Review - The Economics of Happiness

On Tuesday night I attended a film screening at Rancho Notorious (its the space upstairs at Thousand Pound Bend, for those of you playing at home).The film was The Economics of Happiness - one I've been trying to see for a little while now. It is a really interesting discussion of globalisation and the issues it creates. It investigates an apparent contradiction -  the constant pursuit of economic growth in the developed world resulting in increasing levels of unhappiness and distress in the west, alongside an increasingly dire social situation in the developing world.

The film is steered by Helena Norberg-Hodge - a researcher who has dedicated her life to investigating the impact of economic development on agriculture and cultural evolution. She discusses these impacts in the context of the Ladakhi people from Tibet, an isolated community that until the 1970s was thriving on local economic and social engagement, living a relatively simple way of life with a surprisingly high standard of living - a life that she describes as "joyous and rich".

I've recently submitted a thesis on the role of corporations in the environmental movement, especially in our current neoliberal free-market economic landscape. Not surprisingly, many of the themes I explored in my essay were touched on in the film, though framed in a slightly different way.

Historically, economic growth has always been the aim of the game. In our modern era, with the developed world having already achieved high levels of employment, infrastructure and affluence, the economic growth sought by consumer culture becomes problematic. When this infiltrates the community of the Ladakhis, it creates unemployment, depression, and an internal perception of poverty, all in just 30 short years.

As was discussed with friends this week, one critical issue is that "ours isn't a free market". The level to which subsidies, commercial lobbying and inequality in free-trade agreements preference transnational corporations means that our global economy could not function without state support. I'm pretty sure this isn't what was intended. This balance ensures social, ecological and personal wellbeing (which is often completely at odds from the commercial agenda) will become further and further from our grasp as long as growth is pursued.

The film proposes localisation - the antithesis to globalisation - as a way to counteract our projected pathway, and to me, the rationale seems sound. An example given was the local bookshop: it returns (on average) $45 to the local economy, as opposed to a chain store which returns approximately $13. If these figures are translated to food, services, clothing, recreation, etc. the impacts are huge!

Not only that, the environmental impacts of buying locally are significant. This is particularly evident with fashion, where a garment produced by an international retailer could have already been to 4 or 5 different countries during the production process before it even lands in store, with much of its true environmental impact still to come.

True localisation isn't just visiting the farmers market once in a while. The film shows how much of an impact local economies can have. Returning to community based activities has big social benefits, not to mention the fact that it can help to correct economic and environmental imbalances.

I would love to discuss this in much more detail and hear your thoughts on the film, globalisation and economic growth, or why you like shopping local.

Systems Thinking

I'm deep in essay writing mode - its 7am and I've been at it for approximately 12 hours. I'm currently writing about the limits of environmental CSR initiatives in a neoliberal economy.Needless to say, it got me thinking about paradigm shifts. Conveniently, Donella Meadows is one of my key sources. Here are two extracts from Places to Intervene in Systems in Order of Increasing Effectiveness.

People who manage to intervene in systems at the level of paradigm hit a leverage  point that totally transforms systems.

You could say paradigms are harder to change than anything else about a system, and therefore this item should be lowest on the list, not the highest. But there's nothing  physical or expensive or even slow about paradigm change. In a single individual it can happen in a millisecond. All it takes is a click in the mind, a new way of seeing. Of course individuals and societies do resist challenges to their paradigm harder than they resist any other kind of change.

So how do you change paradigms? Thomas Kuhn, who wrote the seminal book about  the great paradigm shifts of science, has a lot to say about that. In a nutshell, you keep  pointing at the anomalies and failures in the old paradigm, you come yourself, loudly, with assurance, from the new one, you insert people with the new paradigm in places of public visibility and power. You don't waste time with reactionaries; rather you work with active change agents and with the vast middle ground of people who are open-minded.

Systems folks would say one way to change a paradigm is to model a system, which takes you outside the system and forces you to see it whole. We say that because our own paradigms have been changed that way.

...

The highest leverage of all is to keep oneself unattached in the arena of paradigms, to realize that NO paradigm is "true," that even the one that sweetly shapes one's comfortable worldview is a tremendously limited understanding of an immense and amazing universe.

It is to "get" at a gut level the paradigm that there are paradigms, and to see that that itself is a paradigm, and to regard that whole realization as devastatingly funny. It is to let go into Not Knowing.developer.

People who cling to paradigms (just about all of us) take one look at the spacious possibility that everything we think is guaranteed to be nonsense and pedal rapidly in the opposite direction. Surely there is no power, no control, not even a reason for being, much less acting, in the experience that there is no certainty in any worldview. But everyone who has managed to entertain that idea, for a moment or for a lifetime, has found it a basis for radical empowerment. If no paradigm is right, you can choose one that will help achieve your purpose. If you have no idea where to get a purpose, you can listen to the universe (or put in the name of your favorite deity here) and do his, her, its will, which is a lot better informed than your will.

