“Dad, did you see the survey that showed that people around the world overwhelmingly wish to move to a well-being economy?”
“The same survey showed that people across the globe feel that nature should be given legal rights to protect it and that we should criminalize the destruction of nature. I think we should lean into that.”
“It says here that you are claiming that people around the world feel that human well-being is more important than economic growth.”
“Yes, that’s true. A recent survey showed that people around the world feel that way.”
“And that you said this at an investor’s conference.”
“Yes.”
“We have a little problem. You are going to need to make a statement of apology to shareholders, as such speech is a breach of your duty to shareholders. We would have to fire you. You would lose your stock, your bonus, and access to the corporate jet.”
“Hello, this is Elizabeth Smith, your CEO. I want to apologize to shareholders for some statements I made recently that may be construed that I value the well-being of humanity more than the profits of this company. I want to ensure you that nothing could be further from the truth.”
Photos by Ami Hirschi on Unsplash
Nice.
What this points out is that de-growth is fundamentally incompatible with capitalism. And that this realization is cognitively dissonant for those who currently profit from capitalism.
I made a choice opposite that of CEO Elizabeth Smith. I divested of all my capital holdings nearly two decades ago, and used the funds to start a co-op organic Permaculture farm. But it was a constant struggle to stay out of the capitalist system.
Any funds I have earn simple interest, which has put me far behind where I'd be financially, had I continued in the stock market. But it put me far ahead on the de-growth, sustainability path.
https://tinyurl.com/EcoReality