By Hank Stone

The most effective work we can do for society is to describe the positive future we want.  We need to imagine, and lead, where we want society to go.

Society has become stuck.  Yet many imagine that life will continue as it has, indefinitely.  Population growth has not (so far) interfered with prosperity.  Exploitation of oil has made us prosperous.  The war system continues to be accepted and profitable.  Climate collapse still mostly affects others.  And government has survived mismanagement before.

The rich disproportionally own the government.  Thus, despite “heat domes,” floods, forest fires, atmospheric CO₂, unprecedented storms, and anticipated sea level rise, the government continues to subsidize oil companies.  Despite the Gaza genocide, the government doubles down on militarism and military spending.  We can’t let go of nuclear weapons. 

Advertisers and the media still endorse business as usual.  Lots of people are distressed, but see no way out.  No new story has been made real for them.  The story of these times:

Our capitalist society is a CATERPILLAR, blindly and unsustainably eating through natural and social resources.  Growth!  Productivity!  Profits!  Always more!

Many wanting a safe, just and sustainable future put hope in ADJUSTMENTS.  If we can only elect the right candidate, pass the right law, demonstrate for human rights, call our Congresspersons, we can adjust the system.  This is a false hope: The problem is systemic and not fixable by band-aids or adjustments. 

Our money-driven government is broken.  But government can’t be fixed while banks, corporations, investors, the media, and we ourselves can’t face the truth:  Caterpillar consumption endangers our national, and our human, future.  We cannot “adjust” the caterpillar to become the butterfly.  It must be TRANSFORMED.

In the cocoon, the caterpillar is destroyed from within, dissolving into a soup of nutrients.  From that soup, “imaginal” cells assemble themselves into the butterfly.  For a positive human future to emerge from today’s society, new thinking is required.  We must be the imaginal cells for the future society we want.

Our BUTTERFLY society is peaceful, sustainable, just and beautiful! It deserves to be created! Now, many find it impossible to imagine.  But a lot of thought has been given to building the butterfly future. Blueprints for the butterfly (though mostly incomplete) abound.

The butterfly future, with peace, justice and sustainability, must be for EVERYONE.  An island of good, whether small as a neighborhood or big as a country, is unsustainable.  Our honest intent must be to materially benefit everyone on Earth, or we will not earn, or deserve, the support needed to succeed.  Listen for new Butterfly thinking.  When it speaks to you, take your place in the new butterfly order.

The most effective work we can do for society is to describe the positive future we want. 

February 5, 2025   Hank Stone   hstone@rochester.rr.com   One Page Perspective #12

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This is one of a series of One Page Perspectives, prepared by members of the Knit Club. We are friends who meet bi-weekly by zoom, to discuss a new, more cooperative future we see trying to be born.

These One Page Perspectives are intended to share things we have learned; briefly, clearly, and without political or religious agendas. They are presented as something to think about, and ideally to talk over with people you know.

We invite you to share the Pages as you see fit.  Anyone may subscribe (for free), simply by returning an email with “subscribe” (or “unsubscribe”) in the subject line.

Thanks for your interest!

Hank Stone   hstone@rochester.rr.com