It is in the space of mastery over paradigms that people throw off addictions, live in constant joy, bring down empires, get locked up or burned at the stake or crucified or shot, and have impacts that last for millennia.

Back from the sublime to the ridiculous, from enlightenment to caveats. There is so much that has to be said to qualify this list. It is tentative and its order is slithery. There are exceptions to every item on it. Having the list percolating in my subconscious for years has not transformed me into a Superwoman. I seem to spend my time running up and down the list, trying out leverage points wherever I can find them. The higher the leverage point, the more the system resists changing it—that's why societies rub out truly enlightened beings.

I don't think there are cheap tickets to system change. You have to work at it, whether that means rigorously analyzing a system or rigorously casting off paradigms. In the end, it seems that leverage has less to do with pushing levers than it does with disciplined thinking combined with strategically, profoundly, madly letting go."

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The Ethics of Affluence/Existential Crisis

I live a good life.As much as I sometimes struggle to pay my mortgage, I sometimes work more than I'd like to and can't take as many holidays as some, I generally have everything I could want or need. I also am fortunate enough to have a great deal of choice as to how I live my life. I spend my working (and playing) life on pursuits I enjoy.

I also read a lot.

And as a rule I don't read a lot of fluffy, happy, easy stuff. Much of what I read makes me really, really sad and embarrassed to be someone who contributes to the great imbalance of global economic and social conditions. I know that the way I live my life contributes to the continuing deterioration of our natural environment, the social injustices carried out all over the world.

I spend a lot of time with people who are aware of and concerned about how the current state of global business and industry looks. I purposely surround myself with people who are motivated to make a positive social impact, to change the world for the better.

Those of you who know me, know that I am passionate about bringing awareness to the industry and the public about the real effects of a multi-billion dollar global trade like the fashion industry. I want people to be aware of what situations they are enabling when they buy fast fashion goods, and of what they can do to support a different kind of system.

I am frequently overwhelmed by it all though.

I know I'm not the only one who feels like the system is broken. But do we really have no choice but to continue to operate within the system we hate? What is the alternative? Falling off the grid and joining a commune?

I often wonder how I manage to go about my daily business while I'm aware of the fact that children are used to produce the chocolate I sometimes eat while I'm watching TV or the fact that the t-shirt I wear will likely end up adding to the massive problem of textile waste in this country? Is it just a matter of suspending this awareness for a period while I eat my chocolate? The further removed I am from the direct consequences of my choices the easier it is for me to ignore the reality.

Is there something wrong with me that I'm not satisfied with ignoring the reality? That I cannot see myself continuing to exist here in Australia in my ivory tower, drinking lattes, playing with my iphone and accumulating things I'll never use?

Where to from here?

Melbourne's Most Influential, Inspiring and Creative 2010

I recently read The Age Melbourne's List of the the Top 100 for 2010.Amazingly, there were close to none on the list that I would have had on mine. So I decided to write my own - not quite 100 though... Now, given that I spend so much time in the online world, its fair to say that I exist in a fairly different space to most mainstream print journalists so its hardly surprising that we don't see eye to eye on this, and those I've selected are certainly indicative of my areas of interest. But I think my choices show - to some extent - just how far removed so many traditional journalists are from the many channels of conversations that are happening online. It is also testament to just how much of an impact the connections I have made online are having on my real life relationships, my ongoing personal development and my decisions.

How lucky am I to have spent time with these amazing people in the past year?!

Kate Kendall - used the internet to bring people together

Kate is a bit of a legend in the Melbourne online space. She is responsible for creating many meaningful connections and relationships within the community and has helped people get jobs, make friends, find love, discover their passions, meet interesting people and has established the SocialMelb meetup as a way for online relationships to move into the real world. Kate may be known for her work in digital strategy but she is also a gifted writer, communicator and a born innovator with an entrepreneurial streak. Kate sees social media as an extra tool for education, development, communication - not a replacement for real life interaction. It is impossible for me to say enough things about Kate's brilliance in 150 odd words but she is an incredibly perceptive, aware and compassionate person. After having known Kate only a short time I am sure she will remain a close friend for a lifetime. And I am really excited to see what she comes up with in 2011.

More about Kate at her website.

Tresna Lee - pursued her passion and simplified her life

12 months ago Tresna's life was vastly different. As far as I can tell, it has been a tumultuous but immensely rewarding year for a young lady who made a choice not to take the easy way out. Tresna has left behind the promise of a lofty career in HR to pursue her interest in food. By embracing a minimalist lifestyle she is living more, with less. She now spends some of her days indulging her passion for high quality food in 2 of Melbourne's newest favourite food spots - The Palace by Luke Mangan, and Earl Canteen. She has also found the time to establish a really interesting new creative project - Foodhands - which documents the stories of people working in the food industry and is a really great insight into the motivation of people who pursue their passion - in any field. She continues to educate and inspire me to pursue my passions and dictate the way I want to live my life.

Read Foodhands or more about Tresna at her blog.

