Articles by Duane
Transformational Philanthropy
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A report co-authored by Duane and Elizabeth Share. This report summarizes two years of inquiry regarding the creative role of philanthropy in responding to our rapidly changing world. Can we find trusted ways of identifying and supporting “transformational initiatives” for a more sustainable, just, and compassionate future?
The Breaking Point
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“The Breaking Point” An interview with Duane Elgin by Carter Phipps for What is Enlightenment? Magazine, Spring/Summer 2001
My first exposure to Duane Elgin’s work was, in a word, frightening. I picked up his new book, Promise Ahead: A Vision of Hope and Action for Humanity’s Future, and began reading the first few chapters only to run headlong into a very cogent, very clear, and very devastating description of the state of our embattled world. What I did not know at the time is that Elgin is a profound optimist. In fact, Promise Ahead, like all of his work, is infused with a positive vision of the future, born of someone who obviously has great faith in the possibility and promise of the human endeavor.
We Live in a Living Universe
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A summary and overview of the universe as a living system adapted from my book, Promise Ahead: A Vision of Hope and Action for Humanity’s Future, Morrow, 2000.
Global Consciousness Change: Indicators of an Emerging Paradigm
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A report authored by Duane with Coleen LeDrew Elgin that brings together, for the first time, major global and U.S. surveys that reveal a discernible shift in consciousness toward a more reflective, living-systems perspective. Countervailing trends were also noted in each major section. Includes a guide for group dialogue and study.
Collective Consciousness and Cultural Healing
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A report by Duane that explores the scientific foundations, evolutionary implications, and psychological expressions of collective consciousness—from the scale of personal relationships to that of the planet. With a concern for cultural healing throughout, the report includes excerpts from interviews with 18 leaders and visionaries on this theme.
Upshifters: Pioneers of an Awakening Culture
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“Upshifters: Pioneers of an Awakening Culture”, an interview with Duane by Sarah van Gelder and published in Yes! A Journal of Positive Futures, Summer/Spring 1996, Seattle, WA.
Moving toward simpler ways of living has sometimes been called “downshifting.” Duane turns this notion on its head and describes a life of voluntary simplicity as one of “upshifting” to a way of life that is more sustainable, satisfying, and soulful.
Revitalizing Democracy through Electronic Town Meetings
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An article for the Journal of the Council of State Governments, Spring 1993. Each generation must renew its contract with democracy in ways that respond to the changing needs of the times. Our world is now changing so fast that democracy is endangered unless citizens are far more involved in setting the direction of public policy. Electronic Town Meetings hold the potential to dramatically revitalize our democracy at a time filled with great decision about our future.
The Living Cosmos: A Theory of Continuous Creation
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A long article by Duane published in the journal, ReVision on the theory of continuous creation of the cosmos. Of particular interest is the connection between the speed of continuous regeneration of the cosmos and the constancy of the speed of light. This theory suggests that the constancy of the speed of light at the local scale is a by-product of the precise consistency of continuous creation at the cosmic scale. Many other implications for cosmology are noted.Continuous Creation of The Living Cosmos.
Let’s Put the Vision in Television
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An article for the journal In Context suggesting that virtually all of our problems are, at their core, communication challenges. Therefore, holding our tools of mass communication accountable for serving the interests of the public is not “just another issue” — it impacts all other issues. Only with robust and effective tools of mass communication can we grapple with the serious challenges to our future.
The Limits to Complexity: Are Bureaucracies Becoming Unmanageable?
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An article co-authored with Robert Bushnell, Jr., and published in The Futurist magazine that explores how many bureaucracies are pressing against the limits of our ability to manage systems of great size and complexity. Will these super-systems of stupendous size and complexity break down in the future? This summary article is based on a larger report for SRI International “Limits to the Management of Large, Complex Systems” done for the National Science Foundation and the project, Assessment of Future National and International Problem Areas, 1977, SRI Project 4676.