The denial of limits and interior aspects of descent

• Published in: Foresight (Cambridge) 2014-01, Vol.16 (6), p.527-549
• Main Author: Slaughter, Richard A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Collapse; Criteria; Descent; Economics; Information technology; Infrastructure; Planets; Tracking
• ISSN: 1463-6689
• DOI: 10.1108/FS-10-2013-0059

Purpose - The purposes of this paper are as follows. Part one examines the role of denialism in the context of proposals advanced through the much-abused Limits to Growth (LtG) project. Part two uses three sets of criteria (domains of reality, worldviews and values) to characterise some of the interior human and social aspects of the "denial machine." It uses these criteria to address some vital, but currently under-appreciated "interior" aspects of descent. (N.B. A succinct "primer" or overview of the concept an underpinning rationale for notions of "descent pathways" is provided in the introduction to this special issue.) Design/methodology/approach - The paper draws on a number of authoritative sources that track the dimensions of global change and, specifically, the ways that humanity is tracking towards Dystopian overshoot-and-collapse futures. The significance of the LtG project is assessed in this context. Part two employs the criteria noted above to identify and open out the centrality of the human and cultural interiors. Findings - Responses to the LtG project are shown to have deprived humanity of the clarity and will to respond effectively to the emerging global emergency. The rise of climate change denialism has followed suit and made effective responses increasingly difficult. A new focus, however, on some of the dynamics of reality domains, worldviews and values, clarifies both the nature of the problem and prefigures a range of solutions, some of which are briefly outlined. Research limitations/implications - This is primarily a conceptual paper that suggests a range of practical responses. For example, re-purposing parts of the current information technology (IT) infrastructure away from financial and economic indices to those tracking the health of the planet. Also translating the case put forward here for a new generation of Institutions of Foresight (IoFs) into real-world start-ups and examples. Further research is needed into the uses and limitation, both of positive and negative views of futures. It is suggested that the latter have more value than is commonly realised. Practical implications - In addition to those stated above, the practical implications include new uses for IT infrastructure based on worldcentric - rather than financial and economic worldviews; designing and implementing a new generation of IoFs; and finding new ways to inform the public of impending Dystopian outcomes without exacerbating avoidance and depression. S