CULTURAL CREATIVES

I first heard the term, Cultural Creatives, on CBS This Morning the other day when Charlie Rose interviewed Deepak Chopra, who incidentally made the statement that he had never gotten angry ever since he had been a young boy; he simply lets the anger go . . .

So, what is a Cultural Creative?

Cultural Creatives, are emerging as a global social, economic and political phenomenon. The implications of this emerging wave of cultural creativity are as profound as the consequences of global warming are imminent. What we will discover in this emerging cultural group are the values that we need to undergird our next phase of human development as we move into an intensely ecological phase of our history.    To read entire report, click here 

Cultural Creatives are essentially comprised of people who have participated in the social and consciousness movements that have emerged since World War II, such as the:

1.      civil rights movement

2.      environmental movement

3.      women’s movement

4.      jobs movement

5.      social justice movement

6.      peace movement

7.      organic food movement

8.      alternative health care movement

9.      new spirituality movement

10.  self growth movement

Of the 50,000,000 Cultural Creatives (about 16% of the US population) 2/3 are women, and in many ways the new value system the Cultural Creatives represent is inextricably related with the fact that this is the first time in history that women’s values have been widely and publicly articulated.

Women are spiritually motivated and committed to personal growth but are not dogmatically religious.

Women embrace technology and economic development but only within a deep affirmation of the environment and community.

Women tend to view the world from the perspective of holistic systems.

Women are the people paying attention to world events and global trends.

It is estimated that there are over 100,000,000 Cultural Creatives throughout the entire world, but interestingly, they all share the follow similar characteristics:

·         love of nature and deep caring about its preservation, and its natural balance.

·         strong awareness of the planet-wide issues (i.e. climate change, poverty etc.) and a desire to see more action on them

·         being active themselves as well (e.g. cradle2cradle principle)

·         willingness to pay higher taxes or spend more money for goods if that money went to improving the environment

·         heavy emphasis on the importance of developing and maintaining relationships

·         heavy emphasis on the importance of helping others and developing their unique gifts

·         volunteer with one or more good causes

·         intense interest in spiritual and psychological development

·         see spirituality as an important aspect of life, but worry about religious fundamentalism

·         desire equality for women/men in business, life and politics

·         concern and support of the wellbeing of all women and children

·         want politics and government to spend more money on education, community programs and the support of a more ecologically sustainable future

·         are unhappy with the left and right in politics

·         optimism towards the future

·         want to be involved in creating a new and better way of life

·         are concerned with big business and the means they use to generate profits, including destroying the environment and exploiting poorer countries

·         unlikely to overspend or be in heavy debt

·         dislike the emphasis of modern cultures on "making it" and "success", on consuming and making money

·         like people, places and things that are different or exotic