, transport, oil and food/soil. Some interesting businesses and hopefully they keep going and move the rest of industry with them. All the while, despite some of these promising examples, Canada lags behind when it comes to a true green revolution. And honestly, these examples weren't as meaty as I'd hoped, but some good information here nonetheless.(less)
The other review/er hit the nail on the head. And more succinctly then my more lengthy review. Disappointing, and the writing so zealous that it just...moreThe other review/er hit the nail on the head. And more succinctly then my more lengthy review. Disappointing, and the writing so zealous that it just left a sour taste in your mouth rather than any informative or positive effect.
Admittedly, I didn't know much about the book or author before reading and on the surface it looked interesting. Even some of the points made in the book were interesting and I feel worthwhile - to find the most effective solution for end goals by focusing on them rather than the means. But the disdain shown for government here just reminds me of the Family Guy episode "Tea Peter." And the fact that O'Toole works for the Cato Institute that is funded in part by Shell, Exxon and Chevron among others, and also disputes climate change, really shines a light on why perhaps he might be advocating for more roads and cars as the solution to congestion and other transport related problems.
Further, possibly the most frustrating point that I found, was the fact that O'Toole seems to disagree that transport should consider anything other than specific transport related goals of reducing congestion, reducing transport related pollution and energy use, increasing transport safety etc. While these are all important goals, and probably the most relevant when planning transport, transport exists in an ecosystem and wider economy and community - and other interrelations must be considered. This neo-classical economist stance is outdated - the invisible hand does not work, first of all because there are too many externalities not considered in our current economies. But also because it does not consider that an economy exists within the wider world and that is vital to maintain in order to maintain an economy.
I must admit, it was interesting however to read something that differs so considerably from my own point of view. This is because I subscribe to the scientific method as defined in Wikipedia:
"The scientific method (or simply scientific method) is a body of techniques for investigating phenomena, acquiring new knowledge, or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.[1] To be termed scientific, a method of inquiry must be based on empirical and measurable evidence subject to specific principles of reasoning.[2] "
So I'm open to listening to others in order to correct any previous knowledge I may have had or thought I had - but that is dependent on the new information being empirical and having measurable evidence subject to principles of reasoning. If you're not looking at things from a whole system perspective, I find it hard to see the reason and empirical evidence without taking it with a healthy grain of salt.
If you read this book, you should do the same.(less)
What I thought was going to be a profile of organizations working towards sustainability was so much more. A set of guidelines and a prescription for...moreWhat I thought was going to be a profile of organizations working towards sustainability was so much more. A set of guidelines and a prescription for how organizations, businesses, workers can make change and induce more sustainable practices for business.
Put a face and name to the method of thinking that I choose over all others - systems thinking (seeing the whole) and provides tools and step by step instructions as to how individuals and groups can implement systems thinking within their organizations.
Overall the premise is simple, 3 basic rules to developing sustainable business for the world post the Industrial Age bubble: first to implement systems thinking, second to collaborate across boundaries, and third to move from problem solving to creating. Three easy concepts and useful ones at that - being able to see the whole is vital to sustainability and any survival of any system or issue, working with people across boundaries recognizes the importance of collaboration and how interconnected we all our (people and ecosystems alike), while moving from fixing a problem to creating a desirable future is a positive and aspirational step that helps motivate people in the right direction. I love these 3 steps and the book explores them more in depth and provides further tools to help others to implement them.
A must read for anyone who wants to make change and recognizes that no business is sustainable if we cannot sustain life on our planet. (less)
Some amazing profiles of amazing people doing what they can to grab and save wild land for the sake of the planet and life's continued existence. Int...more Some amazing profiles of amazing people doing what they can to grab and save wild land for the sake of the planet and life's continued existence. Interesting and inspiring and beautifully written. A joy to read. Chomping at the bit even more now to follow in their footsteps. Even if only a pale shadow of what they have been able to do.(less)
The seminal work on ecological footprinting, Our Ecological Footprint is a great starter on the concept and how ecological footprint analysis can help...moreThe seminal work on ecological footprinting, Our Ecological Footprint is a great starter on the concept and how ecological footprint analysis can help us move towards a more sustainable future. Ecological footprint analysis (EF) "estimates the resource consumption and waste assimilation requirements of a defined human population or economy in terms of a corresponding productive land area" (p9).
While the model explained in the book has a lot of limits, these are acknowledged and ecological footprinting is promoted as an analytical tool, model or aid. A tool to help educate people (and businesses and governments) on how actions affect the natural capital and resources of the planet and it's carrying capacity. Illustrating how much we are using those resources and whether those uses are fair compared to the rest of the Earth's populations (fair Earthshare), and whether they are within carrying capacity limits. Further, with more research, work and technology the EF method can (and has) become more encompassing - making it an even better tool when it comes to sustainability thinking.
