Deciding the Universe is Friendly

Ann Manning, Cohort J

Ann Manning of Cohort J shared this lovely reflection from Albert Einstein on the value of choosing to believe in a friendly universe.

The quote came to her via iJourney.org,  a project of ServiceSpace.org, an organization which may interest many of you if you are not already subscribers.

Is the Universe Friendly?

by Albert Einstein

 "I think the most important question facing humanity is, ‘Is the universe a friendly place?’ This is the first and most basic question all people must answer for themselves. 

"For if we decide that the universe is an unfriendly place, then we will use our technology, our scientific discoveries and our natural resources to achieve safety and power by creating bigger walls to keep out the unfriendliness and bigger weapons to destroy all that which is unfriendly and I believe that we are getting to a place where technology is powerful enough that we may either completely isolate or destroy ourselves as well in this process.

"If we decide that the universe is neither friendly nor unfriendly and that God is essentially ‘playing dice with the universe’, then we are simply victims to the random toss of the dice and our lives have no real purpose or meaning.

"But if we decide that the universe is a friendly place, then we will use our technology, our scientific discoveries and our natural resources to create tools and models for understanding that universe. Because power and safety will come through understanding its workings and its motives."

"God does not play dice with the universe,"

--Albert Einstein

Kristen McKee of Cohort J writes:


"Here is an article on the UN Happiness summit that I came across today. 


I especially like this quote:

'So here is a dilemma: The way the realm of goods and services expands is by transforming nature and social relationships – the very things that the World Happiness Report cites as essential to happiness – into products and services. In order to keep the financial system functioning, we are destroying the basis of human well-being.'"

Mother's Day Op Ed by Riane Eisler and Shireen Mitchell

Hello conversation leaders,

I know you will enjoy this post by Riane Eisler and Shireen Mitchell on the real worth of motherhood:

http://www.caringeconomy.org/blog/whats-mothers-worth

- Sara

Vermont Takes the Lead on Alternative Measures of Economic Health

More good news!!!

Kim Tso, Cohort K

Ellen Snortland shared this story from Vermont (which she got from Kimberly Tso, also of Cohort K) that shows how


VERMONT ESTABLISHES A GENUINE PROGRESS INDICATOR, BLAZES A PATH FOR MEASURING WHAT MATTERS



Here's a quote from the article that gives you a flavor:


"In the twenty-first century, progress will increasingly depend on expanding and protecting our human, social, and environmental wealth. With its adoption of this alternative measurement system for the state, Vermont is setting a new path for responsible governance and effective decision-making in support of shared and sustainable prosperity. This is an important step forward for Vermonters and a great example for the rest of the country."

Ellen Snortland, Cohort K

As Ellen so eloquently put it:  "The glacier has moved!!!"

News from Andre Cardoso

Andre Cardoso

The exceptional Andre Cardoso from Cohort E (Fall, 2011) writes:

Hi Sara,

I just attended a lecture by Joe Hall at a sustainability conference being held at my university in Sweden. He is the head of the campaign for Eradicating Ecocide. ...  I think that the campaign is very aligned with the Caring Economics Campaign's goal of recognizing the inherent value of the natural world.

Ecocide is defined as “the extensive destruction, damage to or loss of

ecosystem(s) of a given territory, whether by human agency or by other causes, to such an extent that peaceful enjoyment by the inhabitants of that territory has been severely diminished.” The campaign is to make ecocide a crime recognized by the International Criminal Court alongside crimes like genocide and crimes of aggression so that offenders can be tried and put to justice, and also so that corporations will have more incentive to take care of the environments where they are doing business. Here's the website for the campaign:

www.eradicatingecocide.com

I'm also happy to report that Erin, the head of the club that helped arranged my Caring Economics Conversation last October, has arranged for Dr. Eisler to come and speak at the college in California that I attended. It's scheduled for next month.

Also, I'm attaching a picture of the new mural that the club will be putting on the Social Sciences building at the college. I'm happy to say that was instrumental in helping to get the project OK'd by the administration. I think the message of the mural really speaks to the idea of caring economics so I figured you might like to see it and pass it on to anyone else who might enjoy it.

Best regards,

Andre Cardoso

Thanks Andre for staying in touch and keeping us posted on these wonderful connections and activities!  - Sara

Movie Review that Plugs the Caring Economy Leadership Program

Hi Everyone -

Ellen Snortland, Cohort K

Check out how Ellen Snortland (Cohort K) worked a plug for the Caring Economy Leadership Program into a mother's day movie review of the documentary "Erasing Hate" published in the Pasadena Weekly.

Thanks Ellen!  What a great review!

http://www.pasadenaweekly.com/cms/story/detail/erasing_hate/11213/

How about double pay for moms returning to work?

Holy Moly, this is so cool!

Kimberly Berg, Cohort J

Here's an article shared by Kimberly Berg, of Cohort J, about an Australian company that has instituted a policy offering double pay to women returning from maternity leave for their first six weeks back.

Australian Company Rewards Returning Moms

This is an AWESOME fresh new example of what caring economics looks like in the business world to share with people you talk with.

Thanks Kimberly!

Hi everyone,

Molly Freeman shared with us this excellent pair of reports from the Center for American Progress that make the economic case for Paid Family Leave and Caregiving Credits, and include a set of proposals for policy changes that are needed to support caregivers.


The Effects of Paid Family and Medical Leave on Employment Stability and Economic Security:  More and More Workers Need Time Off to Care for a Loved One http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2012/04/paid_family_leave.html



Protecting Workers and Their Families with Paid Family Leave and Caregiving Credits:  Why Social Security Should Guard Against 21st Century Economic Insecurities  http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2012/04/gender_equity.html


See what you think!

- Sara

Need Practicum Photos, Please Help if You Can!

Dear Conversation Leaders,

Some wonderful videographers are making a short Caring Economy video for the Caring Economy Campaign, and would love to include images from your practicum presentations, or of other activities you've done since being certified.

I've shared with them all the pictures I have on file, but they need large, high-resolution images of about 1MB in size.

If you have a picture of a Caring Economy conversation you've led - preferably showing people engaging with something visibly related to the program (seeing slides, or holding up handouts) - and you can save it as a large, high resolution file, please send it to me at your earliest convenience at sasaltee@gmail.com.

Thanks so much - I know we will all benefit from access to a short video that quickly and poignantly introduces what the Caring Economy Campaign is all about!

Best to each and all,
Sara

Molly Freeman responds to recent Money magazine article

Caring Economics Leadership Program graduates are on a roll!

Molly Freeman of Cohort D submitted this engaging response to a recent article in Money magazine that focused strictly on the earnings potential or "return on investment" of today's college degrees.  To read the article, click here: College costs: Time to rethink

Her response (username "EmFreem"):  Your Econ 101 Chart illustrates our national disconnect of corporate sustainability from sustainability for the community and environment.  Petroleum spills, exposure to hazardous materials, and disastrous accidents extract huge costs to people, communities and the environment.  Investments in human capacity building are the best ways to build the national economy and quality of life for individuals. Early childhood care and education build competent individuals capable of sustaining themselves and their communities.... a huge resource for innovation and economic well-being. How ironic that in your attempt to lead people to higher wage occupations you actually confirm how current social policy is leading people to short-sighted personal goals, self-destructive to themselves and national security.  In a more sustainable economy your Chart could read:

Early Childhood education - $120,000
K12 education - $120,000
Physicians/Nurses/Counselors/Psychologists - $120,000-100,000
Math/Computer Science - $100,000
Pharmaceutical Sciences- $90,000
Petroleum Engineering - $40,000

Great work, Molly!  Keep the momentum building, everyone!