| TITLE / ABSTRACT |
PERSISTENT URL (Deep Blue archive) |
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| 1. Localization: Premise and precis |
http://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/83442 |
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| To thrive on this planet, we must prepare for a descent in overall resource availability. This emerging biophysical reality is inevitable. It is not altered by political debate or market forces, nor will denial or inattention make it disappear. What is not inevitable, however, is the nature of our response. One plausible response, called localization, has unexpected and positive aspects that emerge from the efforts of behavioral entrepreneurs. |
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| 2. Localization: A brief definition |
http://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/86654
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| Definitions tend to be slippery things, they can as easily misdirect or constrain thought as they can enlighten it. Offered here is a tentative definition of what localization involves. It surely will evolve over time, particularly as we get more instances of its practical application. |
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| 3. Localization: Restoring mental vitality in an endangered world |
http://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/83484 |
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| Responding to climate disruption and resource descent requires behavior change on a massive scale. Many skills are needed to respond well to the coming downshift but none more central than the abilities to cleverly problem-solve, plan and manage our behavior, and handle the emotions coming from losing an affluent lifestyle. These abilities require a mental state called vitality. Managing and restoring this capacity are preconditions to downshifting successfully. |
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| 4. Localization: Motivating transition with a conservation aesthetic |
http://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/86728 |
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| Encouraging people to transition to durable living might be done using a variety of psychological strategies. However, engaging people in ways that help them to flourish during what will likely be a long and challenging process is better accomplished by focusing on their inner transition, intrinsic satisfactions and beauty rather than bluster. |
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| 5. Localization: Slow change for a durable transition |
http://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/88161 |
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| Some people despair at the unsustainability of human behavior; however, such despair may come from taking far too narrow and pessimistic a view of human nature. Behavior change does happen but lasting change happens only slowly. Since the problems we face are urgent, such slow-to-change behavior can give rise to frustration. But, in fact, the opposite response is needed from us; we need to be patient. The transition we face must be done well the first time with the changes made durable; it is unlikely we will get a second chance. |
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| 6. Localization: Adaptive muddling |
http://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/48163 |
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| Understanding the need for localization is not the same as knowing what steps to take and how to take them. To respond well to an energy and resource descent, and climate disruption, a great many small experiments must be conducted, and very quickly. Adaptive muddling is a process that innovates rapidly yet carefully. It emphasizes small experiments, not the small steps common in more formal procedures. The difference is subtle but important for a successful transition. This paper, focused on averting the tragedy of the commons, introduces adaptive muddling as a psychologically compatible decision-making strategy. |
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| 7. Localization: Small experiments |
http://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/ |
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| The circumstances being faced are urgent, some global, many overwhelming. It would seem that only large responses will suffice. But this is a version of the homeopathic delusion (Berry 2011): here that only large solutions can respond to large problems. The notion of small experiments is a counter argument. It points out the benefit and efficacy of small scale efforts, of having modest expectations and of understanding the fact that humans are native and highly-motivated problem-solvers. |
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LOCALIZATION PAPERS List of recent papers