I was surprised at the extent to which the model was rooted within ecological economics - but I guess that is the point of all sustainability thinking, that everything on this planet is interrelated and cannot be separated.
Overall - a great starting point for EF which is a great analytical tool for modelling how humans can live sustainably on the Earth.(less)
An amazing book with brilliant insight into how the human mind has evolved to respond to short term and immediate challenges and thus is unsuitable fo...moreAn amazing book with brilliant insight into how the human mind has evolved to respond to short term and immediate challenges and thus is unsuitable for the world we have affected - with it's dangerous long range and long term consequences. Ornstein and Ehrlich summarise it best themselves:
We have made two observations over and over again in this book. The first is that the world is an increasingly dangerous place, and many of its new dangers are not instantaneously obvious. The second is that our reactions to the modern world are often inappropriate because of the nature of our minds and the training we give them. This mismatch threatens the destruction of civilisation. pp 189-190
This book is so relevant to today that I can hardly believe it was published in 1989. Just goes to show that intelligent and aware people, as well as the scientific community, have known for quite some time that we are pushing our world to the brink unsustainably. This book explains exactly why, however, most people are not acting to stop their destruction. It's the same principles as the news media - "a fly in the eye is more interesting than a flood in China".
The best thing about New World New Mind is that it offers some solutions and suggestions as to how we can retrain our minds (and culture) to acknowledge and act on the information we now have - of how our actions have long term effects. Education is key, but this is also more of a long term plan itself. More immediately they suggest increasing public debate and awareness of the issues - and most importantly, to do so in ways that engage the old mind. Rather than just stats they suggest appealing emotionally and personally to people (a hot topic among sustainability advocates today). Another tactic suggested is to change what is viewed as "news" and/or to make the stats and information that surround climate change, social injustice, overpopulation, inequality and other sustainability topics into "news" - frame those topics in a "newsworthy" way. And of course, promoting the idea that progress does not necessarily mean growth.
Having only recently shed my own narrow minded thinking - that the world as I know it is exactly as it has and always will be - and started to really see that the Earth and its ecosystems cannot support life if humans continue to live in this way, New World New Mind gave a voice and scientific background to what I have experienced - an epiphany of New Mind thinking. I think that everyone would benefit from reading this book and becoming more aware of our mind's limitations. Reading it certainly helps to open the mind, which will in turn help us to make the world a better place and save it from ourselves.(less)
DATA IS EVERYTHING! Levitt approaches economics the way it should be - a study of numbers and systems to make sense of the world. Not the other way ar...moreDATA IS EVERYTHING! Levitt approaches economics the way it should be - a study of numbers and systems to make sense of the world. Not the other way around (the way many economists do) - predicting how the world will work based on theory. I guess it's the same gripe I have about marketing - a few (or many) bad apples have ruined the reputation of the bunch.
Essentially this IS marketing - using data to discover what is going on and analyze it. Levitt looks at some interesting questions - outside of standard "economics" - and works out how to answer them rather than just theorize on them. That is, with data. (Which is what I love to do as a marketer!! - maybe I should be an economicst instead.) From crime rates falling to the effect parents really have on their children's well being and future - the data never lies, even if it resists conventional wisdom or normal societal thought.
This is what economics should be. Can't believe it's taken me this long to read it and can't wait to get into the next one.
Highly highly recommended for anyone who looks at the world a bit differently and actually questions things rather than takes them for granted and rote. And actually anyone else too.(less)
Good social commentary on how social media and how it affects business and society as a whole. Presents mostly positive arguments for the effect socia...moreGood social commentary on how social media and how it affects business and society as a whole. Presents mostly positive arguments for the effect social media has for example on people's time (making them more productive and efficient), on consumption (with more transparency and feedback companies must create better products, and particularly for helping people spend their time online more effectively (replacing search and pushing information to users rather than users having to search for too long).
Does touch on a few negative aspects - such as the decrease in face-to-face social skills in society. But my bigger gripe is that Qualman thinks that social media changes the world of marketing and suggests that prior to the social media world marketing departments were just used car salesmen who tried to sell sizzle alone. Unfortunately marketing is viewed this way because of a lot of unsavoury marketers and marketing practices that gave it a bad reputation. But marketing actually is all the things that Qualman says is positive about social media - more information from users, better communication, and improving products and services based on these factors.
Sounds exactly like the facilitation of value exchange - the real 'marketing' which = understanding what is needed in a market or society and what people really need and want, producing said value in a good product or service, communicating what this value is, delivering the value promised and evaluating the whole process to improve it. End rant.(less)
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