DEEP ECONOMY
The Wealth of Communities and the Durable Future
By Bill McKibben
I read the book Deep Economy to write a review for a nonprofit organization called Beyond War. Beyond War teaches guiding principles that anyone can follow to avoid violence. The reason I chose Deep Economy is because I was interested in learning more about how our economy works in the United States. Instead, what I gained from reading was opening my mind to try and understand ideas that teach how a “more is better” system is not necessarily the best solution to happiness. At first this concept was challenging for me accept at face value because I have views that do not negate the existence of capitalism in the least but I learned to ask myself, how much is enough? This book has enabled me to continue seeking my philosophy in life, and I continue to search for a balance in conciliating my own plural ideas as well as the general views of society for my own understanding.
We may not realize that for many of us, our comfortable way of living in the US is in fact causing passive violence in other countries where capitalism drains poorer countries. This is an unfortuante fact that is a reality, not a right or left wing argument. When I use the term passive violence I refer to the kind of violence we sometimes ignore we do such as wasting resources or daily items for example. Imagine how much food is wasted every minute in this country and imagine the people of other countries who would give anything to have the food we waste? This is an example of passive violence. I encourage you to read Deep Economy as a way of expanding your openness to new ideas and to consider that our way of living can improve.
SYNOPSIS
Bill McKibben provides a very opinionated stance on our nation’s current economic system that is supported by research and cultural interactions throughout his travels. In Deep Economy, readers are encouraged to span their thinking beyond our capitalistic way of life that seems to subsist on a system’s path towards growth. Growth is a concept, as McKibben argues, that somehow led a nation to believe that “more is better”. Readers are challenged to think about what more really entails. Does more generate happiness? How much more is enough? Are we consuming too much, perhaps?
Recounting a journey to China, McKibben describes his experiences while interviewing young Chinese factory workers who all shared housing provided by the factory. In one example, he interviewed a young 18 year old girl who worked in a shower curtain factory to save and send money to her parents and younger brother. Because she was able to work, her younger brother was able to attend school.
McKibben asks readers to consider our way of living in this nation and requests that we focus more on humanity rather than materialism. He sets forth the example of Agriculture and compares our nation to other countries. One example is how Cuba managed to continue producing at necessary levels the food required for daily nutrition despite the embargo. Cubans were able to self sustain without importing or exporting major resources or foods. McKibben challenges our nation to depend more on our local farms and shop at farmer’s markets to not only create a better community but to also avoid depending on food conglomerates.
Note: the concepts in this book are the polarized versions of Ayn Rand’s philosophy.
BEYOND WAR GUIDING PRINCIPLES
I would recommend this book as a collection to the Beyond War library because it does discuss violence but in a way uncommon to discourse. Violence is not only physical and non physical but it can be passive as well. Violence is passive when those who are more fortunate than others waste resources or items when so much effort was dedicated to making those items for use. Wasting is also a form of violence that happens because we ignore that the less fortunate would greatly appreciate what the more fortunate take for granted. Waste happens when there is excess. In our nation’s current system, I’m sure we are all guilty of wanting more of something. McKibben challenges us to consider how ‘much more’ is too much and how ‘much more’ is enough?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Take a stab at asking the question McKibben asks of us and…
1. Discuss how you feel you can improve personally to make a difference in the world.
2. Can one person make a difference in the world?
3. Where is the challenge in the idea of wanting more?
4. Do you agree with McKibben’s statement that when growth reaches a certain point, growth simply stops providing satisfaction?
5. Should a nation’s success be measured by monetary growth?
6. What other ways can a nation succeed and what other ways can a nation’s success be measured?
7. Does more equal happiness? How much more, is enough?
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Legacy of Love: an inspiring memoir
by Arun Gandhi
A book filled with knowledge and wisdom.
At last I have been able to read for fun this summer! Reading text books can be great but nothing beats a good book that can open the doors of one’s imagination but more importantly, nothing beats a book that can change a person’s life. I highly recommend for all to read Arun Gandhi’s memoir Legacy of Love: My Education in the Path of Nonviolence.
SYNOPSIS
Arun Gandhi, grandson to the late spiritual and peace political leader Mahatma Ghandi, dedicates a memoir to the teachings he received from his grandfather and parents in an effort to spread a message of peace and nonviolence. The story begins with recounting the racism Mahatma Gandhi faced in South Africa when he was a youth and extends to the experiences Arun himself faced growing up in South Africa under apartheid. Recalling his anger of racism from British colonizers and Africans, Arun reflects on the lessons filled with wisdom his grandfather taught him, teaching Arun how to channel anger in a positive way.
“We receive what we give, When we are disrespectful, suspicious, insulting or violent we will be paid back in the same coin. If we respect others as human beings, we rarely act rashly or irresponsibly toward them, and so we rarely have to say, “I am sorry.” With thoughtfulness and respect for others in the presence of anger, we can channel anger into goodness, and make choices that heal, rather than aggravate, the divisions we encounter” (Gandhi 25).
How to transform anger in a positive way is an important lesson in Legacy of Love, but the central message that inspires hope for peace is that of expressing love for one another and gaining self control in one’s daily actions. If one achieves to love one another than one can achieve “self-enrichment, self-purification and spiritual growth”.
The peaceful reformations Mahatma Gandhi led in his nation, spiritual teachings, and political movements are logical and effective points that one can apply to one’s life daily. This book does not in any way alienate any segment of society because it is inclusive to all spiritual, religious, and peaceful political walks and paths in life. Arun Gandhi writes the memoir very well because he recounts stories and tales from the Hindu faith that can translate and be understood by all religions. Mahatma Gandhi, who educated himself of all religions in search of the “Truth” or the realization of “Self” used a very powerful analogy to reach out to everyone of every philosophy and religion:
“Religion is like climbing a mountain that has just one summit. If we are all going to the same place, why should it matter which side of the mountain one chooses to climb?” (Gandhi 39). This book is very appropriate for a library audience.
On a scale of one to ten, with ten being the best, I would rank this book as ten because it is filled with so much wisdom that can inspire an individual to follow a path to peace and love for all peoples.
The primary goal of the book is to teach love so that violence does not become an option. The words in the book teach more than tolerance of one another, they encourage individuals to learn, respect, and understand one another to make room for love. Where there is love, there is peace. This concept specifically applies to the core principle “we are one” on this planet.
I’ve compiled a few discussion questions for you to consider if you decide to read the book and would like to talk about it more.
1. How many forms of violence can you think of that exist? Name as many as possible.
2. How many harmful ways that anger can be used, can you come up with?
3. How many positive ways that anger can be channeled can you think of?
4. When rearing children, do you feel it’s necessary to use force or a particular violent authority to correct or punish children when they make mistakes or disobey?
5. What inspirations did you feel after reading this book?
Interdependence 