Samuel Alexander | The Simplicity Collective

Jun 7, 2017 Posted by Samuel Alexander

Composting Loos: A Short Film

Jordan Osmond of Happen Films (co-producer of A Simpler Way) has recently released a short film on composting loos (see below), produced in association with the Simplicity Institute. A fascinating and progressive film by my favourite documentary maker.... read more

Jun 4, 2017 Posted by Samuel Alexander

Words for Awakening: Voices of Inspired Revolt

Over the last few months I have been working with my co-director of the Simplicity Institute, Simon Ussher, collecting together provocative and inspiring quotes and excerpts from our favourite thinkers and writers, related to the themes of simple living, frugal abundance, money and wealth, crisis, mindfulness, nature mysticism and sacred activism. In our new book, Words for Awakening: Voices of Inspired... read more

Apr 12, 2017 Posted by Samuel Alexander

Introduction to ‘Entropia’

In 2013 I published my first book of fiction, Entropia: Life Beyond Industrial Civilisation. This book has just been published in French, with a foreword by Serge Latouche, so to mark this occasion I’m publishing the introduction to Entropia below (in English). If you know any French speakers, please share this link with them. The English version is available in paperback here and pdf here. The story... read more

Mar 21, 2017 Posted by Samuel Alexander

Democracy at risk: the terrifying power of ‘big data’

Here is my short article that appeared Tuesday morning in On Line Opinion. Democracy at risk: the terrifying power of ‘big data’ The ‘digital revolution’ continues to change the world in profound ways. Everyday computers and other information technologies reach further into our lives, often in subtle ways, reshaping global society so swiftly that the deepest impacts can easily escape... read more

Mar 8, 2017 Posted by Samuel Alexander

Urban Abundance

Jordan Osmond of Happen Films has just released his new short film ‘Urban Abundance’, produced in association with the Simplicity Institute. Another inspiring piece of work – thanks Jordan! read more

Feb 10, 2017 Posted by Samuel Alexander

A Critique of the Decoupling Strategy: A ‘Limits to Growth’ Perspective

In late 2015 the CSIRO – Australia’s most prominent scientific organisation – published the ‘Australian National Outlook Report’ which argued that Australia can grow its economy and achieve sustainability without questioning consumerist values. In response to that report, the Simplicity Institute has just published a new paper called ‘A Critique of the Decoupling... read more

Feb 2, 2017 Posted by Samuel Alexander

The Dark Cellars Project: An Aesthetics of Revolt

A couple of months ago I made a call out for artists and graphic designers to be in touch if they wanted to explore ways to use art and image to unsettle the normality of consumer capitalism and provoke thought about alternative ways to live and be. I was overwhelmed by the response, with over 50 artists writing back expressing their interest in a culture jamming project. In recent weeks we’ve set up... read more

Jan 4, 2017 Posted by Samuel Alexander

The Moral and Ethical Weight of Voluntary Simplicity: A Philosophical Review

I’ve just published a new Simplicity Institute Report with a friend and colleague, Jacob Garrett, called ‘The Moral and Ethical Weight of Voluntary Simplicity: A Philosophical Review’. I’ve posted the introduction below and the full report is available here. The Moral and Ethical Weight of Voluntary Simplicity: A Philosophical Review Samuel Alexander and Jacob Garrett 1.... read more

Dec 18, 2016 Posted by Samuel Alexander

Live without Dead Thyme: Photo Tour of Garden

I spent Saturday night under a 100 year old pear tree with David Holmgren, Su Dennett, and a spirited gathering of Victorian permaculturalists, for their annual summer solstice party. Fun and uplifting times. David and Su’s property Melliodora is a genuine permaculture paradise – and an inspiring example of what can be done. My household’s urban homestead doesn’t compare, but over... read more

Dec 16, 2016 Posted by Samuel Alexander

Just Enough is Plenty: Thoreau’s Alternative Economics

This week I published a short book called Just Enough is Plenty: Thoreau’s Alternative Economics, available in paperback here and in pdf on a ‘pay what you want’ basis here. Feel free to share the pdf as a post-consumerist Christmas present. Philip Cafaro, author of Thoreau’s Living Ethics wrote this about my new book: “Just Enough Is Plenty is a superb introduction to... read more

Invitation / Incitation

The Simplicity Collective is founded upon the idea that a 'simpler life' of reduced resource and energy consumption is a viable and desirable alternative to consumer culture.

Our position is that simple living will improve not only our own lives, but the lives of others, as well as help save our planet from the environmental catastrophe towards which we are so enthusiastically marching.

We must not just fall in line, then, and continue the march ‘business as usual.’ We must explore alternative ways to live. We must experiment creatively, like the artist. We must be the poets of our own lives and of a new generation.