Wessels defines the idea of a ruling paradigm, and the necessity of a change for the continuation of a livable planet and flourishing population. All of the books we are reading refer to the various hindrances to, and possible solutions for, the return of an ecologically conscious world life style. In the Myth of Progress; Wessels puts forth the widely regarded idea of the importance of decreasing consumer consumption. In the first chapters of their Green Guide Suzuki and Boyd further this idea, and present easily implemented actions an individual can undertake to move toward a “greener” existence. Then in Cradle to Cradle; McDonough and Braungart propose a different kind of solution. They propose that the emphasis on consumer change shift to that of an emphasis on the industry to change.
In Nick Garcia's third blog he brings up the fascinating remarks of Paolo Soleri. On the page before the opening of the introduction to Thinking in Systems; Meadows quotes Robert Pirsig, from his Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintainencem. Both of theses thoughts refer to the difficulties of a paradigm shift. Removing individual parts of a problem does not necessarily quantify to a solution. Meadows illustrates it is all about the system, not so much its parts, but their interactions as a whole. Our current unsustainable ruling paradigm is just that: a complex system of functioning, interconnected elements. For our paradigm to shift it is imperative for us to (as fully as possible) understand the complete system we are working to improve and evolve. The linear approach to problem solving, though far from being unhelpful, seems to be the dominant one in the mass “green” culture. From the information I've gleaned so far from in particular, Wessels and Meadows, it looks as though the solution for finding a functioning and sustainable future can found. The end solution is likely not to be about fixing the specific elements that arise as we run across them. More important is looking at the complete system, defining the feedback loops, and identifying the root problems. As this process is undertaken, it will likely be the work and ideas of individuals like Wessels, Suzuki and McDonough that will enable us, as a species, to cope in the meantime.