What is the Equation E=C2?

by Eric Haase
(12/08/04)

   Electronic media visionary Marshall McLuhan stated "The medium is the message." Within the bounds of this web site, the message is the equation E=C2.

I formulated this equation to encapsulate the mission of The Conscious Consumers' Network.

   Whereas the variable E denotes the concept EnvironMENTALism as a way of humanity living in a harmonious, synergetic* relationship with the natural resource base which gives us sustenance, the equation relates this concept with "C", the variable for both Consciousness & Consumerism.

   The exponent two postulates that by marrying an expanded human consciousness (i.e. a consciousness that continuously seeks a more homeostatic relationship with the natural resource base in which it is interdependently contained), then we can balance our demands on the biosphere & experience exponentially positive results which become the byproduct of this equation).

   I capitalize the 'mental' part of the word environMENTALism to call attention to the fact that environMENTALism is a human concept in itself, & is therefore a product of consciousness or mental activity in & of itself. This puts the property of consciousness on both sides of the equation.

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    * synergy - Etymology: New Latin synergia, from Greek synergos working together
  1. The interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects.
  2. Cooperative interaction among groups, especially among the acquired subsidiaries or merged parts of a corporation, that creates an enhanced combined effect. similar to symbiosis & homeostasis in many aspects.

   As mathematics is a human abstraction of mental absolutes & as our current problems with planetary resources & the pollution produced in putting them to our use, being also a uniquely human phenomenon, we can postulate that these problems acan be met by a fundamental tweaking of aggregate human consciousness.

   I believe, that for every individual that begins to make even small symbiotic changes in their consumption behaviors, we will begin to experience exponentially positive results, because consumption behaviors are an ongoing biological requirement. You might say consumption (like the speed of light) is a constant.. (unless you stop breathing for considerable periods of time). If you do, let me know how, because air quality continues to drop as we burn petroleum. Hell, we've already been fooled into buying H20, O2 is the next corporate gold mine being staked.

   To sum up, I see the environmental problem as a uniquely human problem directly related to our 'unique within the universe (as far as we know) self-reflective consciousness that has stalled at a point of collective self gratification of the physical component of its existence. This fixation also continues to remove humankind from a relationship with the spirit (but I'll save that problem for another article). I contend the environmental challenges we face are solvable by small shifts in collective consciousness as it relates to the constant behavior of human consumption. Fixing the problem is do-able, but only by those who do it. (i.e. all of 'We The Consumers', but some more than others).

   The other living creatures of this planet do not have our self reflective consciousness, & neither do they manufacture macro, (i.e. planetary) problems.. (unless you count the problems caused by the animals we artificially raise for slaughter in quenching our meat-centric diet. Again, humans do that; (Can't blame the cows. So don't be a pig led to the slaughter.. ( as Perry Farrell put it; a "Pig In Zen.") Change your mind & we can change the world.

   In writing that last section I'm reminded of the simple concept from the movie "Pay It Forward". Maybe someone out there should do a web site that puts that concept into action. ;->
Now that you know the equation, Wear it. Be the revolution, spread the consciousness..

'E=C2' organic cotton T-shirts & other Swag. I'm designing other C2 gear, so Sign up for the e-mail group for updates.

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