March 17, 2023

Economics

Ecologists take a nuanced, evidence-based approach to intervening in complex adaptive systems. This is how complexity thinking could reboot our approach to public policy.

Illustration by Claire Scully for Aeon

Ecology, by Midjourney

"Like ecologies, economies are complex adaptive systems. They exhibit feedback loops, delays, adaptation, path dependence, nonlinearity, emergent phenomena and — importantly — people.

"Economics is a social science. As the renowned physicist Murray Gell-Mann once quipped, 'Imagine how hard physics would be if electrons could think!'” - Kasey Klimes

ARTICLE: Designing an Economy Like an Ecologist

Economics

Economies built on mutuality can reshape the rules of the system itself.

BOOK: Solidarity Economics: Why Mutuality and Movements Matter

Economics

The bill comes due: biophysical limits are becoming more obvious to more people

ARTICLE: The Biophysical Phase Shift

Economics

How can we learn from Indigenous wisdom and ecological systems to reimagine currencies of exchange?

ARTICLE: The Serviceberry. An Economy of Abundance

Economics

Making secondhand shopping feel stylish and enjoyable

‍ARTICLE: How Sweden’s ‘Secondhand Only’ Shopping Mall is Changing Retail