The end of growth?

**avgas** · 3rd May 2011, 11:18

I measured myself today. I have grown 4 cm in the last year. But I certainly don't feel like I have money.

Perhaps this is a horizontal growth economy. As I am no fatter than I was last year.

**Brett** · 3rd May 2011, 15:03

Originally Posted by Usarka

Time for an enlightenment period away from materialistic consumption, we can still have growth and wealth but we need to get away from choosing to throw our hard earned dollars on tvs, cars, stereos, clothes etc.

Imagine for example if everybody went out once a week to a concert, restaurant, theatre show, museum etc etc. The country would be buzzing.

At the moment we sit at home wearing trendy $150 t-shirts that cost $3 to make having spent the afternoon buying a new bread-pressure-rice-blender that's now sitting in the cupboard ulikely to get used, and knock back piss that we bought at the supermarket and watch reality TV all night on our 52 inch LCD thinking how wealthy we are.

PS - peak oil: someone on nat radio the other day suggested oil should be subsidised so we use the remaining stuff up quicker, thereby creating immediate incentive to develop a sustainable alternative. Top thinking that.

Pretty much agree with all of this.

I worked the same thing out in my own head when we were living in Malta for a few months.
- Had no car, used bus transport.
- Cooked easy meals at home and had about a meal out every day.
- Had 4 t-shirts, 2 jeans, 4 shorts, 2 pairs of shoes, 2 jumpers plus undies and socks.
- Spent recreational time visiting historical sights, diving and chilling by the beach.
- Lived in a 3 bedroom apartment with 2 others flatmates.
- Bought all goods from small local grocers , general produce produced locally (quality not as good as NZ).
- Went to anther european country every 3 weeks or so for a long weekend.

Was hands down THE BEST time I have had.

Did I miss:

- My flash house
- My bike (ok...a little)
- My flash car
- Wardrobe full of clothes
- All my little gadgets that I seldom used (except ipod which I had)

The answer is no. I realised that I was happier with LESS. Having few possessions to worry about and focusing on enjoying the immediate moment left me with a sincere feeling of peace. Now, having been back in NZ for a few years slowly but surely I have transitioned back into a material based lifestyle and losing sight of the things that matter and the level of stress associated with such a lifestyle has increased.
I think that a simpler life is a happier life, but of course it is a balance.

**mashman** · 7th May 2011, 20:55

Originally Posted by rainman

'Twould be here. RSA do those cool RSAnimate presentations... dunno if you have seen one, well worth a look if not.Their 21st Century Enlightenment one is a good place to start.

He didn't take on the bankers though

Heh, Nigel brings up the banks, a few mutters, next question please

Wasn't too bad of a listen and the two 16 yr olds question bring the whole thing home for me. Paraphrased to "When should we take over the mantle of worry for the planet. What steps can we take." Heh, there's just too many noy my problem people, so they leave the problems to someone else. And as DA mentions, Steps aren't good enough any more and the only way to change things is via education and talking about the "taboo's".

It's a shame that these people of influence are only presidents of "benign" associations that oversee funding. Unfortunately that is a huge problem, and one I think they need to address before they can have that full and frank discussion over population.

Funding all the way to the bank as Nigel put it. Someone has to go first. This cannot be done in steps, although the rest od the world needs to watch someone else first. Why do I say that? Just look at some of the commentary on here when I mention the Resource Based Economy. Where has that ever happened? Who's tried that before? etc... people want proof that the system will work, yet won't be part of that "experiment"... and they they go and vote whp to leave these decisions up to and we end up with another batch of useless cunts with even less of an idea of humanity.

And the prevaling excuse? Human nature won't allow it. Outfuckinstanding. Anyone who truly thinks that human nature is the problem, has absolutely no concept of what human nature really is. My nature is dictated by the circumstance I find myself in at the time. You'd be insane to think any differently, it has nothing to do with my nature, or my instincts.

**Winston001** · 8th May 2011, 00:35

Originally Posted by mashman

...Just look at some of the commentary on here when I mention the Resource Based Economy. Where has that ever happened? Who's tried that before? etc... people want proof that the system will work, yet won't be part of that "experiment"...

Anyone who truly thinks that human nature is the problem, has absolutely no concept of what human nature really is. My nature is dictated by the circumstance I find myself in at the time.

Tried your experiment? I have two words for you: North Korea.

**mashman** · 8th May 2011, 01:32

Originally Posted by Winston001

Tried your experiment? I have two words for you: North Korea.

Do North Korea have a financial system? Because if it does, the "experiment" hasn't been tried.

I was meaning a "Western" civilisation trying it, one that is currently heavily bound by a financial system. There will, no doubt, be tribes around the world who live using a Resource Based Economy approach, and have survived that way for millenia.