I’ve never read any of Fritjof Capra’s books. I’ve been tempted by the interesting premises underlying pretty much everything he’s ever written, but none of them have ever made most important thing in front of me status. I did, however, see the 1990 film Mindwalk, a loose adaptation of his book, The Turning Point, and it was well worth my time.

For some reason, I keep coming back to and have therefore read quite a bit about the ideas behind his book, Hidden Connections, and I’m a little obsessed with thinking about them (but still not with reading the book) and warping them into my own. The premise, basically, is that systems are self-reflective; we reflect the institutions governing us and they reflect us, down to the basics of our biology. Makes it kind of hard to Bush-bash, now, doesn’t it? He draws a lot of parallels between this biology of ours and our social systems, discusses how we might change our actions in order to make changes down both sides of the spectrum, our biology and our institutions. He suggests a reworking, not an undoing, of our current economic globalization.

I’m intrigued. The primary personal finance books on front display for mass consumption right now (in places like the Newark Airport and a popular London bookstore) are Why We Want You to be Rich by Donald Trump and Robert Kiyosaki, which, according to reviews, is a 260-page marketing package intended sell the middle-class more products from the duo in order to escape the slippery back slope of middle-class extinction; and I Can Make You Rich. This one is by Paul McKenna, and looks slightly better (he’s cuter than Donald Trump) as it offers a psychological reworking of personal finance handling.

Capra’s book, several years old now, and its ideas — or more accurately, my ideas about his ideas – suggest acting in a different way, a way, he suggests, that might actually change things both bigger and smaller than the actor. His primary example is exacting change through the design and implementation of ecologically sustainable communities and technologies. Now Capra’s known for being a bit woo-woo, but these notions aren’t necessarily in the category of the Woo. Although they could easily be viewed through the lense of the metaphysical, it makes simple economic sense that if the demand changes, the product naturally alters; and, well, everything, including love and relationships, is an economy. It’s difficult but not impossible to change those demands.

The parallels between micro (and bio) and macro economics are as tangible as the effect of a change in the quantity (or quality) of demand. The New York Times ran a story some months ago on the student loan trap and similar reports abound covering the bottomless pit inherent in the loan repayment process. Similarly, the documentary Maxed Out reveals how creditors intentionally offer credit cards to young, un-creditworthy candidates in hopes of drawing any and all fuck-up fees that they possibly can. As well, it details the out-of-control state of credit in America.

Creditors ruling body, the United States government, runs the master game when it comes to trapping others via credit dependence, economically occupying at least 14 Central and South American countries. In his book Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, John Perk details how, as a recent college graduate having shown great promise in his Economics studies, the National Security Agency recruited him. They then placed him with a corporate bank that in turn sent him to various Central American countries to strike loan deals with them. Many of his proposed loan packages and others secured by his cohorts have had the effect of collapsing the economies of countries involved into full dependence on the United States.

Feel like illegal aliens are sapping U.S. resources? Well, chances are your recapitulating spending practices crippled their home economy and brought many here to find a better life. Okay, that’s a little harsh, but . . . you could use your god-given straight right to marry and make things a little better for him or her.

Along those same credit lines, what reader isn’t charging unruly amounts of interest on a foul your lover made months or even years ago? Tiny steps (or are these the bigger ones?).

Personally, other than by severe punishment, I find it extremely hard to make even the smallest changes in actions as Capra proposes. I hope for something better and easier than that for my country as a whole. I’ve come up with a few ideas regarding how we might alter our biochemical bodies and our governmental bodies.

1) About to build a new house? See this. Even George W. Bush has a green house.

2) Recycle your ass off. Seriously, be anal about it. If you’re a real budget slut, start weighing your garbage. See how much you can reduce your waste by.

3) Visit Al Gore’s site and measure your own personal carbon footprint. If you happen to despise Al Gore for some reason, simply visit one of a dozen other sites with a Co2 emissions calculator. Brainstorm ways to improve your score; make a list.

4) If you can afford it and you know a young, promising student, offer them a private student loan with an interest rate of nothing or at least lower than that of a corporate bank. Maybe even beat a Stafford’s rates. Someone recently did this for me, and it has afforded me a new form of life. Be cautious here joyful philanthropists.

5) Consider credit cards the devil. He’s not a bad guy all the time, but he hates you.

6) Invest in technologies that give you more control and omniscience over your personal finances.

7) Consider every purchase as a wave in a world-shaped pond.

8) See a homeopath. Mine claims it makes for change, and I haven’t beaten anyone up lately!

That’s a really short list, but I’m still jetlagged; so it’s your turn to transfer ideals into actions. Feel free to add some here.