Finding Ourselves at a Crossroad

Authors

Diane Osgood, Ph.D.

Where are we? Are we out of the recession? Are we into a depression?

The contradictory and incomplete economic data we currently have provides ample reason to feel uncertain about where we stand in the global economy. This nebulous data feeds our vacillating moods as we search for touchstones—scanning for clues from recessions past or confirmation that we are truly in a time of “reset”.

Recently a small and diverse group* gathered in San Francisco to determine what even the latest and greatest GPS can’t do for us: tell us where we are right now.

We devised a simple matrix to plot our location points (see image). On one axis is a continuum of perspective: Are we looking at the past for solutions, or are we truly embracing that this is a new economic era? On the other axis is a continuum of how we treat the physical boundaries of our planet. At one extreme is a pure utilitarian approach in which the earth is here for our exploitation and consequences to the planet remain externalities to our decisions. At the other extreme is the Gaia Theory, which views the earth as a living organism, capable of shaking our pesky human species off her surface if we continue to provoke the long list of abuses: climate change, biodiversity loss, ocean acidification, etc. The Gaia perspective leads to a need for strong action that brings about a low-carbon economy, regulation of natural resource use, and forced integration of the “true cost” of that usage into our accountability.

So where are we, right now? Smack in the middle.

We are neither ready to fully jump into the unknown of a new economic reality, nor are we really convinced deep down that this is ‘just like 1929’. Yet we understand at some (perhaps unconscious) level, that we need to start treating the planet like the good hostess she is. After all, it’s been an almighty party.

But right now, as a collective conscious, we are on the fence. Sitting tight. Waiting. For what?

The following people participated in developing this concept:

• David Abernethy, Institute for International Studies, Stanford University
• Lesley Evers, Graphic Recorder
• Elina Lanchulev, Deloitte
• John Kao, Institute for Large Scale Innovation
• Pam Kramer, ITP International
• Scotty McLennan, Office of Religious Life, Stanford University
• Diane Osgood, Business for Social Responsibility
• Sean Randolph, Bay Area Council Economic Institution
• Darla Spiers, Institute for Large Scale Innovation
• Tom Singer, Psychoanalyst