Submitted by carl on Mon, 2006-07-10 18:00.
Daily Dialogue Blog Entries
David Crockett, a sustainability advocate and a Tennessean in the direct lineage of that Davey Crockett, used to say that whenever people set out on a project together, the first thing they need to know is where "Montana" is--"Montana" being their shared destination.
For years, "sustainability" (or "sustainable development") has been our destination, but these are fuzzy and often misleading terms. The fact is, there's been a lot of embedded confusion about where our Montana is. To make matters worse, what definitions have gained currency have been partial ... incomplete. The non-material dimension has been largely overlooked, even by definitions that were otherwise compelling and robust.
This is why it's such a treat for me to be blogging this dialogue. Michael Ben-Eli has aspired to be truly inclusive in his approach to sustainability. He also designed it (if I understand Michael correctly) with an eye toward its potential to serve as the sustainability community's "Montana." What this means is that this is one of those conversations that can make a real difference. I'm honored to be part of it, and join with Michael and my friends at the Buckminster Fuller Institute in welcoming all participants, and in thanking you for your interest and commitment.