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GTN Colleagues:<br>
<br>
The point of departure for our JANUARY DISCUSSION is the new GTI Viewpoint =
=E2=80=9CWhy We Consume: Neural Design and Sustainability=E2=80=9D by Peter=
 Sterling. Please find it and read it at <a href=3D"http://www.greattransit=
ion.org/publication/why-we-consume" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">ww=
w.greattransition.org/publication/why-we-consume</a>.<br>
<br>
A recurrent theme of recent discussions has been the growth imperative of t=
he capitalist system and ways to transcend it. But growth in output would h=
ave been a recipe for overproduction and stagnation (=E2=80=9Crealization c=
rises=E2=80=9D) had the demand side of the economic equation not expanded a=
pace. Indeed, Keynes, Schumpeter, and Marx=E2=80=94for different reasons=E2=
=80=94all believed productivity increases would outpace demand growth, ther=
eby subverting the long-term viability of capitalism. Keynes welcomed that =
destiny as an opportunity for fashioning a post-scarcity society, Schumpete=
r rued it as an inevitable segue to some kind of state socialism, and Marx =
saw deep structural crises as fuel for proletarian revolution.<br>
<br>
Of course, history has not been kind to these prognoses. Despite episodic s=
tagnation crises, consumer demand kept ballooning, postponing the day of re=
ckoning. What drives this seeming insatiability of wants beyond basic mater=
ial needs? As a neuroscientist, Peter Sterling draws on contemporary resear=
ch to diagnose the roots of consumerism in the way the brain works, and to =
limn lessons for the project of transcending it.<br>
<br>
Now, a number of you have been looking at the problem of consumerism=E2=80=
=94and prospects for =E2=80=9Csustainable consumption=E2=80=9D=E2=80=94thro=
ugh complementary windows of perception, stressing, inter alia, sociologica=
l pressures, psychological needs, cultural influences, and economic manipul=
ations. What resonances or dissonances do you see between your own perspect=
ive and Sterling=E2=80=99s emphasis on neural design?<br>
<br>
IN PRAISE OF BREVITY: GTI exchanges benefit enormously from expansive comme=
nts, but concise, pointed comments or questions are equally appreciated! Pl=
ease do not hesitate to weigh in.<br>
<br>
Comments are welcome through FEBRUARY 2.<br>
<br>
Friends, 2015 witnessed some hopeful developments for a GT, but also all to=
o many reminders that =E2=80=9Cwe have no time for the tranquilizing drug o=
f gradualism=E2=80=9D (Martin Luther King, Jr.). Perhaps our dialogue will =
ripple out further and faster in the coming year, and enrich the multifario=
us efforts of this remarkable assemblage. All of us here wish all of you a =
healthy and meaningful New Year.<br>
<br>
Looking forward,<br>
Paul Raskin<br>
GTI Director<br>
<br>
NOTE ON GTI=E2=80=99S PUBLICATION CYCLE:<br>
GTN discussions occur in ODD-NUMBERED months, and GTI publishes in EVEN-NUM=
BERED months. Each discussion takes up a new essay or viewpoint prior to it=
s publication. After the discussion closes, GTI publishes and distributes t=
he piece, along with comments drawn from the discussion and a response from=
 the author. You can review all GTN discussions at <a href=3D"http://www.gr=
eattransition.org/forum/gti-forum" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">www=
.greattransition.org/forum/gti-forum</a>.<br>
<br>
-----<br>
Hit reply to post a message<br>
Or see thread and reply online at<br>
<a href=3D"http://www.greattransition.org/forum/gti-discussions/172-why-we-=
consume-neural-design-and-sustainability/1468" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D=
"_blank">www.greattransition.org/forum/gti-discussions/172-why-we-consume-n=
eural-design-and-sustainability/1468</a><br>
<br>
Need help? Email <a href=3D"mailto:jcohn at tellus.org">jcohn at tellus.org</a><b=
r>
<br>
-------------------------------------------------------<br>
Hit reply to post a message<br>
Or see thread and reply online at<br>
<a href=3D"http://www.greattransition.org/forum/gti-discussions/172-why-we-=
consume-neural-design-and-sustainability/1471" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D=
"_blank">http://www.greattransition.org/forum/gti-discussions/172-why-we-co=
nsume-neural-design-and-sustainability/1471</a><br>
<br>
Need help? Email <a href=3D"mailto:jcohn at tellus.org">jcohn at tellus.org</a><b=
r>
<br>
<br>
</div><br><br clear=3D"all"><div><br></div>-- <br><div class=3D"gmail_signa=
ture"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div><div dir=3D"ltr"><div>Check out the Commons Tra=
nsition Plan here at: <a href=3D"http://commonstransition.org" target=3D"_b=
lank">http://commonstransition.org</a>=C2=A0=C2=A0</div><div><br></div>P2P =
Foundation: <a href=3D"http://p2pfoundation.net" target=3D"_blank">http://p=
2pfoundation.net</a>=C2=A0 - <a href=3D"http://blog.p2pfoundation.net" targ=
et=3D"_blank">http://blog.p2pfoundation.net</a> <br><br><a href=3D"http://l=
ists.ourproject.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/p2p-foundation" target=3D"_bla=
nk"></a>Updates: <a href=3D"http://twitter.com/mbauwens" target=3D"_blank">=
http://twitter.com/mbauwens</a>; <a href=3D"http://www.facebook.com/mbauwen=
s" target=3D"_blank">http://www.facebook.com/mbauwens</a><br><br>#82 on the=
 (En)Rich list: <a href=3D"http://enrichlist.org/the-complete-list/" target=
=3D"_blank">http://enrichlist.org/the-complete-list/</a> <br></div></div></=
div></div>
</div>

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