Blinded by Progress: Breaking Out of the Illusion That Holds Us - Paperback

by Lee Van Ham (Author)

Blinded by Progress is a work of keen observation, a great deal of scholarship and an abiding care for living beings. There were many paths that we might have taken in the past that would have led to a better world than the one we inhabit. Lee Van Ham's writing delineates a path going forward that does not repeat the illusions of progress. I hope it opens many eyes.
- Paul Hawken, entrepreneur, environmentalist, and author of Blessed Unrest and Natural Capitalism

Lee has written a book that is a hair-on-fire call to action to free ourselves from our folly of only looking at Me and moving us to We... Pronto. - Will Marré, Founder, The American Dream Project

Turning the pages of Lee Van Ham's new narrative nonfiction book, Blinded by Progress, releases that "ah-hah" feeling we have when truth breaks out of illusion.

Blinded by Progress shows why MultiEarth living-living as if we have more than one Earth-grips us so tightly despite the inevitable apocalyptic consequences of living beyond our planet's capacities. It addresses the seemingly simple, yet elusive question, "Why do we continue to pursue economic growth as if it is economic health when continued growth is ecologically impossible?" Are proponents of continued growth sinister or unconscious? Do we prefer blind faith to the obvious eyes-open truth?

The author discloses how he unwittingly came under the spell of MultiEarth living and then, as his consciousness shifted, how he began reshaping his life to OneEarth living-a project in process. Readers will follow along with the personal quest of the author, and come to new, life-giving decisions about their own MultiEarth vs. OneEarth choices.

Blinded by Progress makes special contributions to the global conversation now underway about sustainable living. The author clearly delineates the contrasts between MultiEarth and OneEarth worldviews. The chapter on the religious devotion given to MultiEarth economics and practices contains perspectives and content often left out of conversations on the themes treated in this book. The power that myth has to keep us practicing the illusionary MultiEarth worldview is revealed using John Steinbeck's magnum opus, East of Eden. That novel's use of the Cain and Abel myth provides bold guidance for our own MultiEarth-OneEarth choices. The concluding distinction between MultiEarth and OneEarth progress shows us how we got into our illusionary bubble and leaves no doubt that we have the power to choose differently. The personal journey of the author weaves in and out of the chapters, serving to illustrate the book's themes, the subtleties by which MultiEarth progress blinds us, and the power to choose OneEarth's satisfying ways.

Lee Van Ham has been working on ecological economics since 2000. This work follows three decades of experience in leading congregations where his writing and teaching gifts developed. In 2009, he met Michael Johnson; the two came together around their common interest in ecology and economics. Out of their relationship the OneEarth Project was born to partner their interests in writing and filmmaking. Johnson is an Emmy-award winning filmmaker who has begun work on a documentary related to themes in Blinded by Progress.

Author Biography

Blinded by Progress is an eye-opening look at our current economic and social system that is both heart-centered and intellectually accurate. It's one-of-a-kind perspective, based on deep research as well as first-hand experience, takes the reader quickly to the very foundation of what is wrong with our current world situation in order to fix it.
- Nikki Lyn Pugh, published author and journalist and 2011 USD Women Peacemaker Project Selected Peace Writer

"'El mundo que queremos es uno donde quepan muchos mundos' - 'We want a world where many worlds can coexist.' These words spoken by the Maya Indigenous people in resistance add color and meaning to the important and timely message of this book.... This book is a must read for people and communities committed to collectively raise consciousness. It is a guide in creating concrete steps toward being responsible citizens of one earth."
- Marco Tavanti, PhD, International Sustainable Development Prof., DePaul University, Chicago; Pres. of World Engagement Institute (WEI).

System thinker Lee Van Ham has brought decades of reflecting about the dynamics of our predicament and gifted us with this book.... Blinded by Progress is our wake up manual, our guide to deprogramming ourselves from the limitations of MultiEarth vision. (Excerpt from the "Foreward")
- Chuck Collins, senior scholar at the Institute for Policy Studies, author of several books on wealth inequality and the transition to a new economy.

Blinded by Progress demonstrates that faith can lead humanity into re-visioning ourselves and our relationship with the planet. Based in extensive research, Lee Van Ham has found a way to hold and maintain a generous view of people and our shared futures. This book challenges the reader and provides hope at one and the same time.
- Lisa Spaulding, Ph.D., Professor of English and Humanities, Penn Valley Community College