Download the PDF: We live in a Living Universe
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.
Download the PDF: We live in a Living Universe
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.
Download the PDF: Global Consciousness Change.
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.
Download the PDF: Collective Consciousness and Cultural Healing
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.
Download the PDF: Pioneers of an Awakening Culture
“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.
Download the PDF: Revitalizing Democracy Through Electronic Town Meetings
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.
Download the PDF: Continuous Creation of The Living Cosmos..
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.
Download the PDF: Let’s Put the Vision in Television!!
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.
Download the PDF: The Limits to the Management of Large, Complex Systems
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.
Download the PDF: Voluntary Simplicity.
An article by Duane and Arnold Mitchell, published in the Co-Evolution Quarterly, Summer 1977. This was initially published in 1976 as a report by the major think-tank, SRI International, to give insight into grass-roots changes underway as a growing number of people begin developing more sustainable and satisfying ways of living. It was then published in Co-Evolution Quarterly and included a “’simplicity survey.” The survey also generated a tidal wave of feedback–more than a thousand pages of letters. These first-hand accounts established a broad and trustworthy foundation in lived-experience for the book Voluntary Simplicity, published in 1981
Download the PDF: The Value Of Voluntary Simplicity
By Richard Gregg, originally published in August, 1936 in the Indian Journal Visva-Bharati Quarterly and by the Quakers at Wallingford, PA: Pendle Hill, 1936. This is the original article on voluntary simplicity that inspired me to write his book by the same name in 1981. Gregg was a Harvard graduate and a student of Gandhi’s teachings. In this article, Gregg explores the spiritual, social, and economic reasons for choosing a life path of greater simplicity.