Dear Gil, Excellent interview including comments & questions. My only disappointment is the ongoing insistence that "if only we tried real capitalism..." things could be better. Crying out for more diverse viewpoints won't bring in the perspective of those who have been marginalized and brutalized by the logic of capitalism -- as it is really implemented in our world. True economic and political democracy are really incompatible with the basic assumptions and philosophical underpinnings of capitalism, including (but not limited to) enclosure of the commons (aka private property rights), neo-darwinian competition as the driver of evolution, reductionist science as the only valid form of knowledge, and more. I don't oppose any of the "buying time" tactics of efficiency or working with enlightened businesses to appeal to their self-interest. It seems abundantly clear to me that the grow or die logic of capitalism inherently requires expansion (aka colonialism) which inevitably means theft of land and labor, violence, and other unspeakable crimes against humanity and the planet. I'll stop here -- but am happy to engage the discussion, and know you and your network offer a wealth of brilliant and creative ideas -- we go way back! Respect and gratitude, Grace
Why do I seem to see no response to the root problem, our multiplying solutions till they're the problem. Has anyone studied the ones you're talking about for that?
Dear Gil,
Excellent interview including comments & questions. My only disappointment is the ongoing insistence that "if only we tried real capitalism..." things could be better. Crying out for more diverse viewpoints won't bring in the perspective of those who have been marginalized and brutalized by the logic of capitalism -- as it is really implemented in our world. True economic and political democracy are really incompatible with the basic assumptions and philosophical underpinnings of capitalism, including (but not limited to) enclosure of the commons (aka private property rights), neo-darwinian competition as the driver of evolution, reductionist science as the only valid form of knowledge, and more. I don't oppose any of the "buying time" tactics of efficiency or working with enlightened businesses to appeal to their self-interest.
It seems abundantly clear to me that the grow or die logic of capitalism inherently requires expansion (aka colonialism) which inevitably means theft of land and labor, violence, and other unspeakable crimes against humanity and the planet. I'll stop here -- but am happy to engage the discussion, and know you and your network offer a wealth of brilliant and creative ideas -- we go way back!
Respect and gratitude,
Grace
Why do I seem to see no response to the root problem, our multiplying solutions till they're the problem. Has anyone studied the ones you're talking about for that?