Quote Originally Posted by Williamsmith View Post
The idea of frugality killing the economy may be a little too simple an explanation. IDK I'm not an economist. I'm an observer. I observe this.

All of this happens right in plain view of all of us. The advertisers are very crafty at making you believe in their things. To me....when you say well it's easy we need to all just become frugal. Well, if you reduce your footprint....you need to do it because it's how you begin a revolution.

The answer is not looking outward and changing the world. It is looking inward and changing yourself.
What I'm saying (and maybe what you're saying too??) is that there seems to be a very self righteous attitude about growth being essential. That attitude is understandable coming from those at the top, but it's mystifying and, frankly, idiotic coming from those in the middle / bottom who keep giving more than they get. It IS essential for the system we're currently struggling with, but I think it's time to look beyond that system. Which begins with the individual, but at some point if we're going to stop the growth of resource disparity, the world attitude / process needs some change too.

ETA: the reason I eschew the calculators is not that I disagree with personal change, but almost the opposite; because this calculator seems designed to illustrate the idea that personal change is pointless.