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Saturday, July 5, 2025

Get to know 'Radical Simplicity' Author Jim Merkel

Get to know 'Radical Simplicity' Author Jim Merkel

Author Jim Merkel, who spreads his lifestyle of sustainability, posing for a photograph in the woods

1.    How did you know that a sustainable lifestyle was for you?

There were some clear choices. Say about 20 years ago I decided scale way back. I use less and my clothes are used. I have slimed down a lot. I live in a cabin built from the trees on the land. I do have a laptop but no cell phone. I have dial up at home. I mostly use my laptop for email. I don't have an IPOD but I do play the electric base so I do use some technology. I have a lot of free time and freedom.

2.    How did you feel when you lived the consumer lifestyle?

The experiences I had being a military engineer led me to want to live a more sustainable life. I learned how the US engages in global politics and uses military to advance US business interests. It made it impossible for me to take advantage of the "booty" of war. Once I understood how things operated it became distasteful. I didn't want to take the "booty"

3.    Do you think this sustainable lifestyle is practical for the average American?

I think it can be used by anyone in society because all I ask people to do is to ask themselves what their values are. Those values lead to their own sustainability goals. Everyone is going to be different.

4.    Is it hard to lead a sustainable lifestyle in a tight budget?

Organic food does cost more, but you can grow your own. The most sustainable life will cost the least. People have their own needs and wants. Be honest with yourself. Do you need something or do you want it. I find that I want less overtime. I find that taking time for my own education and growth and spending time with people I love contribute to me feeling full. Most of those things are free. I'm also great at going to the dumps. People throw out tons of perfectly good items. It's like my own shopping mall.

5.    Is it hard to live a sustainable lifestyle when most of the people around you do not?

It's difficult when you're living in a sea of consumerism. It's hard to be the oddball. I had a good taste of the other life. I was privileged with a successful financial life. This new life style is fulfilling. This is steadier. I don't feel like I am sacrificing anything. I have had 20 years of full freedom. Right now I can do anything. Nothing is holding me back.

6.    Do you ever have a temptation to buy into the latest technology?

I don't really have desires for materialistic things. Occasionally I get wild wants. I used to be into water skies and tournaments and whatnot. About two years ago I bought an ocean kayak. I got into the feeling of what it is like to be a consumer.

7.    Do the people you spend the majority of your time with live a lifestyle similar to yours?

It's mixed. I have some simplistic friends and some average American friends. I am expecting a child in December. My partner Susan and I are similar in not wanting to have materialism in our home. There will be no plastic toys and no game boys. We will use cloth diapers.

8.    Is it hard having family life a different lifestyle from you?

You can't try and sway your family and closest friends. My family knows who I am. We are a very close family. 15 years ago I was more preachy. I have learned a lot since then. I'm not a martyr. I don't need to get on a pedestal either. My advice to other people is to be yourself. Don't do it to prove a point.

9.    What made you want to write a book?

I was tired of talking. It's hard to explain. I figured if I could make it entertaining people would be encouraged to learn, and the book would help make more sense of the sustainability life style. I also wanted to move on to the next stage.

10.    Do you really think one person can change world, or does it need to be a group effort?

Both. I think one kind act can change the world. A smile changes everything. You can't deny positive energy. If we don't have a lot of people doing it, however, our kids will have a horrible life in a violent society. Tomorrow is completely unknown. We need a lot of people shifting in profound ways. Even if we are only living at an 80% sustainable rate that is still good. The earth can tolerate that. We are currently operating at a 5% sustainability rate. That's 95% unsustainable.  Mother Earth can't handle that.

11.    How much do you save each year?

I save 18 football fields worth of nature every year.

12.    What made you so passionate about saving the earth?

I'm in love with the earth. I married the earth. At one point it just became clear and it's never stopped. If you love your mother and someone was hurting her you would want to stop that.

13.    What political party do you identify with?

I would mostly identify with the green party. I agree with their tenets and platform. I'm a pacifist. I don't support war. Both the Republican and Democratic parties support war and huge cooperation. I find it hard to support either of them.

14.    When you presented in 2008, the debate between students got pretty heated. Is this typical of a presentation, or was it a new situation?

I'm not used to it. I'm not used to speaking. I thought last year was great. I was very happy that they wanted to engage. Even though some of the students could have been more skillful in the communication skills, it is better than being silent. Some students need to work on being able to disagree without being mean.

15.    Any other comments?

I think the students here are amazing and genuine. They are interesting and hungry to have a positive impact on the world.

Author Jim Merkel, who spreads his lifestyle of sustainability, posing for a photograph in the woods

Merkel shown being sustainable in his garden

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