And if your problem is with focusing on only the most-consuming 20% of the population, you (and Brian) are talking about U.S. population. Could it be Brian was referring to 20% of the world’s population? I don’t recall.

Thanks for bringing more attention to this book.

Dave Gardner
Producing the documentary
Hooked on Growth: Our Misguided Quest for Prosperity
http://www.growthbusters.org

I believe he does hit somewhat of a realistic idea of what a social revolution in the US would have to look like, roughly, or what it would need to succeed at current (or 1998) levels. Perhaps he avoids the topic of an international view in order to focus on the US – the biggest, baddest consumers of them all. If we recognized the need for a steady state, that would be a big international development (not to discount other countries, any of whom would be just as big of a deal).

Sure, most Americans are using way more than their fare share (in a global sustainability view), but in a social revolution you must make some account for relativity. I would infer that Brian’s meaning is to start the ball rolling, using the majority of the US (who, relative to the US, make less, consume less, than the “fat cats” in power). Hopefully this will inspire more reflection in our consumption and once the ball is rolling it can push us all to a lower consumption, more sustainable lifestyle.

I was inspired by the concept of a social revolution, though I would agree more with your view points on the necessary scale that Brian doesn’t really hit, I still think Brian’s overall view is a good one. Of course, I did name my blog after his concept of a “Steady State Revolution.”

Great review, Jeremy! And nice work getting the “hat tip” from nef’s recent blog post! http://bit.ly/9v5pxq

Cheers,
Joshua