Kealey Nutt - challenged traditional notions of online/publishing

When Kealey made the move over from her native Perth to pursue further study, she knew a handful of people and was living on a student's wage (ie. nothing). In the space of less that 1 year she has established herself as a force to be reckoned with in the online publishing world. By launching Thelma - a digital magazine with a conscience - she is challenging businesses with a much larger pool of resources to step up to the plate. By creating her own format, constantly changing and evolving, and providing interesting young people from all fields with an opportunity to contribute or be featured in the magazine she is setting the bar high for others in the industry. Most impressive though, is that she is only at the beginning of learning web coding. Scary to think just how good it can get.

Read Thelma or visit Kealey's website.

Mikala Tai - established a gallery space for asian contemporary art

Mikala is a dynamo. She has established a gallery space for contemporary asian art with her business partner Bryan Collie. She curates the L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival Cultural Program. Plus she is completing a PhD. All before the age of 30. What I admire most about her though, is that she is unfailingly generous with her time, eternally optimistic and dedicated to developing emerging talent in her fields of influence. She is one of the nicest people I have had the good fortune to meet in 2010 and certainly someone who has influenced my direction professionally and personally.

Visit the Melbourne International Fine Art website.

Karen Webster - pushed the agenda of local fashion

Most fashion loving Melbourne folk will know of Karen from her work as Director of the L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival. Taking 5 years off from her role as Director of the RMIT School of Fashion, she was responsible for expanding the festival to unprecedented levels. Finishing her fifth and final festival in March and handing the reigns over to new Creative Director Grant Pearce, she has returned to RMIT and continues to champion the work of emerging local designers, and somehow finds time to work on her own PhD, plus give much needed assistance to many in need of mentoring, myself included.

David Hood - used social media to do something good

David uses his considerable skills and compassionate spirit to work solely with people and organisations who are doing some good in the world. In 2010 he contributed to the success of two of my highlights for the year, the TEDxMelbourne events and the Hub Melbourne Incubator, among many others. He has also set up his social enterprise Doing Something Good to facilitate collaboration, education, knowledge sharing and help for people working on great causes in Melbourne. He has also been extremely patient and generous with his time with me as he is with others.

Check out Doing Something Good or visit David's blog.

And a couple that were on the Age's List that I would have included on mine too...

Grace McQuilten - combined fashion and social enterprise

Grace has a long history as a contributor to the work of some of Melbourne's greatest causes. This year, her own organisation The Social Studio has gathered momentum as one of Australia's most impressive social enterprises. Arming refugees and recent immigrants with the skills to work in the textiles industry, its principles and designs have been talked about for all the right reasons. Grace was even shortlisted to meet Oprah as one of Australia's most innovative social entrepreneurs.

Read more about The Social Studio at the website.

Dan Sultan - brought soul and sex appeal back to Australian music

Dan Sultan is a character. The kind of which I feel has been missing from the Australian music landscape for quite a while. His smoky voice is rough and soft at the same time. His songwriting is nostalgic in many ways. He is a modern day sex symbol and poet rolled into one - a mix of Michael Hutchence and Paul Kelly perhaps? He sings about life in Melbourne and pinpoints the emotion with such skill that it reminds you again and again why you love this city. I'm really glad to see him catch a wider audience this year.

Watch the clip for "Old Fitzroy".

And just when you thought I was done... a few more amazing ladies that continue to inspire, influence and excite me with their creativity, generosity and ability to take risks to pursue their passions. All of whom I met through the internet. Weird? Maybe... Awesome? Yes.

Lou Pardi - took a risk and left her job to pursue a career as a full time freelance writer - her website

Cheryl Lin - managed to juggle a full time job as well as her many other projects - her blog

Lyrian Fleming - dedicated her life to environmental and humanitarian organisations - her blog

Bhakti Talreja - established So Ethic - Melbourne's first not-for-profit ethical clothing store

Here's to a spectacular 2011. May we all strive to achieve great things, and inspire others in the process.

Aspirational / Practical

A conversation with my boyfriend today sparked some thoughts about how differently we process situations and surroundings.I am what I would consider to be aspirational. I have an idea of what I want, where I want to get to and plan well in advance to reach my goals. I try and line up the necessary steps to get to where I want to go.

Marcus is much more practical. He considers the scenario and works to achieve the best outcome with the circumstances he's been dealt. He is much less goals oriented, only plans short term and doesn't often consider how he might achieve an ideal scenario.

Now, as challenging as this is for both of us in our relationship, it is also quite fortunate - as we're both great at counterbalancing the other. He commented that my way of thinking can cause me to become anxious or disappointed when my plans don't all fall into place - at least until I think of a different way to attack it or shift my goals - he finds this frustrating. I was equally frustrated at the possibility of accidentally arriving in a situation without aspiring to be there.

Happily, I think Marcus is in an ideal job for someone who thinks this way. He is often required to problem solve short term issues and is great at avoiding difficult situations in these cases. I wonder then, if my way of processing things is linked to my tendency to think outside the box, and how this might be best utilised in a business sense? Much more investigation and reading needed I think.