Small is Beautiful
With the health of world economy being questioned in every newscast it seems like an appropriate time to reread some of the books I read as an undergraduate student in environmental studies. I’ve picked up a copy of Small Is Beautiful: Economics As If People Mattered, a collection of essays by British economist E. F. Schumacher. It’s been on the shelf generally collecting dust for too long – waiting to be revisited. That time has come. It was first published in 1973 during that year’s energy crisis and the emergence of globalization. Schumacher’s philosophy is one of “enoughness,” appreciating both human needs, limitations, and the appropriate use of technology.
As I work my way through it again this summer I’ll share a few of his insights here. You can also visit his daughter Nicola’s web site for links to some of his other publications.
Sometimes crisis can help to refocus us and give us an opportunity to look at things anew. In this case, I think it’s a good opportunity to simplify and scale our living to those experiences that are most fulfilling, and those possessions that are most meaningful. It may sound like blasphemy for a retailer to proclaim the adage that ‘less is more’ but really let’s be honest that for most of us, at least in North America, it is. Many of us can live better with less. It’s time to trade some of our monetary currency for the currency of life – time spent with family and friends, time digging in the garden, time poking around exploring the landscapes and cultures immediately around us.
At Plenty we support the Slow Food motto of Good, Clean, and Fair. I noticed recently in the Globe and Mail (article by Elicabeth Renzett, April 25th 09, R3) that there is a movement in London, England to celebrate a Slow London (“living life in real time”), there was also a movement near Victoria for the town of Cowichan Bay to become Canada’s first “Slow City”.
Eating more simply does not mean giving up much – it could mean preparing freshly picked kale with polenta and a poached egg – simple and delicious – and a glass of BC wine. Then sharing a Moziro mint smoothie bar for desert. It’s not pretentious or expensive – just simple and delicious so that you can focus on the company you are with. I think Epicurus would approve of that. Epicurus promoted the attainment of pleasure by living altruistically and he maintained that a small delicacy is as often as good as a feast.
As you slow down and focus on what’s most meaningful to you, you may find that there’s a little money left over. If you wish to practice the altruistic life that Epicurus encouraged consider investing in those that are truly struggling to provide a livelihood for their families. Heidi Swanson recently profiled an amazing microcredit program on her 101 Cookbooks blog. Heidi and many, many of her readers have made small loans (sometimes just $10 or $20), not donations, to people (who in many cases) wouldn’t qualify for loans otherwise – to-date they have pledged over $15,000. Heidi describes Kiva, the world’s first person-to-person micro-lending website (surely an appropriate use of technology!), empowering individuals to lend directly to unique entrepreneurs in 44 countries. Of the $34,575,635 of loans with completed loan terms, the default rate is just 1.7%. The Aga Khan Foundation is also actively involved in microfinance initiatives to alleviate poverty.
In this time of economic uncertainty let’s celebrate: smaller, slower, simpler, and more fair. Let’s rejoice in Schumacher’s philosophy of “enoughness,” appreciating both human needs, limitations, and the appropriate use of technology. Let’s live the real Epicurean life of altruism and time spent with family and friends sharing small pleasures.