A Question of Direction

In what direction do we move
to achieve the sort of world we want?

There are two options offered by different sectors of society:

A) Economic Expansion
Proponents argue that people express their will through how they spend their money. Free markets will shape the future through the laws of supply and demand. The greatest good is achieved by expanding economic activity; earning more and consuming more. The more money that changes hands, the better off society is.

B) Sustainability
looks into the future with concern for generations yet unborn. Ecological laws of resource availability and the ability of the biosphere to absorb waste are respected. The goal is to manage our affairs in ways that strengthen community cohesion and the health of the natural world. Our purpose is to maintain healthy secure livelihoods for all and to celebrate learning, love, laughter and other benefits of being human on a fine planet.

Would policies based on sustainability provide for human need as effectively as those presently serving economic expansion?

A great deal depends on which value public policy is based on:

- It determines the way in which tax money and public lands are used.
- It established a standard against which citizens weigh their own value systems.

Other advantages of asking people to consider this choice.

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Why we will succeed

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Another way to look at the Question of Direction.

One Hand or the Other

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The problem with measuring progress by gross production & consumption.

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Join with us in asking: What kind of future do we want?

• Consider the options yourself.
  - Does it make more sense to base decisions on expanding economic activity or on increasing sustainability?
  
  
• Ask others what they think.
  - Present the basic question of direction to people you know. How do their views compare with yours?
  - Sustainability cards provide a convenient way of introducing the question.
  Please note that many people think sustainability is the better option but don't think there is any chance of changing. Ask them, and yourself, to think just for a moment that it is possible.
  There is a strategy behind the question.
  Other materials are available to help raise and clarify the question of direction.
  
  
• Encourage more people to consider the options.
  - Distribute sustainability cards, as shown in the link above, or customized with details for your particular activities. Cards are available from us with distribution boxes at cost or less.

- Organize an event. The following are suggestions for initiating discussion. You may have other ideas. We encourage you to try them. 7th Generation Initiative is willing to discuss any such options with you and to help in any way we can.

Life, Money & Illusion; a Do-It Yourself discussion.

Recipes for Debate Preamble

Stimulating Discussions in Communities

Stimulating Discussions on Campus
- Put articles in community papers:

Cutbacks Based on Mistaken Premis,

Cause for Wonder and Concern.

Save the Seas, the Land and Ourselves.

Ask us for new material.

• Become a member.
  
  
• Coordinate activities with us.
  - Any action that draws attention to the Question of Direction reinforces any other action, whether or not we ever make direct contact. However, by establishing contact and coordinating our activities, we can increase the extent to which the Question can be raised with the general public.
• News of any public event can be used to draw attention to the Question in other communities. General interest in the topic grows as more people consider the goals of society. Please let us know if you are planning an event or distributing cards. You may be able to advance your work with news from others. We can certainly report your efforts to interest people elsewhere.
  
  
• Co-sponsorship of A Question of Direction.
  - If you feel reviewing the goals of society is in order, or just that the discussion would be interesting and informative, please send us a statement of your support or a resolution of support from your organization.
  
  
• Make a donation.
  - If you would like to see the Question of Direction publicly discussed and answered, consider providing some money for coordinating the effort. Staff time, communications and the provision of explanatory materials all cost money. There is lots of cooperative interest in Inviting Debate, but our outreach is frequently limited by lack of funds. Donations made out to the "WFF - Sustainability Project" will receive charitable receipts for income tax purposes in Canada.
  
  - Ask us about other possibilities including automatic monthly contributions. Regular contributions, even small ones, enable long-term planning of program activities. They can assure that the Question of Direction is pursued until a public reckoning comes about.

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It is Possible

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world, indeed it's the only thing that ever has."


• Margaret Mead

Without a great deal of money or the use of violence, the only power available to citizens with the capacity to effect change in society is the power of our collective will. This power effects change through popular notions of good and bad and through the democratic process.

A vast majority of people will agree that sustainability should be our goal. The greatest single obstacle is the feeling that it is not possible to choose a new direction. This feeling can change. A key purpose of Inviting Debate is to make visible the extent to which people favour sustainability. When we recognize the extent of our majority, we will demand, expect and implement change.

It is our right to determine the goals of society. Our taxes make government possible, our labours build and operate the systems of society and our purchasing of goods and services give life to corporations.

The illusion that perpetual expansion is the only choice is created by mass media. Mass media is almost entirely dependent on advertising revenue and is therefor biased in favour of the production-consumption spiral. Furthermore, it is expensive to own mass media. It's ownership, therefore, tends to be in the hands of the small wealthy portion of the population, one group that clearly benefits from economic expansion. Through control of mass media, their world view is promoted far in excess of their proportion of the population. This is why it is so important to raise the issue directly with others; to experience first hand that what the media says is not what people feel.

Without the cooperation of mass media, it is more difficult to stimulate public discussion. It is possible, however. Through our friends, family, clubs, associations and other citizens' networks, we can reach the entire population. It is not as easy as passing 10 million dollars to an advertising firm and telling them to sell the issue. It takes more personal involvement, but enjoys higher credibility. The Sustainability Project and Inviting Debate exist to provide materials and suggestions for how to raise the issue of direction through such channels. If you have ideas for getting people involved is such a discussion, we'd like to hear them.

Let us send you an introductory packet of materials to try out. You will see they work and see that there is hope for changing direction. Just contact sustain5 [at] web.ca with your request and address and the packet will follow.

This Question of Direction has been proposed to the Green Party of Canada as a Campaign Strategy.

Living on Earth
as if we
want to stay

Life, Money
& Illusion