Parkland multimedia
2009-11-21 - Joel Magnuson - Beyond Destruction
| Joel Magnusson - 'Beyond Destruction' - main talk | Please turn on Javascript to see the audio players |
30:13 |  |
A/V from the event:
Economic Security, The Problem of Civilization, and Mindful Economics
Nov 21, 2009
Joel Magnuson: Beyond Destruction
Global warming and global economic meltdown are the paramount crises of the 21st century. These crises stem from self-destructive human tendencies that have become institutionalized and are deeply woven into our cultural fabric. Many of us have been aware of worsening ecological and economic conditions for decades, yet current policies directed at dealing with them only succeed in making them worse. Problems of this magnitude cannot be “fixed” any more than we can fix human cultures. The only real, lasting solution is for us to evolve. Getting beyond destruction requires that we consciously evolve our institutions and the cultures within which they are embedded. This also requires wisdom and an elevation of consciousness. The mindful economics movement is an attempt to embark on this evolutionary path where we have the best chance for success and where we can all participate—in our local communities.
Derrick Jensen: Civilization and Resistance
Do you believe this culture will undergo a voluntary transformation to a sane and sustainable way of living? Derrick Jensen has asked this question all over the country, and nobody says yes. His next question: if you don’t believe this culture will undergo a voluntary transformation to a sane and sustainable way of living, and you care about life on this planet, what does that mean for your strategy and tactics? The answer is that we don’t know because we don’t talk about it. Derrick talks about it. He guides us toward concrete solutions by focusing on our most primal human desire: to live on a healthy earth overflowing with uncut forests, clean rivers, and thriving oceans that are not under the constant threat of being destroyed.
Marjorie Cohen: Spending on Capital or on People? The Competing Roles in Recession Responses
Governments across the country are increasing spending for bridges, roads and bailouts for large corporations—all with the intention of getting the economy back on track. But is this the track we should be on? And, will this huge spending make any real difference to economic health? This presentation will explain how Canada has devised its political institutions so that it can ignore meeting the real needs of people. The inability to deal with ‘social reproduction’ as part of economic activity, and a refusal to engage in real planning for the future is likely to prolong the crisis and, worse of all, it will do nothing to shift Canada away from its destructive tendencies.