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Jun 17, 2016 Posted by Samuel Alexander

Telling New Stories as the Old Book Closes

Today I am posting a link to my new essay, ‘Prosperous Descent: Telling New Stories as the Old Book Closes‘, which was recently published in the Griffith Review, Australia’s most prestigious literary journal. The essay tells the story of Wurruk’an, the ‘simpler way’ demonstration project that formed the basis of the new documentary ‘A Simpler Way: Crisis as... read more

Jun 6, 2016 Posted by Samuel Alexander

Compost Capitalism

I’ve had a handful of requests from people asking for a transcript of my short introduction to the film premiere last Friday (full documentary is now available here). I’ve turned my notes into a script which I think is pretty much word for word. Good evening everyone, a very warm welcome to you all, my name is Samuel Alexander and I’m very happy to be introducing tonight’s premiere... read more

Jun 4, 2016 Posted by Samuel Alexander

A Simpler Way: Crisis as Opportunity (Full Documentary)

Last night 300 people attended the sold-out premiere screening of the new documentary, A Simpler Way: Crisis as Opportunity, which I co-produced with Jordan Osmond. After the film, David Holmgren and Helena Norberg-Hodge joined us on stage for a panel discussion which stimulated a great discussion. You can watch the film freely below and information on organising your own screening can be found here.... read more

May 4, 2016 Posted by Samuel Alexander

Phasing out fossil fuels for renewables may not be a straightforward swap

Here is a fascinating and important article (originally published at The Conversation) written by Josh Floyd and Anthony James, based on the energy transition modelling undertaken by Floyd at his excellent energy blog, Beyond this Brief Anomaly. To have any chance of preventing dangerous climate change, the world needs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero or even negative by mid-century. Many... read more

Apr 24, 2016 Posted by Samuel Alexander

Trailer to “A Simpler Way: Crisis as Opportunity”

We’ve just released the trailer to our forthcoming documentary, A Simpler Way: Crisis as Opportunity“. Half the tickets for the Melbourne premiere (3 June) have moved in the last couple of days, so if you’re wanting to attend, get your tickets here. We’re also very happy to announce that David Holmgren, co-originator of the permaculture concept, will be joining us at the premiere... read more

Apr 22, 2016 Posted by Samuel Alexander

Limits to Growth: Policies to Steer the Economy away from Disaster

Yesterday I posted my new MSSI Issues paper, “Policies for a Post-Growth Economy“. Today I share my short summary of that paper which has been published in the Conversation. (Also, a quick reminder for those in Victoria, tickets to the premiere of A Simpler Way: Crisis as Opportunity are moving quickly. If you want to come, please get tickets today from here). LIMITS TO GROWTH: POLICIES TO... read more

Apr 21, 2016 Posted by Samuel Alexander

Policies for a Post-Growth Economy

This week I published a new MSSI Issues paper called “Policies for a Post-Growth Economy”. The full article is available here. INTRODUCTION The 1972 publication of Limits to Growth sparked a controversy that has yet to subside. This book argued that if population, resource use, and pollution kept increasing on our finite planet, eventually economies would face environmental ‘limits to... read more

Apr 19, 2016 Posted by Samuel Alexander

Invitation: Melbourne Premiere of “A Simpler Way: Crisis as Opportunity”

I’ve been relatively quiet on the Simplicity Collective this year, primarily because I’ve been investing so much time making a documentary, called “A Simpler Way: Crisis as Opportunity”, which I’ve co-produced with Jordan Osmond of Happen Films. After 18 months of work, we’re delighted to announce a date for the Melbourne premiere of the film. You’re invited! I... read more

Mar 25, 2016 Posted by Samuel Alexander

The Goldilocks Question: How Much Economic Growth is Just Right?

A week ago I was interviewed on ABC’s Radio National, with several leading Australian economists. They were the pro-growth advocates, I was the sceptic. I’ll let you decide whether they answered the critique of growth I put forward: The debate can be listened to... read more

Mar 2, 2016 Posted by Samuel Alexander

Want to visit Wurruk’an? Let’s build the new world together

Wurruk’an is a humble but beautiful body of land, water, and forest in the Gunai district of Gippsland, Victoria. In recent years it has become an inclusive gathering space for people seeking to pioneer and demonstrate a ‘simpler way’ of living based on permaculture principles. Among other things, we have been running mud-building workshops and growing organic food, capturing water from the skies,... read more

Dec 10, 2015 Posted by Samuel Alexander

My Interview with David Holmgren

Recently I interviewed David Holmgren, co-originator of the permaculture concept, at his property in Hepburn, Victoria. This was produced as part of the documentary I’m making this year with Jordan Osmond of Happen Films. You can see the interview below or click here. ... read more

Nov 21, 2015 Posted by Samuel Alexander

Less Meat, Less Heat: The Overlooked Climate Strategy

Leat Meat, Less Heat: The Overlooked Climate Strategy by Samuel Alexander, Nicholas Bowles, and Mark Pershin Sometimes the best way to respond to a problem is overlooked because it is right under our noses – literally, one might say, on our dinner plates. Even when we see what is under our noses and know how best to respond, we might nevertheless choose to look away because it seems too hard or... read more

Nov 2, 2015 Posted by Samuel Alexander

What is Degrowth? Envisioning a Prosperous Descent

This is a transcript of my keynote address presented at the ‘Local Lives, Global Matters’ conference in Castlemaine, Victoria, 16-18 October 2015.Other keynote speakers included Rob Hopkins, David Holmgren, and Helena Norberg-Hodge. Introduction Thank you for that introduction, Jacinta, good morning everyone. I would like to begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of this land and to recognise... read more

Oct 24, 2015 Posted by Samuel Alexander

$420 Tiny House out at Wurruk’an (Short Film)

Below you will see a short film of the latest ‘tiny house’ out at Wurruk’an, built for $420 out of reclaimed materials. The film was made by Happen Films in association with the Simplicity Institute. You can also see the film here. read more

Sep 26, 2015 Posted by Samuel Alexander

Sustained economic growth: United Nations mistake the poison for the cure

Below is my recent article in The Conversation: On the surface, the Sustainable Development Goals, soon to be confirmed by the United Nations, seem noble and progressive. They seek to free the human race from the tyranny of poverty and hunger while creating sustainable and resilient societies. But look beneath the surface of this pleasant rhetoric and one comes face to face with a far more ominous vision... 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.