Three Futures Facing Our Species Now
Summary: This conversation explores three possible futures for humanity: collapse, authoritarian control, or a great transition. It also looks at how a living-universe perspective, voluntary simplicity, and stronger community can help us navigate the current unraveling.
Questions This Interview Explores
- What are the three future pathways humanity is now moving toward, and how do they differ?
- How does the idea of a living universe change the way we understand consciousness, ecology, and responsibility?
- What practical forms of simplicity, community, and communication can help us through the coming disruptions?
- How can individuals make a meaningful difference in a turbulent system without becoming overwhelmed?
Duane Elgin is an internationally recognized speaker, author, and social visionary. He has an MBA in business and an MA in economic history He has worked as a senior staff member of the Presidential Commission on the American Future, and a senior social scientist co-authoring numerous studies of the long-range future for clients such as the President’s Science Advisor; the National Science Foundation; and others. Duane has also co-founded three non-profit organizations working for media accountability and citizen empowerment. He received the Peace Prize of Japan, the Goi Award, in recognition of his contribution to a global “vision, consciousness, and lifestyle” that fosters a “more sustainable and spiritual culture.” Duane is the Co-director of the Choosing Earth Project.
His books include:
- Choosing Earth: Humanity’s Journey of Initiation Through Breakdown and Collapse to Mature Planetary Community
- “The Living Universe: Where Are We? Who Are We? Where Are We Going?“;
- “Promise Ahead: A Vision of Hope and Action for Humanity’s Future“;
- “Voluntary Simplicity: Toward a Way of Life That Is Outwardly Simple, Inwardly Rich“; and
- “Awakening Earth: Exploring the Evolution of Human Culture and Consciousness” (Also available as a free download on Duane’s site.)
- He co-authored the book “Changing Images of Man” with Joseph Campbell and other scholars.
- In addition, Duane has contributed chapters to twenty-three books and has published more than a hundred major articles.
Websites:
Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.
Transcript, summary, and key takeaways from this interview
Interview recorded June 4, 2022.
YouTube Video Chapters:
- 00:00:00 – Introduction and Background of Duane Elgin
- 00:04:06 – The Time of Profound Transition
- 00:08:03 – The Top Environmental Problems: Selfishness, Greed, and Apathy
- 00:11:49 – Three Pathways for the Future
- 00:16:31 – A Time of Great Transition
- 00:20:54 – The Opportunity of This Time
- 00:25:20 – The Invitation of Transformation and Transition
- 00:29:20 – The Ecology of Consciousness
- 00:34:05 – The Aliveness of the Universe
- 00:38:03 – The Extraordinary Journey of Living in a Living Universe
- 00:42:09 – The Zooming Powers of 10 and our Connection to the Universe
- 00:45:29 – The Aliveness of the Universe: A Transition in Perception
- 00:49:23 – The Function of the United Nations
- 00:53:35 – The Power and Consequences of Social Media
- 00:57:18 – Mobilizing Our Capacities for Transformation
- 01:01:05 – The Devastating Times Ahead
- 01:04:57 – A Rush of Migration and Learning from Trauma
- 01:09:03 – Progression and Resistance
- 01:12:47 – Tapping into our Inner Resources
- 01:16:16 – The Miracles of Life, Consciousness, and Communication
- 01:20:30 – The Importance of Curiosity and Understanding Others
- 01:24:07 – Reconciliation and the Right to Life
- 01:27:58 – The Power of Recontextualization and Communication
- 01:32:21 – Averting the Danger of Lack of Conscious Attention
- 01:35:38 – The Importance of Community
- 01:39:36 – The Economic Hurricane and the Unraveling
- 01:43:30 – The Potential Consequences and Preparation for Disruptions
- 01:47:10 – The Shift towards Vegetarianism
- 01:50:56 – Finding Your True Gifts
- 01:54:12 – The Unraveling of Big Structures and Systems
- 01:57:34 – Setting Reminders for Upcoming Interviews on BatGap
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