As the dream of economic growth dies, a new plan awaits testing | George Monbiot | Comment is free | The Guardian

Twenty-five years ago as a student of history, I had noted the economic booms and protracted busts which occurred with regularity--just as is highlighted in the recent book, "This Time is Different: Eight Centuries of Financial Folly." In noting that when economie's busted individuals and families were devastated, I asked, how me might create an economy which serves us instead of us genuflecting to it? I came to see that basically our economy and world has been constructed by psychopaths which I recently learned makeup about 4% of our population. This is and has been a public health crises--but one that has yet been recognized. It is impossible to tell just looking at people who these predators are, but the fruits of their labors are everywhere apparent. We must in truth acknowledge their impact on our collective history and recreate a world from consciousness rather than one which was built without a conscience. The time to do so is now--we can, we must create a more respectful, equitable, and harmonious world.(ci)


As the dream of economic growth dies, a new plan awaits testing | George Monbiot | Comment is free | The Guardian: How much of this is real? How much of the economic growth of the past 60 years? Of the wealth and comfort, the salaries and pensions that older people accept as normal, even necessary? How much of it is an illusion, created by levels of borrowing – financial and ecological – that cannot be sustained? Go to Ireland and you'll see that even bricks and mortar are a mirage: the marvels of the new economy, built on debt, stand empty and worthless.