Thanks to everyone who came out to hear Mike Nickerson (from archive).

Jul 2 2009, 10:35 PM

Solutions to the economic/ecological challenge of the day was the topic discussed
by author and educator Mike Nickerson, who spoke at the Downtown
Bookstore on June 16th.

Nickerson has studied, written and talked about cultural evolution for thirty-five years with particular
attention to sustainability and economics. Touring with his latest
book, "Life, Money & Illusion" he spoke of the responsibility that
we have toward today's young and the families they will want to raise.

The issue is that, while humans had little impact on the Earth for hundreds
of thousands of years, this has changed. We now cover most of the
planet and are capable of disrupting it's ability to provide for us.

"There are only two laws in nature that we must obey to avoid a trial in "the
Court of Natural Selection," Nickerson explained. "One prohibits
drawing more resources than the Earth can provide. The other governs
situations where the amount of waste we produce becomes intolerable,
either to ourselves or to the environment that supports us."

Enjoying living, Nickerson assured the full house, is a big part of the
solution. "Once we have the material necessities of nutritious food and
comfortable shelter, we get far more satisfaction from the Three 'L's:
Learning, Love and Laughter," (sport, art, service, appreciation and
the like) than from any material acquisitions. By focusing on living,
rather than possessing, we could be having so much fun that we wouldn't
have time to harm the planet."

"When we accept responsibility for our new maturity our duty as good citizens will change. Instead of
striving to earn and spend as much money as possible, we will aim to
live as lightly as possible, enjoy living to the fullest and manage the
world in ways that will assure successive generations their place under
the Sun. It is a Question of Direction.

Thanks to everyone who came out to hear Mike Nickerson (from archive).

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