Affluence, Softness, Decadence, Extinction
by blogrdocSustainability and “Saving the World”
Tim Ferris just blogged on ‘Green’ Index Funds that are environmentally conscious. He comments that ’saving the world’ is too nebulous and I agree. Starting small is not just the ‘best’ way, it’s the only way. It is the way.
Starting Small: Examples Elsewhere
As a human race, we understand this (hopefully) now more than ever. Look at ‘the slashdot effect’ or ’swarm phenomena’ like bittorrent. What I’m referring to here is that when you add a bunch of small things up, the resulting effect is massive. In the physical sciences, we know that the macroscopically observed phenomena is dictated by what’s going on in the nano-level.
How to “Save the World”
We know the recipe for how a civilization falls: affluence, softness, decadence, extinction. We see this pattern in the United States. Maybe not ‘extinction’, but certainly, as we have grown wealthy as a nation, we have also grown complacent and our competitive edge is shrinking quickly.
So when I say, ‘Run Lean, Pack Light and Stay Hungry’, apparently, this isn’t just a good mantra for daily living: it’s the recipe for a sustainable society!
Affluence, softness, decadence, extinction. - this is definitely going into my mistakes database! (I’m cracking myself envisioning some anthropomorphic person resembling the US or the human race, saying …”Note to self: avoid affluence …”)
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5 Responses to “Affluence, Softness, Decadence, Extinction”
By Sam Crockett on Apr 7, 2008 | Reply
I also saw that in my feeds this morning. I think you and Tim have the right idea. His book, 4 Hour Work Week, has been on my to-read list for sometime. I need to see if my university’s library has it.
As for going green by starting small:
-Stopped buying bottled water a few years ago. Use a water pitcher with a filter instead (dorm faucet water taste horrible).
-Cook all that I can instead of hitting up the prepackaged food, or fast food.
-Started a small garden this weekend. Fresh veggies for the win.
By Chris on Apr 7, 2008 | Reply
“…as we have grown wealthy as a nation, we have also grown complacent and our competitive edge is shrinking quickly…”
This is so true! I see this with the American Youth, they have a sense of entitlement.
I like your post. It’s concise in straight to the point.
By blogrdoc on Apr 7, 2008 | Reply
@Sam: if your univ library doesn’t have it, your local library probably does. I’m with you on the fast foods. Now I actually have *2* solid reasons to cut down on McD’s: fat content and all that damn paper (especially for to-go). I was *horrified* when all I ordered was a cheeseburger and salad to see how much paper was used.
@Chris: I just checked out your blog. Pinoy power, man! I’m 100% flip. thanks for the props and hope that you will subscribe. I have a lot of stuff to say about the ‘motherland’ coming up, especially in May.
Despite how unpopular the US is right now, it cannot be denied that ‘the American dream’ is selling like hotcakes around the world. As other nations grow in wealth and prosperity, they *too* will experience the same problems (affluence, softness, decadence…). The US, with our towering GDP, is just the first contemporary society to get there.
By Rx4Life.info on Apr 8, 2008 | Reply
The cliche, “every journey begins with one step,” is evident here. But we shouldn’t minimize the benefit of having a lofty goal, either.
Can’t we have both affluence and drive?
Tola
By blogrdoc on Apr 8, 2008 | Reply
@Tola: I’m sure it is on a single-person or small group level. But inherently, there is an inertia that develops when the organization gets very large. I used to work for a huge company that had deep deep pockets. Now I work for a small, hungry company. The difference is *astonishing*. I feel lucky to have been able to work for both kinds of organizations and have learned a lot.