Duane Elgin

Biography

Duane Elgin is an internationally recognized speaker, author, and social visionary who looks beneath the surface turbulence of our times to explore the deeper trends that are transforming our world. In 2006, Duane received the Japanese "Goi International Peace Award" in recognition of his contribution to a global "vision, consciousness, and lifestyle" that fosters a "more sustainable and spiritual culture."

His books include: THE LIVING UNIVERSE: Where Are We? Who Are We? Where Are We Going? (2009); VOLUNTARY SIMPLICITY: Toward a Way of Life that is Outwardly Simple, Inwardly Rich (three editions: 2010, 1993, and 1981); PROMISE AHEAD: A Vision of Hope and Action for Humanity`s Future (2000); and AWAKENING EARTH: Exploring the Evolution of Human Culture and Consciousness (1993). With Joseph Campbell and other scholars he co-authored the book CHANGING IMAGES OF MAN (1982). In addition, Duane has contributed chapters to sixteen books, and has published more than seventy articles.

In the early 1970s, Duane worked as a senior staff member of a joint Presidential-Congressional Commission on the American Future. He then worked as a senior social scientist with the think-tank SRI International where he coauthored numerous long-range, futures studies, such as: Anticipating Future National and Global Problems (for the President`s Science Advisor), Alternative Futures for Environmental Policy (for the Environmental Protection Agency), The Future of the Automobile (for the Ford Motor Co.), and Limits to the Management of Large, Complex Systems (for the President`s Science Advisor).

Over the past twenty twenty-five years, Duane has co-founded three non-partisan and non-profit organizations concerned with media accountability and citizen empowerment.

As a speaker, Duane has given more than 300 keynotes and workshops with audiences ranging from business executives and civic groups to churches and college students.

He has an MBA from the Wharton Business School, an MA in economic history from the University of Pennsylvania, and an honorary Doctor of Philosophy for work in "ecological and spiritual transformation" from the California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco, CA.

Duane is married to Coleen LeDrew Elgin, and he is also a father and grandfather. Duane and Coleen have collaborated on a number of projects, including videos such as The Living Universe, and earlier they co-authored the book Living Legacies.

Publications

Voluntary Simplicity

Duane has completely revised and updated this classic book. Voluntary Simplicity is not about living in poverty; it is about living with balance. What does a more balanced and sustainable way of living look like? There is no "cookbook for sustainable lifestyles" with all of the answers, so how are people freshly inventing their lives? This is the generation to invent cool lifestyles for living on our hot planet. What kinds of changes are underway, both in the larger world and inside ourselves? How is community vital to sustainability?

Titles

OUR WORLD IN TRANSITION: Understanding the meaning and the promise of our times
We live in a time of fierce urgency. Climate change, energy shortages, financial breakdowns, and more fill the headlines. We know the world is changing profoundly -- but in what direction, and what does it mean for me? How can we make sense out of these challenging times? What are the beacons of hope and opportunity? Is there a bigger story being played out? What skills and talents are important for me in these challenging times?

MOVING FROM THE RAT RACE TO THE HUMAN RACE: Cool lifestyles for a hot planet
Lily Tomlin said that, "the problem with the rat race is that, even if you win, you`re still a rat." A growing number of people are saying they are not interested in winning the rat race but rather in joining the human race -- with a higher quality of life. What does a more balanced and sustainable way of living look like? There is no "cookbook for sustainable lifestyles" with all of the answers, so how are people freshly inventing their lives? You don`t want a drab life, but style does not require lots of stuff; it requires your creativity and unique personality. This is the generation to invent cool lifestyles for living on our hot planet. What kinds of changes are underway, both in the larger world and inside ourselves? How is community vital to sustainability?

COLLECTIVE CRISIS MEETS COLLECTIVE WISDOM: Stunning insights from science and spirituality offer new insights about the universe and the human journey.
Humanity has reached an historic turning point. Decisions made today will be felt by people living far into the future. To make those decisions wisely, we can draw upon more than two thousand years of historical learning from both science and spiritual traditions to get a fresh view of the universe and of the human journey. We see we are part of something much larger, and the choices we make will reverberate into the deep future.