Mental infrastructures are a persons unconsciously internalized psychological, social and cultural settings. At the moment these models are strongly shaped by a growth-oriented pattern which affects also our actions and daily habits and help keeping us from building a sustainable society. But if social and ecological transformation is very closely linked to a transformation of our mental infrastructures – how do we deal with these? Can we „change“ mental infrastructures? And how?
In the course we adressed this topic from different perspectives. We theoretically discussed infrastructures of growth and where they come from. And we tried to reflect our own mental models actively and experiment with their convertibility by offering a variety of experience-based workshops. For details on the program of the course and its respective workshops, see the event post.
2-11 September 2014, Taucha, Leipzig, Germany
Language: English · Organised by: Konzeptwerk Neue Ökonomie and Netzwerk Wachstumswende
In this area you can view all participants, background information, materials, discussions and outcomes related to the Mental Infrastructures course. Participants are welcome to comment on readings, collaborate on note taking and provide feedback on the courses attended, therefore contributing to the growing open knowledge bank of the GROWL network.
Course materials
You'll find an updated documentary of the Leipzig course on "Mental Infrastructures and Degrowth Transformation" (including the book chapter giving an extensive introduction into the topic) here
a_material1_introductory_presentation.odp Results of the plenary discussion in LeipzigHow can practical skills help to foster a degrowth society?it can foster autonomy and local production
improves resilience
subsistence helps with reducing paid working hours
it is a form of doing (other than “just talking”) that can be more effective, or at least feel more effective…
more… it can foster autonomy and local production
improves resilience
subsistence helps with reducing paid working hours
it is a form of doing (other than “just talking”) that can be more effective, or at least feel more effective…
The purpose of this peaceful place relaxation script is to relax your mind and guide you to imagine your own peaceful, safe place. This place will be an imaginary area that you can visualize to help calm and relax your mind when you are feeling stressed.
Begin by setting aside a few minutes so that you can relax without having anything else you need to focus on. Find a comfortable position.
For the next few moments, focus on calming your mind by focusing on your breathing. Allow you breathing to center and…
more… 
QUESTION for Reflection:
How can mental infrastructures of a degrowth society be paved? What are mechanisms of change? Why do you have to run along, and when do you manage to get out?
Please consider the following questions from an individual perspective!
Where did you change your behavior compatible with a degrowth society? And why?
Which mental structures might help us to change towards degrowth mental infrastructures? What behaviors should be encouraged in order to…
c_material6_presentation_on_social_acceleration.pdf Please find the prezi here or attached as a pdf.
The vertical plan analysis is a diagnostical tool that is used in psychotherapy to assess the needs of clients in relationships. Plans are seen as an expression of different motivational schemes.
Note: This is a modified and extremely brief version, it differs from the original idea!
Think of a situation in which you had the feeling of being in shortage of time. The I-must-have-list might give you ideas for such situations. Note: It is important that you think of a specific…
more… Questions to reflect upon while walking
(How and where) do you experience acceleration in your own life? What kind of feelings go along with that process? Have you ever decelerated in order to better accelerate afterwards?
Are we object or subject of this process?
How do you think this phenomenon is related to growth?
Where you feel the need to develop yourself?
(Where) do you experience the feeling of not being allowed to…
Pick a font you like and reprint quotes on nice, colored paper (suggested font size: 18 pp).
There are calendars and clocks to measure it, but it won’t say much, because everyone knows that one may experience a single hour like an eternity, but sometimes it passes like a moment – depending on what you experienced in this hour. Because time is life. And life’s home is in the heart.
– Michael Ende
Until this day, more and more people had less and…
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Media galleries
Here is a selection of pictures taken by Gualter, Kristina, Susanne and Silvia.
Please note that this section of the site is public. Write me if you don't want pictures where you appear to be available online.
Topics
Monday, October 6 2014
Idea for a Workshop on Degrowth & Energy
Monday, September 22 2014
Sharing space for course