Old Story, New Story

Our civilisation is driven by an Old Story.  It goes like this ...

• The most important thing is money.
• Material consumption leads to happiness.
• Economic growth and the increase in GDP is essential for wealth, jobs and therefore happiness.
• Technological improvement is a key factor in economic growth.
• Poverty is a consequence of laziness.
• Humans are – by nature – competitive individuals.
• Competition is essential for invisible hand of the free market which drives up wealth and well-being for all.
• A person’s wealth is an indication of their importance.
• A corporation’s wealth is also an indication of its importance.
• In law a corporation is a person, and has the same rights as a person (some say more).
• Because corporations provide employment and wealth, it is the job of governments to support corporations.
• Governments prefer representative democracy which limits popular influence to once every five years.
• Economic inequality and environmental destruction are seen as regrettable but necessary consequences.
• It is the job of governments to play down economic inequality and environmental destruction.
• There is no alternative to economic growth and technological driven free market economics.

But it doesn't have to be like this.  There is another story - a New Story -  that we can live by:

• Humans are living beings part of a living universe.
• The most important thing is the totality of life … and love.
• Money is merely a device to maximise exploitation of resources, and undermines community.
• The route to happiness is through the wealth of nature and community.
• Humans are – by nature – cooperative, and thrive best within a living community.
• Cooperation is essential for sustaining life.
• Deep connection to nature and to other people is a key element of our physical and mental well-being.
• Violence, greed and ruthless competition are an indication of a dysfunctional society.
• Economic inequality and environmental destruction are the tell-tale signs of a world that cannot survive.
• Human institutions – whether business, government or civil society – are designed to support all people in a healthy and meaningful life.
• Environmental sustainability, economic justice and participative democracy are inseparable and essential for a vibrant world.

With more people living and breathing the New Story, it is possible to imagine that a new world is not that far away ... as Arundhati Roy said “Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.”