Economic literacy - The road out of the rat race

Inspiration from: the Economics of Happiness

While doing some research for a friend on new economic ideas I found my way to a website called the Economics of Happiness (http://www.theeconomicsofhappiness.org/). The site promotes a documentary by film of the same name by Helena Norberg-Hodge, Steven Gorelick & John Page. Those with alternate green thumbs and fingers will probably already be well-versed in Helena's earlier films and books. 

On the above website there is not only a short youtube intro to the documentary but also some very interesting interviews from American TV, especially the GRITtv interview. On this, Norberg-Hodge talks about the only way out of the quicksand being that we all need to be economically literate. That is our main responsibility. That this type of literacy is important before doing anything else. Yesterday, while out on a track with my walking companion Harvey, we were talking about the need to not only make informed decisions, but also know where we are getting that information from. Information needs to come first but then action must follow it up and changing lightbulbs, switching to unleaded petrol and shopping at a particular retail outlet is not going to fix the world economy. And as good as an idea it is and a lot of fun, a veggie patch in the back yard won't cut the Dijon .mustard either

The dvd 'The Economics of Happiness' is available on the website listed above. The film is also available on the website as a community movie event and I would like to promote the presentation of the ideas in this film to any small, medium or large town anywhere on this planet who have had enough and want to make a real difference to their personal and combined futures.

I am at once inspired and grateful for people like Helena Norberg-Hodge, Steven Gorelick & John Page. But I am also thankful for people like you and me who have the capacity to network and action their amazing ideas across the planet just like we are now. Go economic literacy!

Host a screening

Please visit our Community Screenings Page if you would like to organize a community screening, include the film in a film festival, or screen the film at an institution.

Click HERE to download the event organizer kit.

Screenings in UK / Europe

3 May - South London, UK

South London Pedal-Powered Screening!

When: 7:30 pm, Tuesday, 3 May

Where: The Hideaway, 2 Empire Mews, Streatham, UK

Post-film comments by Nic Marks of New Economics Foundation

Co-Sponsored by the Magnificent Revolution and Sustainable Streatham

8 May - Hastings, East Sussex, UK

When: 4:00 pm, Sunday, 8 May

Where: Electric Palace Cinema, 39a High Street, Hastings, East Sussex, UK

For tickets (£5), click here.

12 May - Swindon, Wiltshire, UK

When: 8:00 pm, Thursday, 12 May

Where: Arts Centre, Devizes Road, Swindon, UK

Part of the Swindon Festival of Literature

Co-sponsored by Swindon Climate Action Network and the Swindon Film Society.

For reservations: tel 01793 614837

15 May - Ealing, London, UK

When: 7:30 pm, Sunday, 15 May

Where: St. Mary's Church, St. Mary's Road, Ealing, London

Sponsored by Ealing Transition Initiative

19 May - Frome, Somerset, UK

When: 7:45 pm, Thursday, May 19

Where: Merlin Theatre, Bath Road, Frome, Somerset, UK

Tickets £5/£3 concessions.

20 May - East Bridgford, Nottingham, UK

When: 6:00 pm, Friday, 20 May

Where: East Bridgford Hill, 4 Kirk Hill, East Bridgford, Nottingham, UK

Screened along with second film, "Living Downstream".

£7.50 adults, children free, students 50% concessions.

Sponsored by Sustainable Environmental Living for the Future (SELF) Festival.

20 May - High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, UK

When: 7:30 pm, Friday, 20 May

Where: Bucks New University, High Wycombe, UK

Discussion with MP Steve Baker follows the film.

Sponsored by:  Transition Town High Wycombe

29 May - Antwerp, Belgium

When: 5:00 pm, Sunday, 29 May

Where: World Cultures Centre Zuiderpershuis, Waalsekaai 14, Antwerp, Belgium.

Part of the The Green Book – a festival on green books and documentary films.

Sponsored by Oikos.

3 June - Chalfont St. Peter, Buckinghamshire, UK

When:  8:00 pm, Friday, 3 June

Where:  Chalfont St. Peter Church Hall, Church Lane, Chalfont St. Peter, Buckinghamshire, UK

Sponsored by Change4Chalfont