Economics is as simple as it is complex.
Being There
In the American classic “Being There” a simple-minded gardener with absolutely no street-sense is thrust into the social upper crust elite Washington society.. He innocently talks about the only thing he knows anything about, gardening. The aristocratic people around him mistake his quotes regarding, planting, seasons, soil, water etc. as profound metaphors regarding economic trends. Not sure if the writer realized the profound lesson in his book which later became a very successful almost cult movie.
Quick personal review,; despite the slow beginning, it is one of the best movies of all time. Many gave it 5 stars
The Tangible Portion of the Economy (goods minus the services)
Everything physical thing that has been sold, whether harvested, mined, constructed, manufactured, resold and eventually disposed of or recycled, comes from the earth. Just look around wherever you are. Unless you are out in the forest, each and every tangible item in view flowed through many parts of the economy and created jobs for many people. In other words this planet is our cash cow.
Perhaps we are selling, for example, dried dandelion flowers made into a decorative sculpture. We need to protect all the ingredients needed to produce that finished product. The soil, air and water all contribute to the profitability of the finished product.
Like it or not, environmental protection is intrinsically bound up in the economy.
Economic growth now and for future generations is especially relevant. The definition of cash cow is; a business, investment, or product that provides a steady income or profit. We can overwork our cash cow for a while and get fast profits, but if she burns out and collapses, we are left with nothing.
The reality is that we need to perceive and relate to this planet as a compassionate gardener would to his garden. A garden is an organic living entity that requires tending and nurturing. The garden is a microcosm of the earth.
With the foresight knowing that its output is dependent on the health and wellness we maintain; The garden will thrive.
For most of history people did not recognize that the earth / garden is a closed and finite system. It was considered inexhaustible and indestructible. Businesses considered only the short term benefits regarding the tangible financial system.
Today business and government realize that both short and long term economic growth depends on practicing the sound principles of a caring gardener.
Follow the Money
We’ve all been subjected to a lifetime of promotion / publicity / hype / advertising / propaganda campaigns from every direction. The wealthy sources have done such a good job, we don’t even realize we’ve been conditioned not to question the validity of these campaigns.
Think you’ve been there, done that? “Being there” means letting go of the preconceptions that has been ingrained in our minds. Thinking like a simpleton has many advantages. Economics is both complex and in any ways, simpler that you think. Like a garden it just need water, sunshine, and the solid foundations of common sense in the soil.
BTW this is a natural insecticide that really works
In conclusion, environmental improvement and economic growth are not in opposition with each other, they strengthen each other. By the way…. If you haven yet seen “Being There” I strongly recommend it.
