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November 30, 2001 Cecile Andrews: "Circle of Simplicity" Cecile started out by talking about our (contemporary westerners) associations with the word "simplicity." Often, in this culture, people have negative associations with the idea of "simplicity." It is often associated with Puritanism or self-deprivation. Cecile, however, defines "simplicity" as "self-examined living." It is each person asking what is important and what matters in his or her own life. Furthermore, it is another way to get people concerned about ecological issues. Cecile suggests that one of the roots of contemporary ills is that we do not have enough time to examine our life, our habits, our direction, our consumption, etc. "Why is it that the highest point of our day is checking something off of the "to do" list," she asked. When people much less a whole society of people are this busy, there is little time to reflect upon the ways in which we relate to the rest of the world. Thus, the simplicity movement provides people with time; time to think about what we purchase, what we throw away, how we get from "point a" to "point b", etc. In this way, it can lead to reflection upon our own place in the world, how we relate to others (including the non-human others), and how we relate to the earth in general. Cecile described three levels of the simplicity movement: the philosophical level, the personal level, and the policy level. Though she did not spend much time on the three different levels, I'll try to explain a bit about each. These levels are interrelated: in other words, you need the philosophical grounding of "simplicity," the personal commitment to "simplicity," before you can get to affecting policies to reflect the ideals of "simplicity." Philosophical Level. Themes of simplicity are apparent throughout American History (and beyond; especially in religious orders). Themes of simple living were present at the founding of this nation. Simplicity is basically a critique of affluence. It is a critique of the idea that more is better, and of the perversion of the American Dream: if I only work hard enough, I will become rich, etc. Instead, simplicity suggests that we should "live simply so that others may simply live." How, then, does this happen? The Personal Level. In Cecile Andrews book, The Circle of Simplicity (click to order) she lays out a way in which people can form a group based upon the principles of simplicity. Whether you get interested in simplicity because you dont have time to talk to people anymore (the average married couple spends only 12 minutes a day talking with one another in this country), because you are sick of the clutter in your life, or because you want to learn how to consume less, this book will provide a method that allows for continuous reflection upon how to simplify all aspects of your life, upon how to lead an examined life. I will provide one example of what the circle of simplicity entails. Part of creating a simplicity circle, is dealing with the elite and competitive attitude that we find in our everyday interpersonal interactions. There seems to be some idea that knowledge means forcing what you know upon others, or competing in an arena where only one idea will be left standing. This, as we all know, can be exhausting. So, instead of this form of interaction, simplicity circles ought to be created on (what I would call) communal learning principals. That is, each member of the circle adds to the whole circles knowledge. So, instead of operating in a cut-throat manner, the circle should operate on the principals of what each member of the circle has to add to the whole group. The Policy Level. As far as how "simplicity circles" might influence public-policy, Cecile started out by quoting John Dewey, "Democracy is born in conversation." The fact that we dont spend time talking to one another and reflecting upon our situation (as individuals and as a community / society) means also that our democratic process suffers. Though Cecile stressed that people do not have to get political to be involved in a simplicity circle, she did discuss how members of circles often became more politically active in regards to environmental and social justice issues; this is probably due to the fact that people begin to think about consumption habits, the ways in which they contribute to ecological degradation and social injustice in their own, everyday practices, etc. If enough people begin taking the time to reflect on these issues, then a movement is started. For more information about circles of simplicity, visit Ceciles web site: www.simplicitycircles.com; it is a part of a larger network that can be found at www.simpleliving.com. Also, on the 3rd Thursday of every month, there is a "Simplicity Circles forum" at the Claremont branch of the Berkeley Public Library. There, people meet others who would like to form simplicity circles, and find out what other simplicity circles are doing. If you would like more information sustainable alternatives to the dominant understanding of the "American Dream," please visit, the Center for a New American Dream: http://www.newdream.org; or Redefining Progress (located in Oakland): http://www.rprogress.org.

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