Duane Elgin is an internationally recognized speaker, author, and social visionary. He has an MBA in business and an MA in economic history  He has worked as a senior staff member of the Presidential Commission on the American Future, and a senior social scientist co-authoring numerous studies of the long-range future for clients such as the President’s Science Advisor; the National Science Foundation; and others. Duane has also co-founded three non-profit organizations working for media accountability and citizen empowerment. He received the Peace Prize of Japan, the Goi Award, in recognition of his contribution to a global “vision, consciousness, and lifestyle” that fosters a “more sustainable and spiritual culture.” Duane is the Co-director of the Choosing Earth Project.

His books include:

Choosing Earth: Humanity's Journey of Initiation Through Breakdown and Collapse to Mature Planetary Community

"The Living Universe: Where Are We? Who Are We? Where Are We Going?";

"Promise Ahead: A Vision of Hope and Action for Humanity's Future";

"Voluntary Simplicity: Toward a Way of Life That Is Outwardly Simple, Inwardly Rich"; and

"Awakening Earth: Exploring the Evolution of Human Culture and Consciousness" (Also available as a free download on Duane's site.)

He co-authored the book "Changing Images of Man" with Joseph Campbell and other scholars.

In addition, Duane has contributed chapters to twenty-three books and has published more than a hundred major articles.

Websites:

choosingearth.org

duaneelgin.com

Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.

Summary and Transcript of this interview

First interview with Duane

Interview recorded June 4, 2022.

YouTube Video Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introduction and Background of Duane Elgin

00:04:06 - The Time of Profound Transition

00:08:03 - The Top Environmental Problems: Selfishness, Greed, and Apathy

00:11:49 - Three Pathways for the Future

00:16:31 - A Time of Great Transition

00:20:54 - The Opportunity of This Time

00:25:20 - The Invitation of Transformation and Transition

00:29:20 - The Ecology of Consciousness

00:34:05 - The Aliveness of the Universe

00:38:03 - The Extraordinary Journey of Living in a Living Universe

00:42:09 - The Zooming Powers of 10 and our Connection to the Universe

00:45:29 - The Aliveness of the Universe: A Transition in Perception

00:49:23 - The Function of the United Nations

00:53:35 - The Power and Consequences of Social Media

00:57:18 - Mobilizing Our Capacities for Transformation

01:01:05 - The Devastating Times Ahead

01:04:57 - A Rush of Migration and Learning from Trauma

01:09:03 - Progression and Resistance

01:12:47 - Tapping into our Inner Resources

01:16:16 - The Miracles of Life, Consciousness, and Communication

01:20:30 - The Importance of Curiosity and Understanding Others

01:24:07 - Reconciliation and the Right to Life

01:27:58 - The Power of Recontextualization and Communication

01:32:21 - Averting the Danger of Lack of Conscious Attention

01:35:38 - The Importance of Community

01:39:36 - The Economic Hurricane and the Unraveling

01:43:30 - The Potential Consequences and Preparation for Disruptions

01:47:10 - The Shift towards Vegetarianism

01:50:56 - Finding Your True Gifts

01:54:12 - The Unraveling of Big Structures and Systems

01:57:34 - Setting Reminders for Upcoming Interviews on BatGap