Is it possible to have a simple and fulfilling life?

It could take a lifetime of study, debate and intellectual deconstruction to design a model that might possibly provide a solution to the current wall we face.
And then you would need a hundred generations to live that new paradigm, to see if it works.
It would not be out of step with reality to say that, unrestrained consumption causes repercussive armageddon. Models of animal population explosion, is followed by resource exhaustion and natural population restabilisation.
I don't think the idea of destruction to allow growth, propounded by the radical social environmental movement is feasible. It smacks of apocalypse theory, and the Orwellian idium of 'War is Peace', and only serves to increase the power of those in 'power' who have a vested interest in nulifying debate through fear. Fear of change, a blackmail of the prepared mental state of people locked into a cycle of consumption. (Identifyable by their lack of interest in our global predicament).
Therefore that leaves the reformists. But how can this a system change which is based on the premise of total hegemony of resources?
I feel perhaps the total uniform possesion of knowledge is one way. The abolition of intellectual property rights, so as to allow smaller nations to develop without being trapped by debt fostered in the guise of loans to assist growth, but with the previso that such money is spent on 1st world technology and companies.
Moreover, some system of abundant, clean energy needs to be universally accessible. This wouldn't solve the problem of over population, however it would provide an alternative to the environmental destruction we current inflict.
I don't know, I just took a notion to write something that has been on my mind too long. I'm interested to know how you see our global situation and what you think are ideas that might provide a solution. Although they may only be ideas, I'm aware that this is a very passive and easy way to extole your views without actually doing anything. But perhaps there's a lesson in first learning what others think.

 

I think I know how you feel.

If you look at the two extremes its pretty scary.

Things could sort themselves out energy wise by bridging with coal and nuclear till Fusion is ready for us. But then what are we doing to the atmosphere and environment for future generations. As well, at best Global warming looks like giving us floods and droughts and storms etc. but at worst could go into a positive feedback loop and we could just burn the planet and kill 95% of the life on it.
Water scarcity is going to cause problems but again to what degree? Our growing population either can't survive or it will kill practically everything else in doing so meaning we cause the sixth mass extinction.

Ultimately we have to live much more of a localised way of life to have a less self destructive effect on our home planet. I would like to see us keep our level of comunication to not lose the knowledge we have aquired in this miraculous growth spurt we have made.

The question is, can this planet support 6 billion, or 8 or 9 billion people? Even if at a lower level of consumption and destructiveness.

I personally would be fulfilled by just having a house and a plot of land and trading within a smaller community but sharing knowledge with a larger world community.

I hope we can do it. If we can't, we've got problems ahead.

 

The idea of localisation you speak of could be useful in terms of energy/community coheasion. Perhaps miniturising our energy grid so that each house produces it's own supply (by use of solar panelled roof tiling etc) and the excess is fed into a communal network. It would put people in touch with one another because they would be active in the support of a wider community. This could have an impact on the mind set of people, by moving them from their 'consumer' status to a 'primary provider' in the chain. Fusion power is indeed very promising. What stage are we at in the present time? I recall an argument between France and Japan about where to build the prototype reactor. (Not an auspitious start!)

What you've mentioned about a 'feed back loop', would be well exemplafied by the breaking of the Atlantic Gulf Stream. It's warm waters I'm sure you are aware, keeping northern Europe out of another ice age. It's ironic that with all the concern about global warming, the eventual reprocussion could be global frosting.

I too would be fulfilled by just having a house and plot of land to cultivate some crops. I wonder how feasible it will become as we homogenise our planet and everything is owned by some group or corporation. To be sure, the sharing of information is paramount. To which I believe the internet to be the single greatest invention of the 20th century, more than cars or air travel, and definately more than TV! The universally acessible depository of knowledge.....it's almost science fiction, but what a legacy it will be. No more burnings of the Library of Alexandria, no more Inquistion purges.

 

fusion reactor site http://www.itercad.org/

 

I think fusion reactors are definitley the way to go and have created the technology for hydrogen cars that could have been on the market ten yers ago if it wasn't for lobbyists. As faras living completley simple I would be miserable, I live for convience and I know that is bad on the enviorment but I like others I value myself over society as a whole.

 

Do you value your immediate convenience over your long term survival? That is the question that many refuse to face today and the time is drawing near when we will have to seriously consider it.

In my view it is the main problem with the Human race.

 

Simplicity isnt fullfilling.

 

Yes it is possible! Check out these forums:
www.simpleliving.net
Lots of helpful insight and people who are living the simple life! I am actually going to be leaving my current very stressful job in order to pursue a simpler more fulfilling life. My current career path will provide a lot more money but I would rather be less stressed out all the time and devote more to volunteer work and making a difference. I really think it will be worth it. Just prepare to get DETACHED to all those material goodies the TV makes you think you can't live without and don't try to "keep up with the Jonses"!:X

 

What is simple and fullfilling is relative...I think personal evolution is essential, not only during our youth, but our whole lives. It is a hard thing to do in our society, which is highly competitive...Full time jobs and competition are, in my opinion, two of the biggest sources of conflicts and even crimes in our society. People just don't have time for themselves...and that's just not sane.

 

no

 

What goldfishbowl42 said is completely true, are you willing to sacrifice your descendants (future generations, right?) futures, just to enjoy yourself?

 

Calm down ! You worry too much. You cant change the world from the outside in. It starts with you, you and your nucleus, your family, your loved ones thats where you can make a change. The greatest impact you can make is by making yourself an example by those that watch you, learn from you. Its a lifelong process so dont get too lost in what the rest of the world is doing, not to imply apathy is a desirable trait but rather realize the difference between what you can and cant change and focus your energies there. Your more important when you stay vital and focused in your own world.