Articles by Duane
Deep Big History: A Living Systems Paradigm
Download the PDF: Deep Big History: A Living Systems Paradigm
This paper was presented in August, 2014 for the international conference on “Big History.” The dominant view within “big history” assumes the universe is non-living at its foundations and is comprised mostly of dead matter and empty space. It also regards the universe as without meaning, purpose or any underlying consciousness. This paper presents an alternative view that regards the universe as a unique kind of living system with meaning, purpose, and consciousness as an integral aspect.
Becoming a Global Eco-Civilization
Download the PDF: Becoming a Global Eco-Civilization
This is a paper that I wrote after being invited to China in 2013 to give a presentation on the theme of a “global eco-civilization” at a major, international conference sponsored by China. After the Chinese censors read the paper I was inexplicably dis-invited from the conference—perhaps because of my call for an “Earth-Voice” movement that transcends the gridlock of nation-state bureaucracies.
Contrasts Between a Dead and a Living Universe
Contrasts Between a Dead and a Living Universe
This is a table taken from my book The Living Universe and presents a series of contrasts between the view of the universe as either dead or alive at its foundations.
Broadcast Television Laws and Your Rights as Citizens
Download the PDF: Broadcast Television Laws and Your Rights as Citizens
How do Electronic Town Meetings fit into U.S. communications law? Do they represent an inappropriate intrusion of the public into the affairs of broadcast TV stations or do they represent a fully legitimate exercise of the public’s rights and duties in a modern democracy? Because most citizens are reluctant to act when not given the authority to do so, it is important to know that “Electronic Town Meetings” (or “Televised Community Feedback Forums”) are fully legitimate expressions of our democratic processes that are strongly supported across a broad spectrum of Constitutional law, Congressional legislation, and FCC regulation.
The Double Life of Thomas Berry
Download the PDF: The Double Life of Thomas Berry
A chapter by Duane for the book, Thomas Berry: Dreamer of the Earth, Ervin Laszlo and Allan combs (eds.), Inner Traditions. This chapter explores the intersection of the horizontal dimension of Berry’s work (the evolution of the universe through time) and the vertical dimension (the emergence of the universe in time as a living, regenerative system). Particular emphasis is given to the vertical dimension in Berry’s work–the spontaneous emergence at every moment of the universe as a sacred, interdependent system.
Voluntary Simplicity: Cool Lifestyle for a Hot Planet
Download the PDF: Voluntary Simplicity: Cool Lifestyle for a Hot Planet
This is the first chapter in my completely revised edition of Voluntary Simplicity (published in 2010 by Harper Books). Offers an updated overview of the shift toward more sustainable and compassionate ways of living.
The Garden Of Simplicity
Download the PDF: The Garden of Simplicity
This short overview of the diverse expressions of “simplicity” has been requested many times. Here is the most recent, open-source version from the new edition of Voluntary Simplicity.
The Great Awakening
Download the PDF: The Great Awakening
This is the first chapter in my book, The Living Universe: Where Are We? Who Are We? Where Are We Going? published by Berret-Koehler. Are we beginning to regard the universe in a new way? What difference does it make whether we regard the universe as living or non-living at its foundations?
Peril and Promise
Download the PDF: Peril and Promise
“Peril and Promise” An interview with Duane Elgin by Arnie Cooper for The Sun Magazine, August 2002
Duane Elgin helped define the trend toward a life of sustainable prosperity back in 1981 with his first book, Voluntary Simplicity: Toward a Way of Life That Is Outwardly Simple, Inwardly Rich (Morrow). In that now-classic text, updated in 1993 and again in 2010, Elgin encouraged us not just to cut back on consumption and ease our busy schedules, but to live a life with purpose, in which every action is the result of a conscious choice.
The Self-Guiding Evolution of Civilizations
Download the PDF: Self-Guiding Evolution of Civilizations
A long article by Duane for the Systems Research and Behavioral Science Journal. Because the impact of humanity is now global, we are challenged to become reflective at this scale if we are to be choiceful about our common future. The vehicle of collective attention at a civilizational scale is the mass media, particularly broadcast television. If civilizations are to become self-guiding in their evolution, then it is vital for the public to mobilize the airwaves, already owned by the public, on behalf of the public interest.