Paradoxically, the greatest economic stimuli come with the rebuilding opportunities presented by wars, earthquakes, and other natural disasters

“Growth” is hailed by politicians, economists and the media as a panacea for all the worlds problems – poverty, hunger, disease, conflict, injustice, inequality, and even the environment.  We have been led to believe that without “economic stimulation” and “job creation” and the increases in “spending” and “consumption” which generate “growth” – we will not be content. And without the magical elixir of “growth” our quality of life will decline.

THE PREDICAMENT OF PROSPERITY

HIGH CONSUMPTION = PROSPERITY, which is desired, and FRIVOLITY, which is fun..! 

LOW CONSUMPTION = POVERTY, which is feared, and FRUGALITY, which is despised..!

 

We assume that any decline in ECONOMIC GROWTH and CONSUMPTION would mean a decline in living standards.

OA-Cities offer a practical solution to the seemingly intractable dilemma of…

 REDUCING HUMAN CONSUMPTION

whilst INCREASING HUMAN CONTENTMENT 

OACities will have a very high quality of life but a smaller GDP per capita than “normal”.  How can such a paradox be possible?