Concepts
On this page we share some interesting concepts, links, and books around the different domains of knowledge around which the Totems idea was developed. These include science, philosophy, art and cultural studies. Even if you never make a Totem, we encourage you to explore these issues, and participate in any way you like to leave the world a better place than you found it.
Protecting habitat is one of the best ways to have an impact, through organisations such as the World Land Trust which has Sir David Attenborough as their patron. Joining your local nature society, or a birding group is another great way to direct your love of nature to knowledge and action. In Australia, the Australian Wildlife Conservancy has been doing amazing work to preserve endangered species in over 12m hectares of protected habitat, including providing temporary animal shelters after severe bushfires.
Flourish
What will it take to restore balance to our world? How can we repair our devastated environments, and secure future generations’ survival? And what’s the key to unlock the mindset shift to enable truly regenerative transformation? Flourish reaches beyond ‘sustainability’ to explore ‘regenerative’ practice, what it really means, and how we can get there together. Looking deeply into the web of life that created and supports us, Flourish draws inspiration from diverse cultural traditions and perspectives.
The Systems View of Life
Over the past thirty years, a new systemic conception of life has emerged at the forefront of science. New emphasis has been given to complexity, networks, and patterns of organisation, leading to a novel kind of 'systemic' thinking. This volume integrates the ideas, models, and theories underlying the systems view of life into a single coherent framework. Taking a broad sweep through history and across scientific disciplines, the authors examine the appearance of key concepts such as autopoiesis, dissipative structures, social networks, and a systemic understanding of evolution. The implications of the systems view of life for health care, management, and our global ecological and economic crises are also discussed.