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Mar 4, 2018 Posted by Samuel Alexander

Degrowth, Permaculture, and the Simpler Way (Collected Essays)

Late last year I published my third book of collected essays – and I never got around to posting about it. The collection is called Wild Democracy: Degrowth, Permaculture, and the Simpler Way and it is available here. My first two books of collected essays are Prosperous Descent: Crisis as Opportunity in an Age of Limits and Sufficiency Economy: Enough, for Everyone,... read more

Feb 25, 2018 Posted by Samuel Alexander

Living the Change: Inspiring Stories for a Sustainable Future (Film)

Jordan Osmond (who co-produced A Simpler Way with me) is about to release his second feature film, co-directed with Antoinette Wilson. The premiere is on 8 March, at 6.45pm, at Cinema Nova – if you’re around, come along and invite your friends. Should be amazing. Details below, tickets here. ———– Living the Change: Inspiring Stories for a Sustainable Future (Film) 8... read more

Dec 29, 2017 Posted by Samuel Alexander

Home Biogas Review: Independent Assessment from Australia

Biogas is a renewable energy source with net-zero emissions. In an age of worrying climate change and looming fossil energy decline, wouldn’t it be great if we could produce biogas at our homes and burn it as a cooking fuel? Well, it turns out you can. That’s what I’ve been doing in recent months and it’s helped enable our household to completely disconnect from conventional (fossil) gas and... read more

Oct 24, 2017 Posted by Samuel Alexander

Degrowth as an “Aesthetics of Existence”

I have just published a new MSSI monograph called “Degrowth as an ‘Aesthetics of Existence'” The pdf is available here and I’ve posted the essay below. Thanks to Melissa Davis for the cover image. This essay also appears as the introduction to my new book, Art Against Empire: Toward an Aesthetics of Degrowth Many of the great cultural shifts that prepare the way for political... read more

Oct 21, 2017 Posted by Samuel Alexander

Art Against Empire: Toward an Aesthetics of Degrowth

Last night I launched my new book called Art Against Empire: Toward an Aesthetics of Degrowth. This book is the outcome of a year-long collaboration with culture jamming artists around the world who produced over 170 images that make up the substance of the book. You can see some of the images here and the book is available for purchase here. What role might art need to play in the transition beyond... read more

Oct 16, 2017 Posted by Samuel Alexander

Culture Jamming Art: Book Launch Invite

This is one final reminder for those in Melbourne who might be interested in attending my book launch this Friday, 20 October, at 5.30pm, at Melbourne University. More details and RSVPs at this link, please share with others who may be interested. There will be live music from the amazing Matt Wicking and free beer and cider from the Good Brew Company. There will also been an exhibition of some of the art.... read more

Oct 2, 2017 Posted by Samuel Alexander

Art Against Empire: Book Launch Invitation (Melbourne)

Over the last year I have been working on a new project which explores the role of art and aesthetics in driving social, economic and political change. I am soon to publish a book on the subject called Art Against Empire: Toward an Aesthetics of Degrowth which includes over 170 ‘culture jamming’ images from a range of amazing artists. The book is being launched on 20 October 5.30pm at the... read more

Jul 8, 2017 Posted by Samuel Alexander

Dialogue One from ‘Deface the Currency’

Last year I published a book of ‘lost dialogues’ based on the ancient Greek philosophy of Diogenes the Cynic – arguably the most radical practitioner of ‘simple living’ in history. Below I have posted the first dialogue. The full book is available here. ACT I DIOGENES’ LANTERN Athens, 323 BCE. In broad daylight Diogenes wanders barefoot through the marketplace, dressed in... read more

Jun 18, 2017 Posted by Samuel Alexander

Restoring Paradise through Regenerative Agriculture: A Short Film

Jordan Osmond of Happen films (co-director of A Simpler Way) has just released a new short film on regenerative agriculture, produced in association with the Simplicity Institute. Another uplifting contribution to the movement for change. read more

Jun 16, 2017 Posted by Samuel Alexander

New Tiny House on Wheels

There is a new tiny house on wheels out at the Wurruk’an ecovillage! I’ve posted a few pictures below, and my carpenter friend, Tom Coupe of Blue Leaf Creations, who built it, has written a short article explaining some of the pros and cons of building on a trailer. Save the steel Why build on a trailer? It’s a valid question. If you can’t easily tow your tiny, maybe you should leave the... read more

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

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.