92: Economic Wisdom from the Natural World – The Serviceberry
In this trial run for the “GrowthBusters Book Club,” we discuss The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World – by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Cannibal economies, gift economies, reciprocity, and doughnut economics all come up.
Sally Gillespie in her Substack column, Psyche’s Nest wrote this about Kimmerer’s book:
“As disruptions and destructions reach our communities in all manner of ways, acts of kindness and generosity are already challenging modernity’s stories of ‘never enough’ and ‘you’re on your own’. Often led by those on the margins, we are remembering how to pool resources and gather for action and care as we tend to losses, connections, breakthroughs, emergencies and emergence. It seems to me that no one word is sufficient to describe this devolving and evolving process we are now in. What we need more than a word or a phrase are stories bearing ancient roots and seeds of possibility for the future.”
We also talk briefly about President Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” beautifully illustrating how policymakers – cheered on by Jeff Bezos – frequently rely on the crutch of economic growth rather than a sharp pencil in balancing the budget. The increased tax revenue never ends up covering costs – because costs skyrocket, too, in a growing economy.
The hard budget-balancing work is looking at the detail, doing the math, ferreting out REAL waste, and setting and following priorities. Interestingly, Robin Wall Kimmerer wrote about this phenomenon:
“An economy based on the impossibility of ever-expanding growth leads us into nightmare scenarios. I cringe when I hear economic reports celebrating the accelerating pace of economic growth, as if that were a good thing. It might be good for the Darrens, for the short term, but it is a dead end for others – it is an engine of extinction.”
Also, a note about how “record Memorial Day travel” also means record carbon emissions.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Beyond collapse: Carrying Stories of Care – by Sallie Gillespie in Psyche’s Nest on Substack
The Serviceberry: An Economy of Abundance – by Robin Wall Kimmerer Original essay in Emergence Magazine
A Resolution for 2021: Be a Better Ancestor (review of The Good Ancestor)
The Good Ancestor: Following the Intergenerational Golden Rule – episode 54 of the GrowthBusters podcast featuring philosopher Roman Krznarik, author of The Good Ancestor: A Radical Prescription for Long-Term Thinking
What Doughnut Economics Can Learn From History – Roman Krznaric & Kate Raworth
Flipping Economics on Its Head: Kate Raworth – episode 219 of Conversation Earth
Thriving Economy: Not Rocket Science – Kate Raworth – episode 220 of Conversation Earth
Kate Raworth – Exploring Doughnut Economics
End of Ponzi Economy: Jerry Mander – episode 203 of Conversation Earth
We’ve been unable to find Bob Banner’s essay, Why Relocalization? – A Return to the Local, so in its place:
Relocalization: A Strategic Response to Climate Change and Peak Oil – by Jason Bradford (2007, but still very relevant and informative)
Sustainability: Radical Solutions Inspiring Hope – edited by Bob Banner
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On the GrowthBusters podcast, we come to terms with the limits to growth, explore the joy of sustainable living, and provide a recovery program from our society’s growth addiction (economic/consumption and population). This podcast is part of the GrowthBusters project to raise awareness of overshoot and end our culture’s obsession with, and pursuit of, growth.
Dave Gardner directed the documentary GrowthBusters: Hooked on Growth, which Stanford Biologist Paul Ehrlich declared “could be the most important film ever made.” Co-host, and self-described “energy nerd,” Stephanie Gardner has degrees in Environmental Studies and Environmental Law & Policy.
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