The Next Industrial Revolution*

During the Industrial Revolution resources seemed inexhaustible and nature was viewed as something to be tamed and civilised. One of the most significant problems humans face is the outdated infrastructure of industrial practices and methods that arose as a result of the first Industrial Revolution. ‘Produce more with less’, ‘minimise waste’, ‘reduce’ and similar dictates advance the notion of a world of limits—one whose carrying capacity is strained by burgeoning populations and exploding production and consumption. Eco-efficiency tells to restrict industry and curtail growth—to try to limit the creativity and productivity of humankind. Ancient nomadic cultures tended to leave organic waste behind, restoring nutrients to the soil and the surrounding environment. The re-use of technical nutrients in closed-loop industrial cycles is distinct from traditional recycling, because it allows materials to retain their quality: high-quality plastic computer cases would continually circulate as high-quality computer cases, instead of being downcycled to make soundproof barriers or flowerpots.