On the Way with George Thompson On the Way #25: Humanity's Next Beautiful Chapter with Nate Hagens
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Jul 28, 2025 Nate Hagens, a systems thinker and host of The Great Simplification, delves into the urgent need for humanity to rethink its priorities. He challenges the myth of endless growth, advocating for a culture centered on community, emotional connection, and ecological sustainability. The conversation touches on the complexities of energy consumption, the potential of renewable sources, and the necessity of humility inspired by Taoism. Hagens emphasizes the importance of collective action and the joy found in simple living to navigate the crises we face.
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Economy Ignores Energy and Ecology
- Economic and political lenses dominate our worldviews, overshadowing vital foundations like energy and ecology.
- Fossil energy underpins modern society, yet its environmental and biological impacts are often ignored.
Mismatch of Behavior and Economy
- Human behavior evolved for ancient environments clashes with a modern tech society producing dopamine rewards without effort.
- Economic growth prioritizes energy consumption, but above a threshold, more GDP doesn't increase well-being.
Renewables Not True Replacement
- Solar and wind aren't truly renewable due to complex manufacturing and limited recycling.
- Transitioning to renewables won't replace fossil fuel energy scale without massive material demands and downsizing.
