A Brief Glimpse into the New Paradigm of Economics

            The ways in which humans are perceiving and thinking about the planet are constantly evolving...hopefully for the good!  Few domains of thought are left out of this continuous evolution and some are in need of Darwinian progress faster than others.  One area of study that could use some sort of time machine is that of economics.  The field, especially in Western society, has become eerily intertwined with politics and the pursuit of democracy.  Furthermore, traditional or neoclassical economic approaches seem outdated in their respect for the earth's true carrying capacity.  While so-called environmental economics has evolved as a subset of neoclassical thought, this mode also falls short of accounting for finite supplies of resources on the planet.  Ecological economics, on the other hand, has truly distanced itself from its academic predecessors and begins to address some of the core planetary issues facing the world today.

Remembrance as a Vehicle Towards Sustainability

I would like to discuss the implications of repression and remembrance on sustainability. I believe these two opposing, psychological characteristics represent aspects of our society that may be overlooked when it comes to looking through the lens of sustainability.

Since the dawn of mankind, I would argue that humans have gone down a path of repressing their emotions and feelings, rather than remembering them. I believe evidence to support this theory may be found in some of the earliest agrarian cultures, perhaps in even earlier civilizations. In response to changing climactic conditions that affected crop production, it is likely that our ancestors began to view natural forces as an opposition to their survival. Furthermore, I pose that these emotions helped to begin laying the foundation for the current world view that man is separate from nature. The possibility that humans began repressing these emotions as a way of reconciling the unknown weather conditions is quite possible, though ostensible.

A ReEmergence. . .of Sorts

     So where have I been you might ask?  Or not!  Either way, it has been quite some time since I rambled about on the interconnected medium known as the "blog".  While I have thought recently that resuming my blog habits might be a good way to bolster my job search, profess my love and knowledge of all things "green" (well, not all of them), and just seem more hip in general, I have to admit that it was actually watching the movie "Julia and Julia" that pushed me inspired over the edge of procrastination.

     Yes, it's true...signing up for a cable TV subscription in order to watch my beloved Red Sox has resulted in a chivalrous compromise, bringing me ever closer to the world of "Chick Flicks".  And yet, being a closet Iron Chef, I found myself engaged in the movie long enough to resonate with the main character's dilemma.