Tammie: You've explored how technology has served as a trigger or motivator in leading some people to downshift and you offer a very important perspective that I'm hoping you might share.

Dr. Spina: When I began my research, I was seeking a connection between this movement and technology, particularly, information-related technologies. I admitted that my researcher bias was looking to indict technology as the negative motivator.

My first observation was quite the contrary. Several downshifters use technology to help simplify. The most obvious example is using the computer to tele-work or tele-commute, thus working from home, either full or part-time. This allows for more flexible scheduling in one's life and a better balance between work and family. This, of course, assumes the nature of your passion and work allow for this arrangement. Others use email to connect with distance friends and family, as well as other simplicity advocates forming online communities of interest. Personally, having been a technocrat most of my life, I prefer face-to-face encounters over the electronic ones. Yet, look at what's facilitating this dialogue right now and witness the audience that may be exposed to this discussion.

Tammie: You pointed out that the Kellogg company reduced work hours to six hours a day during the depression in order to preserve jobs, and as a result the quality of life for these workers improved significantly. There have been a number of studies it seems that indicate that there's a very definite relationship between fewer work hours and quality of life and yet for the most part, most Americans just keep working longer and harder these days it seems. Why is that from your perspective?

Dr. Spina: Work was identified as one of the greatest examples of "noise." The work-spend-consume-work- spend-consume cycle is ruling the majority of American society. For many, who we are is defined by what we do and what we have. We have a multiplicity of identities. Kenneth Gergen, in his book, The Saturated Self, calls this "multiphrenia." If we need to identify ourselves externally, we will easily sink into the noise levels. In order to buy all those nice accoutrements, we will need to work more to obtain the money to pay for those purchases. The market will gladly accommodate this desire. Advertising and its associated media target just this situation and we respond.

Members of the Voluntary Simplicity (VS) movement transition from an externally identified self to an internally identified self. This is where all the meaning, the signal, resides. It takes courage to do this, because by placing less emphasis on material possessions, one has to identify one's self by what's inside. How many know what that is, since we have been brainwashed to rely on external things for this answer? For those, the majority, who have not come to this realization, they will have to continue to define themselves externally. This means more money, which in turn means more work.

There are many other factors that contribute to overwork, related to economics, globalization, advances in technology, the transforming to a service economy, single parent families, etc. All the people in my research were affected by these conditions as well. Therefore, I have offered my opinion from a more micro level.

Tammie: Your definition of simplicity, "living life to its fullest (by each person's own standards) without harm to the planet or the society," is a wonderful one. How have you applied this definition to your own life?

Dr. Spina: I struggle with this daily. Personally, I have been through the first and second stages of VS, or what I am now calling Intentional Conscious Living (ICL). Almost four years ago, I left my corporate career for more meaningful work. I watch my purchases of material things much more closely than ever before and have become more environmentally aware. I no longer rely on external appearances for my identity, for who "I am." The other members of my family are not necessarily in concert with my new found direction. That has caused conflict and limits on how fast and how deep I can move in the direction of simplification. So I am still executing the third stage of post-transition quality of life. I am certain the path is correct, but uncertain of the challenges ahead. Nevertheless, the "signal" is strong and the meaning is becoming more clear daily. The dependence on money (more than is really necessary) is the most difficult challenge in the face of mortgages, college tuition, etc. All of these can be overcome as is evidenced in the simplicity literature.

Tammie: You've also asserted that perhaps we need a new defining term to describe what we're currently referring to as "the simple living movement" and you've suggested "intentional conscious Living" as an alternative. How might "intentional conscious living" more accurately define this movement?

Dr. Spina: I believe that if VS'ers truly wish to share the experience, meaning, and satisfaction of their newly-found quality of life, the focus should not be on frugality alone or being a tightwad. What I said before, is that many people define themselves by what "they have" and "how they look." If you were to appeal to these folks and encourage them to give these possessions up, you are in reality asking them to give up part of themselves. ICL is not giving up anything. It's getting something back that has been lost. This is the message that needs to be conveyed. Now it may involve, less spending, more environmental awareness, different purchasing options, but this should be an effect not the inspiration for the transition.

When I approach people with the term simplicity, they respond with fear and apprehension. They tell me, "I like spending money and will work hard to get it. I enjoy a day at the mall. I like to have nice things." It is not for me to judge these people as being uninformed or unenlightened. However, if these same people tell me they are unhappy, hate their work, need more time, feel stressed, have little energy for relationships, and wish things were simpler; then they need to live a life that is more mindful, more conscious, more intentional. This is the first message they should hear, not start downsizing!

Tammie: That's a really important point that you've made, and I agree with you. Tom Bender once wrote when addressing the tendency of so many Americans towards overconsumption that, "after awhile more becomes a heavy load." I'm wondering how you would respond to Bender's statement.

Dr. Spina: I think I may have already answered this question. The more toys we have the more attention and maintenance they require, not to mention more time for the additional work needed to earn the additional money to buy "more." So the burden of "more" is hidden in the process to acquire "more." It is a process that is enabled by technology in the form of television and new media advertising. It's what keeps the economy going. It's the whole consumption issue and why it's in place.

Tammie: What advice would you offer someone who's seriously considering simplifying his or her Life?

Dr. Spina: The participants in my study all took their cue from reading two books, "Voluntary Simplicity", by Duane Elgin; and, "Your Money or Your Life", by Joe Dominquez and Vicki Robin. These two works seem to represent the bible of the VS movement. I would also highly recommend that they attend a Simplicity Study Circle or begin one themselves. I recommend the latter and encourage them to read Cecile Andrew's book, "The Circle of Simplicity."

The reason to start one from scratch is based on the original intent of study circles. That is, people coming together to solve a common problem. Then, if downsizing is the goal, the more common themes of VS can be explored. If the issues are focused on more meaningful and conscious living, the group might start on a different footing. This will insure that folks won't be scared away by thinking they have to give up their homes to enjoy life. I also encourage people to "talk it up." You will be surprised to find out how many of us feel the same way but are apprehensive to speak up because we thing we are alone with these thoughts.

You can read Dr. Spina's article, "Research Shows New Aspects of Voluntary Simplicity" in the January-March 1999 issue of the Simple Living Network Newsletter. All correspondence can be directed to Dr. Spina at Knowledge Resources, 19 Norman Lane, Succasunna, NJ 07876 E-Mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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