Intelligence Squared
Why We Need to Slow Down to Save the Planet, with Kohei Saito
Apr 6, 2024
Kohei Saito, a Japanese philosopher and author of the bestseller 'Slow Down,' discusses the urgent need to shift from growth-centric economic models to sustainable practices. Joined by writer Adam McCauley, they explore class struggles and environmental disparities post-Fukushima, critique capitalist technology's inadequacies in addressing climate challenges, and promote 'degrowth communism' as a radical response. They highlight community well-being over individual wealth and advocate for grassroots movements to drive transformative societal change toward sustainability.
57:56
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Quick takeaways
- De-growth communism offers a radical solution to climate crisis by redefining societal values beyond profit-driven capitalism.
- Transitioning towards de-growth communism involves decommodifying essential goods, abandoning GDP as the sole progress measure, and fostering equitable societies.
Deep dives
Origins of the Book 'Slow Down'
Kohei Saito discusses the origins of his book 'Slow Down,' tracing back to his experience during the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011. This event led him to reconceptualize the inequalities present not only between classes under capitalism but also between urban and rural areas. Saito's exploration of Karl Marx's ecological theories highlighted the unsustainable nature of capitalism's profit-centric focus, leading him to formulate ideas of de-growth communism as a solution to combat climate destruction.
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