European University Institute Library

Counterculture green, the Whole earth catalog and American environmentalism, Andrew G. Kirk

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 267-291) and index

illustrations

index present

non fiction

Counterculture green

electronic resource

dictionariesbibliography

1372002009

Andrew G. Kirk

ACLS Humanities E-Book

the Whole earth catalog and American environmentalism

For many, it was more than a publication: it was a way of life. The Whole Earth Catalog billed itself as "Access to Tools," and it grew from a Bay Area blip to a national phenomenon catering to hippies, do-it-yourselfers, and anyone interested in self-sufficiency independent of mainstream America (now known as "living off the grid"). In recovering the history of the Catalog's unique brand of environmentalism, historian Kirk recounts how Stewart Brand and the Point Foundation promoted a philosophy of pragmatic environmentalism that celebrated technological achievement, human ingenuity, and sustainable living. Kirk shows us that Whole Earth was more than a mere counterculture fad. At a time when many of these ideas were seen as heretical to a predominantly wilderness-based movement, it became a critical forum for environmental alternatives and a model for how complicated ecological ideas could be presented in a hopeful and even humorous way.--From publisher description.--, Provided by publisher

Introduction: one highly evolved tool box -- Environmental heresies -- Thing-makers, tool freaks, and prototypers -- Bailing wire hippies -- On point -- The final frontier -- Free minds, free markets -- Epilogue: What happened to appropriate technology?

Whole earth catalog and American environmentalism