The document discusses two perspectives - status quo and radical - on addressing global challenges like social justice, ecological collapse, and economic sustainability. The status quo view sees the current economic system as exploitative and unsustainable, extracting resources to fuel endless growth. The radical view proposes alternative circular economies that nurture resources, stabilize the planet, and feed and sustain humanity through ecoinnovation and allowing for degrowth. It also sees the purpose of education differently - focusing on thriving rather than getting jobs or competition.

1. Comparing ‘status quo’ and ‘radical’ thinking on global challenges Bridget McKenzie, October 2011 Please note: I see the two positions as if on a spectrum. Many people are ambivalent on this spectrum. My concerns are that too many caring people believe either: it is possible to uphold the status quo while also hoping that social justice will be served and ecological collapse will be averted it is not possible to serve social justice and avert ecological collapse without upholding the status quo

2. The status quo: Unsustainable economy ...exploited for sake of ...ignored for the sake of ...sacrificed for the sake of ...extracted for the sake of

3. The alternative: Circular economy nurture Stabilise planet for... feed sustain

4. The status quo: Purpose of education is a job & to be ‘top of the tree’

5. Radical: The goal of education is the ‘means to thrive’

6. The status quo: Prosperity through growth, with some allowable damage

7. Radical: Prosperity by both ‘ecoinnovation’ & ‘degrowth’