The downsides of comfort and convenience Our economic system is geared to providing ever more convenience and ‘value-added’. Some convenience can certainly be good, but too much convenience is certainly bad. With its promise of comfort and ease, convenience attempts to eradicate all sorts of troubles, irritations and challenges that can help give meaning to … Read more
Not very long ago the majority of people grew vegetables and fruit in their home gardens. It was a valuable part of the household economy. It made practical use of available land and offered a modest level of self-sufficiency, at the least. In some cases, it provided a large proportion of a family’s vegetable needs. … Read more
There are many reasons why people chose lives of sufficiency and voluntary simplicity. People can become slaves to the belief that we need stuff that we don’t really need. The pressures and demands of modern lifestyles are not necessary and can be eschewed for considerable benefit. Many people are making the decision to simplify their … Read more
I strongly encourage you to watch this TEDx talk. It’s a little bit cheeky to have a blog post that is a Youtube video, but I could have banged on for ages like I often do and never have got across what Jon Jandai, a Thai farmer does in 15 minutes so plainly. It’s a powerful … Read more
We say ‘Do more good with less’. ‘Do more with less’ is a catch-cry in the sustainability movement but it is also a catch-cry for businesses who despoil the environment. The point is that doing more with less is fine if what you are doing is good – but what if it’s bad? Modern western economies … Read more
Money, where it comes from and what it can buy, is not everything. In our society, the economy gets way too much attention – in policy-making and political rhetoric, in the media, even in the education system. This is amplified by the unrelenting bombardment of advertising and promotional messages the average person faces every single day. Needless to say, … Read more
It’s all too much! The following list of data* highlights the fact that people in modern economies, like America, have too much stuff. Not only is it more stuff than is needed for a life of well-being, but it is also weighing us down, it is a burden in the true sense of the word. 1. … Read more
What is good for the environment is good for people. Being sustainable has many benefits that will increase peoples’ well-being. Anything you do to reduce your ecological footprint can save money, improve your health, and increase your enjoyment of life. Improve health From walking and biking more to having a sustainable diet with less meat … Read more
In the past, round houses were much more common. Traditional circular shelters include igloos, tipis, African mud brick huts, yurts and British and European roundhouses. They were the shape of choice because they were strong, energy efficient, good for ventilation and air circulation, less vulnerable in strong winds and they used the least amount of … Read more
For many people Christmas is the most stressful time of the year. It shouldn’t be. Yes, Christmas is a traditional time of giving, there’s nothing wrong with that at all. But what are we giving? Ourselves a heart attack, it seems. Christmas advertising seems to start earlier each year. This may not be the case … Read more