Sustainability – A Refined Definition
Sustainability – a refined definition
What it is not:
Sustainable is not designed to mean “eternal” (Greek: aidios).
Thus, it is not:
Lasting: without end or beginning.
Immutable: unchanging over time or unable to be changed.
Perpetual: continuing forever without stopping.
What it is?
Sustainable is inspired by the term ever-lasting from Greek term: Aenios which means a life pertaining to “age” or “ages”; in a sense it means a certain work to be done in a certain period of time. Therefore, works done to achieve a particular goal will have time limits and operationalized within the best assumptions gathered up to a limited period. But the word is also inspired by the Greek word: Pericherosis. “Perichoresis“ is derived from the Greek peri, “around” and chorein, which has multiple meanings among them being “to make room for”, “go forward” and “contain”.[7] Circumincession from the Latin circum, “around” and incedere meaning “to go, to step, approach”. Thus, a perichoresis work is a work done by “complete” yet asymmetrical entities that differ in the ownership of information, expertise, and function entities, thus allowing room for interactions to achieve individual and communal goals in a reciprocal relationship.
Thus, a sustainable group means:
One that is:
Progressive: a dynamic relationship that welcomes changes and progress.
Mutually formative: every group member simultaneously enables and inspires one another positive interaction.
Non-slavery: no one nor no one’s objective is subordinate to another’s, yet:
There is still a hierarchy in decision making to promote order, yet ideas, correction, and initiatives can come from either direction in the hierarchy line.
Every member of the group is free to pursue other goals, which could be, but not limited to, an extension to the group’s project; but there will be subsets of projects, which will be worked on by at least two members in the group.
Voluntarily and generously serving each other, yet there is still a dynamic and genuine relationship that is beyond perfunctory transactions within the group.
And, a sustainable design/product/formula means:
One that is:
Humble
Meek
Non-reductive
HUMBLE: Simple, yet, Elegant
Simple: only the necessary to achieve the goal
As opposed to
complicated
rigid
expensive
Elegant: Hold the dignity of each entity
As opposed to vulgarity:
Extravagant
Inhuman
Zero-sum game
MEEK: Gentle, yet. Intentional
Gentle means:
Non-invasive
Non-slavery
Not just cure the symptoms
Intentional means:
Well-planned
Well-Designed
Well-Produced
Well- Distributed
Well-Presented (so that it can be used properly by users/consumers)
As opposed to delivering:
Ad-hoc solution
Accidental (let alone toxic) by-products
“Trickle-down effect” policy
INTEGRATED means:
Whole-life
Whole aspects
Whole institutions
As opposed to:
Fragmented
Reductive
Individualistic
Key Performance Indicators: Past, Present, and Future
In redeeming the past:
Carbon Print reduction in garbage transformation
Land, air and water un-pollution
Curing human diseases
In realizing a better present:
Affording clean water and air for all
Revitalizing human health
Improving food chain quality (by also getting rid of toxic food)
In creating a brighter future:
Self-sufficient (in basic needs) cities
Eco-systemic pluralism
Justice for all (human, land, air, water, plants, animals in all aspects of life)