Speaking Out at the Dinner Table 

Sometimes, I can't help but feeling that I'm
Living a life of illusion
And oh, why can't we let it be
And see through the hole in this wall of confusion
I just can't help but feeling I'm living a life of illusion

Pow, right between the eyes
Oh how nature loves her little surprises
Wow, it all seems so logical now
It's just one of her better disguises
And it comes with no warning, nature loves her little surprises
Continual crisis...

Hey, don't you know it's a waste of your day
Caught up in endless solutions
That have no meaning
Just another hunch, based upon jumping conclusions
Caught up in endless solutions
Backed up against a wall of confusion...

A Life of Illusion - Joe Walsh

Intro

How to you view your current (materially-based) status system in contrast to the list of “status” values now emerging from the new green movement?

What is considered a status symbol will differ between countries and states, based on the states of their economic and technological development, and common status symbols will change over time. Status symbols also indicate the cultural values of a society. For example, in a commercial society, having money or wealth and things that can be bought by wealth, such as cars, houses, or fine clothing, are considered status symbols. In a society that values honor or bravery, a battle scar would be more of a status symbol.

Consider where the notion of status comes from. Max Weber considered status groups. He defined status groups as communities that are based on ideas of proper lifestyles and the honor given to people by others. These value groups only existed because of people elevated and prioritized prestige and dishonor. Also, people in these swarms were only supposed to associate with people of like status, and all other people were seen as inferior. It could be generalized that western status values through the 1960’s, and up to 2008, are often defined by the monied class; in the minority, a hierarchical clique. Madison Avenue, perhaps?

In comparison, today green / sustainable communities are seen as value sets built on equalitarian and environmental priorities through collaborative processes and tools to promote a healthy earth and long-term living. “Greenies” tend to focus on environmental sustainability (including localized economic development and natural agriculture practices). Sustainable communities value the triple bottom line incorporating economic, environmental and spiritual practices.

What happens when the two status systems conflict?

Violence. Demonstrations. Uproar at the pumps. Family spats. New political parties. A national fight over a few barrels of oil in the coastal shelf and the Arctic Wildlife Refuge. The battle has already begun. There are many examples: look at the WTO riots in Seattle; People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals paint throwing events and the current anti-war demonstrations. The sustainable values camp is fighting to reverse years of privatized, corporate energy, food and social policies and provide alternatives to the status quo.

The shift away from big banks and oil to solar panels is one-part rejection and one part community fire; self-sacrifice as a bridge to the common good. There is another American/Global revolution underway. Who is in the watch tower?

Conclusion

The sustainability revolution is about re-distributing resources in a global shift to enlightened sharing. Greens are not for restricting individual choice or the end of capitalism, just a bottom-up, holistic evolution away from things to sharing and love and an ecology of accountability. Green status is not what we own as individuals but what we can share and nurture together.

The erupting value schism is an action-morality play. One group wears it; the other group lives it.

William Paul is a proactive business development partner and innovator for his clients and community – integrating full life cycle impact analysis, green values and sustainable outcomes through Green/sustainable services and civic participation. Find out more about William at Sustainable Business Strategies

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