January

[MP] What is your view about the myth of eternal growth?

[ChatGPT] As a machine learning model, I don't have personal views or opinions. However, I can provide you with information about the concept of eternal growth.

The idea of eternal economic growth is based on the belief that economic growth is necessary for the well-being of society and that it can continue indefinitely. However, this concept is based on the assumption that there are unlimited resources available for consumption and that the negative environmental and social impacts of growth can be managed or ignored.

However, as the global population and consumption continue to rise, it is becoming increasingly clear that the Earth's natural resources are finite, and that the negative impacts of growth, such as climate change, pollution, and loss of biodiversity, are reaching critical levels.

Many experts argue that the idea of eternal growth is not sustainable, and that the world needs to shift towards a more sustainable, equitable, and regenerative economic system that prioritizes well-being over growth. This system could be called a "post-growth" or "degrowth" economy.

It is important to note that the idea of degrowth economy is still debated and it is not a widely accepted concept. Some experts argue that it may not be practical or even possible to achieve, while others argue that it is necessary for the survival of the human race and the planet.

[MP] What would a future "post-growth" world look like?

[ChatGPT] A post-growth or degrowth economy is an economic system that prioritizes well-being and sustainability over economic growth. In a post-growth world, the focus would shift from increasing production and consumption to meeting the basic needs of all people, preserving natural resources, and reducing environmental and social impacts.

Some of the key features of a post-growth world would include:

• A shift towards a more equitable and localized economy, where decision-making is decentralized and community-based.
• An emphasis on meeting basic needs, such as food, housing, healthcare, and education, rather than maximizing GDP.
• A reduction in the scale and pace of production and consumption, to minimize the depletion of natural resources and reduce the ecological footprint.
• A focus on regenerative and sustainable practices in agriculture, energy production, transportation, and other sectors.
• A decrease in the use of fossil fuels and an increase in the use of renewable energy sources.
• A reduction in the use of cars and an increase in the use of public transportation, cycling, and walking.
• A decrease in the use of pesticides and other chemicals in agriculture and an increase in the use of organic farming methods.

It is important to note that the concept of a post-growth economy is still debated, and there are varying interpretations of what such a system would look like in practice. Some experts argue that it may not be possible to achieve and others argue that it is necessary for the survival of the human race and the planet.

[MP] Are there any experts on post-growth that I can contact to know more about this idea?

[ChatGPT] There are several experts in the field of post-growth and degrowth that you can contact to learn more about this idea. Here are a few notable names:

• Kate Raworth, economist and author of "Doughnut Economics: Seven Ways to Think Like a 21st-Century Economist."
• Jason Hickel, anthropologist and author of "The Divide: A Brief Guide to Global Inequality and Its Solutions."
• Tim Jackson, economist and director of the Centre for Real-World Learning at the University of Surrey, and author of "Prosperity Without Growth."
• Peter Victor, economist and author of "Managing Without Growth: Slower by Design, Not Disaster."
• Giorgos Kallis, ecologist and professor at the Autonomous University of Barcelona and author of "The Degrowth Alternative: for Environmental Sustainability and Social Equity."

You can also find more experts in the field by searching for degrowth or post-growth in academic databases or by visiting the websites of institutions that specialize in environmental and economic sustainability such as The New Economics Foundation, The Post Growth Institute and The Degrowth Network.

It's important to note that while the idea of degrowth economy is still debated, and it's not a widely accepted concept yet. Some experts argue that it may not be practical or even possible to achieve, while others argue that it is necessary for the survival of the human race and the planet.

Photo by Monica Pinheiro free to use if you respect the license CC BY-NC-SA ( CC ).