The same is true here in the United States.
Longer hours, longer commutes, nope people need to focus on their time. TIME is being wasted and not being spent with our families and friends.

Written in August 2008

The biggest problem is the measurement process used by economists. Examples such as GDP are easy to measure, but do they really measure anything useful?

Most of these measurements measure **consumption** and **money flow** rather than production or value. Thus, growth follows from increased consumption.

Consider a subsistence economy where there are two people who each bake themselves a loaf of bread and their chickens lay a dozen eggs. The economy produces 2 loaves of bread and 2 dozen eggs. There is no trade so the GDP is zero.

Now these two people start to specialize: one becomes a baker and bakes two loaves of bread (one for himself and one to sell for $1). The other has chickens that lay 2 dozen eggs (one dozen for himself and another to sell for $1). Same output, but now the GDP is $2.

The same as above, but they sell their produce for $5. Same output, but the GDP increases to $10.

When measurements as broken as GDP are used to drive economic decisions, how the hell are governments going to make sane decisions?

Written in August 2008

It can't grow indefinitely, because the earth's resources, and capacity to absorb waste, can only get us so far. That's the irony of our current growth-based economic model, that our definition of progress is actually heading us towards extinction.

We need to refocus on development, rather than growth per se. What can we do for a fairer, happier, safer society? That may or may not involve actual economic growth.

Written in August 2008

Yes, an economy can grow forever..., depending on how you measure the economy.

Tangible goods, based on physical resources, might be physically finite but the "value" can be enhanced by manufacturing, branding, advertising etc: 10c of sugar and flavouring becomes a $1 soda; with a whole lot of branding and advertising it becomes a $2 Coke.

Manufactured goods are getting to be less and less of what actually makes up an economy and services are the major growth area.

Services can grow forever either by inventing new ones (web designer, dog psychologist, etc etc) or by increasing the "value" ($5 haircut -> $200 hair design).

The unfortunate part of growth in these areas is that they make more and more layers between us and the natural processes of our planet.

Can you go back? Well yes you can on a personal basis. Start by reducing your consumption, cooking your own food and growing your own veges, Sure you might not be able to do all of these immediately but there is always somewhere where you can make a start.

Written in August 2008

"... all down the supply chain the energy costs have to be paid."

Indeed they do. However, aren't we seeing energy companies amass increasingly huge profits?

In everything energy seems to be the key to freedom and independance. What would it be like if individuals had the capacity to produce their own energy?

Written in August 2008