The Future As If People Mattered with E.F. Schumacher, CBE

MP3 Download In this transformative lecture from 1977 held in San Rafael, California, renowned economist and philosopher E.F. Schumacher presents a compelling vision for shifting towards sustainable living. Critiquing the modern reliance on large-scale technologies and fossil fuels, Schumacher advocates for smaller, localized solutions that align more closely with natural ecosystems. He emphasizes community-based initiatives, highlighting the inefficiencies and societal challenges posed by large organizations. Schumacher introduces two contrasting approaches to problem-solving: the "forward stampede," which depends heavily on complex technologies, and the "homecomers" approach, which stresses harmony with nature. He argues for the adoption of decentralized, renewable energy sources and underscores the roles of biological agriculture and passive solar energy in reducing consumption and fostering sustainability. Concerns about the environmental and social consequences of modern technolog