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Slow Knowledge

local and global (exploitation of local resources)

The popular slogan “Think global, act local” urges people to consider the well-being of the entire planet and to take action in their own communities and cities. Long before governments began actively enforcing environmental laws, individuals were coming together to protect habitats and the organisms that live within them. These efforts, referred to as grassroots effort, often occur on a local level and are primarily run by volunteers and helpers. Although originally present only at the grassroots level, these transformed into global concept with high importance, including not only local communities, but also corporations, governments, and education system.

Besides environmental issues concerning local versus global there are also crucial economic viewpoints. These include reinforcement of the local economy by supporting local businesses, farms, for example buying local fruits and vegetables instead of imported ones. Buying local is not only better for the planet but one also gets to help supporting one’s neighbors and strengthening the local economy.

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Slow Knowledge

alternative life strategies

We live faster, travel more, and buy more things. The present day, marked by the rapid development of technology and consumption-oriented societies, is more and more characterized by fast pace of life, with stress and rush. Life today is filled with grave contradictions: throughout human history the majority of people have never lived so long and in such good health, surrounded by such a tremendous wealth of goods. Still, nowadays we are forced to face problems like the negative consequences of urbanization, endangering our natural environment and biodiversity, impersonalization of human relationships, and increasing social disparities.  

Globalisation has brought us certain guidelines as how to behave in this world. However, there are countless actions and strategies confronting the prevailing, mainstream” way of living and doing things. These alternative endeavours manifest themselves at the individual level. There are many alternative life strategies. These are not specified, they may take different forms and means – depending on whether it is everyday life, work, an attitude, or beliefs. They might cover a wide range from growing one’s own vegetables in the living room to abandoning one’s home and moving to a house truck instead. The range of the alternative life strategies is endless; the point is to follow one’s needs, one’s heart, and to be in harmony with oneself.