New Bill McKibben Book “Deep Economy” Hits Shelves This Month

New Bill McKibben Book “Deep Economy” Hits Shelves This Month

As soon as I get my hands on this one, I’ll get up a review. Looks like it will be right up my alley, and come to think of it, most of our writers and readers alleys too!

From his website:

In my new book, Deep Economy, I’ve set out to challenge the prevailing view of our economy. For the first time in human history, “more” is no longer synonymous with “better”—indeed, for many of us, they have become almost opposites. I want us to think in new ways about the things we buy, the food we eat, the energy we use, and the money that pays for it all. Our purchases need not be at odds with the things we truly value.

The time has come to move beyond “growth” as the paramount economic ideal and begin pursuing prosperity in a more local direction, with cities, suburbs, and regions producing more of their own food, generating more of their own energy, and even creating more of their own culture and entertainment.

This idea seems to be permeating all different sects of environmentalists, peak oilers, the simple living/frugal crowd, and recently even the cover of Time magazine. The title “Deep Economy” reminded me of Kareem Abdul Jabbar’s analogy at TED this year. Via My heart’s in Accra:

One of Kareem’s opening analogies is to bamboo, which grows deep before it grows tall. He tells us that he wants to be seven feet deep, not just seven feet tall. The range of his interests suggests that he may well be.

Emphasis mine. I think that this might be what McKibben is getting at. We don’t need to grow our economy “taller” we need to grow it “deeper”.

A positive note right off of the bat: McKibben’s website encourages his readers to purchase this book through their local independent bookseller.

Purchase A Copy of Deep Economy From Your Local Bookseller:
One of the points of this book, and my work in general, is the need for strong local communities, which in turn require strong local businesses. Independent bookstores are among the backbones of many communities, and you’ll be able to locate one near you. They should have Deep Economy in stock, or be able to order it easily.

I encourage everyone to seek this book out (locally).