Disclaimer: the opinions and ideas presented on this forum are not representative of the Zeitgeist Movement UK

An economist that's beginning to get it

6 replies [Last post]
mrjonno
does not have a status.
Offline
Joined: 23/04/2010
An economist that's beginning to get it

Just watched a great new talk on TED

http://www.ted.com/talks/tim_jackson_s_economic_reality_check.html

To my way of thinking Tim doesn't go far enough but I think what he is suggesting may be what we may go through before getting to the only logical conclusion as to how to run the planet - the RBE. At least it looks to be a move in sort of the right direction.

Gravedigger
does not have a status.
Offline
Joined: 09/04/2010
Groups: Wales
Re: An economist that's beginning to get it

mrjonno wrote:
Just watched a great new talk on TED

http://www.ted.com/talks/tim_jackson_s_economic_reality_check.html

To my way of thinking Tim doesn't go far enough but I think what he is suggesting may be what we may go through before getting to the only logical conclusion as to how to run the planet - the RBE. At least it looks to be a move in sort of the right direction.

He's a green economist BS whose looking at the world through rose tinted glasses. This link goes a long way in explaining why he's signing 'I dreamed the impossible dream'!

http://www.worldsocialism.org/spgb/sep07/index.html#page10

mrjonno
does not have a status.
Offline
Joined: 23/04/2010
Re: An economist that's beginning to get it

That was my point by saying it doesn't go far enough. I do see it as something of shift in the right direction, ie towards sustainability Many people say we wear rose tinted glasses and have an impossible dream too. I don't know if I'll live long enough to see an RBE but it's the only viable option on the table for humanity to be able to flourish and prosper. As long as there's money around there will be greed and inequality but if on the way to its demise economics can become greener and more responsible I think this is positive.

Gravedigger
does not have a status.
Offline
Joined: 09/04/2010
Groups: Wales
Re: An economist that's beginning to get it

mrjonno wrote:
That was my point by saying it doesn't go far enough. I do see it as something of shift in the right direction, ie towards sustainability Many people say we wear rose tinted glasses and have an impossible dream too. I don't know if I'll live long enough to see an RBE but it's the only viable option on the table for humanity to be able to flourish and prosper. As long as there's money around there will be greed and inequality but if on the way to its demise economics can become greener and more responsible I think this is positive.

The article I linked in my post illustrated the reasons why green economics is not a shift in the right direction and will never go far enough - besides providing an explanation for the impossibility of capitalist economics becoming greener and more responsible or even positive. Tim Jackson and co assume capitalism can be subject to control given sufficient political will and neatly forgets that political will within capitalism can only function through the profit system. In short, if green economics is shown to be unprofitable - and it is - it is rejected has not worthy of consideration.

mrjonno
does not have a status.
Offline
Joined: 23/04/2010
Re: An economist that's beginning to get it

I'm with you Gravedigger. At no point have I suggested that Tim Jackson has the answer. I'm suggesting it is a step in the right direction for the planet. I'm only encouraged that inevitably as we'll be stuck with the capiltalist system for some time to come at least it looks like there's a will not to squander the resources and aim towards some sort of sustainability. Surely that is a relatively good thing? The guy is lead economist for the government's sustainable development commission so it's likely some of what he is saying will come about.

jhabbott
We now have a Reading chapter \o/
Offline
Joined: 07/05/2010
Re: An economist that's beginning to get it

PJ should do a TED talk! But he'd probably need some (specific and new) scientific research that's been done recently to investigate the viability of an RBE directly in practical terms.

mrjonno
does not have a status.
Offline
Joined: 23/04/2010
Re: An economist that's beginning to get it

I thought he was going to do one, inside information (or misinformation). I've been checking the TED speaker registrations on their site and nothing there although it doesn't seem altogether clear as these are for conference attendances, can't find any of the other events. Looking at the global ZM site there have been some posts about this and JF was up for it but the insurances required for a man of his age precluded it. I'm sure if we'd been all been made aware, globally, the money would have been forthcoming.
There is a PJ statement as part of a blog I remember but vaguely now. Nothing conclusive I know. I hope to see one of them there and maybe it'll come on the back of 'Moving Forward'. I know PJ is committed to making the world take notice of this one.
As an aside but related I've seen Doug Mallett dropping a few comments on various TED talks. In my opinion the most topical and relevant debating chamber we have. Many RBE comments I've seen and as long as they are relevant and justified they don't get knocked back. Probably preaching to most of the same church... PJ should definitely be there. He will be...