“’Winners’ acknowledge the negative as well as the positive possibilities of tomorrow, but believe that we have considerable power to determine which possibilities are realized,” defines Tom Lomardo in The Futurist: Thinking Ahead. Pessimism and optimism are key in determining the outcome of our futures and determining our stories, according to the psychologist. The current chapter in the story of mankind’s reign over Mother Nature is a dim one. We are now called to visioneer the future of a sustainable world, and it calls each of us to realize we are “winners” with the ability to do so.
By the year 2050, I expect to the people of the world to have taken hold of their story so that it may continue. We have created a highly interconnected world that is highly dependent on natural resources to sustain it. The ever-increasing consumerism is driven by industry’s desire to sell more and they consequently feed off each other; thus both the consumer and the producer at a fault for this pattern. I believe by 2050 there will be a different kind of connection between consumer and producer, one of consciousness for the triple bottom line – people, profit, planet. This will require a sense of efficiency of resources, appreciation of community, and working with the planet instead of against it. One must come to believe in a finite physical planet to understand efficiency need. Poverty and environmental degradation of people’s homelands must be connected to instill a sense of community. We must begin to model our operations similar to nature by using renewable resources and only producing waste that can be reused.
According to Durning in Limiting Consumption, what is lacking is the practical knowledge and what it means to “meet current needs without jeopardizing the prospects of future generations.” Main factors holding society back from sustainability is the lack of widespread knowledge on the concerning issues and a world marked by indifference, indecision, status quo, and a lack of vision, according to Kim and Oki in Visioneering. Conveying a new vision for the future, contrary to the consumption based one at present, can be communicated through the existing power of the advertising industry Duning references We must reorient the message to condone one of permanence and remember “We do not inherent the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” (Kim and Oki)
Hi, Brittney! Your blog is well written and integrates the course materials nicely. You have a great start to your mid-term paper! You have a identified a number of characteristics around the 3 P's. You might consider organizing your paper in this way. Use your chosen book and other required sources now to flesh these out and support your ideas. In terms of mental modes, consider how things like an appreciation of community might be fostered: what needs to be in it for me to support this visit, to appreciate community? What do I need to believe to support this? One thing I see missing in your blog this week is a personal reflection on your own future consciousness?
ReplyDeleteBrittney,
ReplyDeleteGood start to your visioneering. Could you talk more about if you believe that connection to ones community can be done at a global scale. Where does regionalism fit into your vision? Does it at all? Have a good day!
Dr. Armstrong,
ReplyDeleteI believe my concept of future consciousness is one of obligation. Having studied the environmental degradation taking place and how it affects humans, I've become a realist in that aspect. I am committing my life to promoting a conscious lifestyle through my retail store and also on a personal level through every day choices.
Josh, I think that by committing on a local scale we move closer towards global community ultimately.
Hi Brittney, good post this week. You seem like you have a good handle on this subject and for the beginning of your paper. Do you believe that by the year 2050 we will be anywhere close to resembling a global community?
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