The two visions of post-industrial society

A New Ecological Paradigm for Post-Exuberant Sociology

“…For example, in a wide-ranging critique of opposition to nuclear power, an energy source that he believes necessary for continued economic growth and prosperity, Nisbet (1979) views such opposition as a manifestation of declining &dquo;faith in progress.&dquo; By implication, then, continued growth and prosperity could be guaranteed (ecological scarcity notwithstanding) if only we could restore that faith. Similarly, Bell (1977: 18), in a strong defense of economic growth and a scathing attack on the idea of physical limits to growth, assures readers that, &dquo;If one thinks only in physical terms, then it is likely that one does not need to worry about ever running out of resources.&dquo; This unecological view is consistent, of course, with his long-held vision of a &dquo;post-industrial society,&dquo; premised as that view is on absence of ecological constraints such as resource scarcity (Marien, 1977). Bell does, however, acknowledge the possibility that there may be &dquo;social limits to growth.&dquo; If there are limits to the development of human societies, Bell seems to be saying, they must be social rather than physical.…”

Willow pond: A decentralized low-carbon future scenario

“…These jobs are often itinerant positions related to natural resource extraction, the international travel industry, infrastructure construction, and 5 Economists are developing new insights from these systems and the communities they serve. This new branch of economics is called obligational theory.…”

“…(4) Present the key factors and relevant trends by importance and uncertainty. (5) If writing multiple scenarios, choose the ways in which each will differ. (6) Add more details, such as descriptions of daily life.…”

“…Other common plots include revolution in which there is a sudden change; cycles because things occur in cycles; infinite possibility in which the world will ''expand and improve, infinitely'' [1]; the Lone Ranger in which an independent hero anticipates victory; and ''My Generation'' influenced by the culture and demographics of a generation. Our decentralized scenario depends upon a sudden change, but then unfolds as an evolution into both aspects of a post-industrial society: (1) technological, affluent, and service-based; or (2) decentralized and ecologically conscious [5].…”

“…The system also keeps track of individuals' time spent in various production tasks as well as their future commitments [36]. 5 The challenge, consistent with concerns about the mismatch between our technological skills and the evolution of our social and cognitive skills, is to somehow advance humans as spiritual, psychological and societal entities to meet the potential of our technological achievements [34,37]. For example, we hold technologies in our hands that provide instant updates about suffering around the world and next door, but what spiritual or social skills have we developed for responding?…”