Page 2 RAIN November 1981 Dear RAINbeaus: I was interested in the review by Scott Androes of Understanding Inflation by John Case. I felt that important and deeper issues were being overlooked in the review. My comments, as well, relate to the spectrum covered in your excellent journal. The tendency, in all the problems we work with, 1s to define them in such a way that we can use traditional tools on them-even if traditional tools are valueless in solving the problem-because we fear new approaches (they often mean that we must redefine ourselves), and we are more comfortable with the familiar, if impotent, thoughts of today. Mr. Case's book defines inflation, and proposes solutions for it which are well withVol. VIII No. 2 Your Attention Please - RAIN will not be printed next month. Instead, as a special holiday gift, we will send you our latest publication. Applying what we know to our home turf, we've come up with in traditional views. Inflation indeed has something to do with trying to get a larger share of a smaller pie, but legal-economic solutions for inflation tend to ignore its roots: greed and apathy. In other words, inflation-like environmental destruction or war-is primarily a moral problem, and solutions that ignore this pre-eminent aspect will fail, in the end, to solve the problem. Moral problems are not solved by nonmoral forces. And morality cannot morally be imposed upon people. Indeed, it cannot even realistically be imposed, for no humanly directed, exterior force can remold the heart. Thus we are left with a situation where change is necessary, and yet it cannot be imposed. RAIN some ideas for a sustainable Portland that we think will interest all RAIN readers, and may serve as a model for creating sustainable communities elsewhere. -RAIN Only a new and comprehensive vision, only a rebirth of the traditional virtues, in clothing suited to today's conditions, will serve. For me, that vision is contained in the Baha'i Faith, and the startling solutions it proposes. Perhaps you would do a series on moral approaches to problems, and dedicated to exploring some visions which have had practical consequences, such as that of King Ashoka of India (ca. 300 B.C.), or the Imam Ali (ca. A.D. 1650), and those visions that are moving today's mountains. David W. House Aurora, Oregon November 1981 Journal of Appropriate Technology RAIN Magazine publishes information which can lead people to more simple and satisfying lifestyles, help communities and regions become economically self-reliant, and build a society that is durable, just, and ecologically sound. RAIN STAFF: Laura Stuchinsky, Mark Roseland, Carlotta Collette, John Ferrell, Kevin Bell, Steve Johnson, Steve Rudman, Nancy Cosper, Scott Androes, Tanya Kucak. Linnea Gilson, Graphics and Layout RAIN, Journal of Appropriate Technology, is published 10 times yearly by the Rain Umbrella, Inc., a non-profit corporation located at 2270 N.W. Irving, Portland, Oregon 97210, telephone 503/227-5110. Copyright© 1981 Rain Umbrella, Inc. No part may be reprinted without written permission. Typesetting: Irish Setter Printing: Times Litho Cover Photograph: Ancil Nance
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