Duane Elgin

Duane Elgin is an author, speaker, educator, consultant and media activist. For more than three decades, he has defined the cutting edge in consciousness research, in the ecology movement, and in future studies. He pioneered the “Voluntary Simplicity” movement with his now classic first book of the same name, published in the 1980s. The book provided an exploration of the practical and philosophical meaning of simplicity, as well as a comprehensive overview of the precarious ecological predicament of our planet.

As an internationally recognized author and speaker who looks beneath the surface turbulence of our times to explore the deeper trends that are transforming our world, Duane Elgin examines how momentous "adversity trends" (such as climate change) are meeting equally momentous "opportunity trends" (such as the global communications revolution) and what the implications of such converegences may hold. For more than thirty years, Duane Elgin has been speaking and writing in four major areas: the big picture of humanity’s evolutionary journey at this pivotal time in history, more sustainable and satisfying ways of living, media accountability for an empowered citizenry and society, and the convergence of science with the world’s wisdom traditions and their shared views of a living universe.

Duane has given more than 250 keynotes and workshops with audiences ranging from business executives and civic groups to spiritual communities and college students. He likes to bring an engaging, conversational approach to his talks. Audiences often describe Duane Elgin's presentations as "absolutely captivating" and that they "inspired our deepest thinking."

Duane Elgin is the author of several major books: Promise Ahead: A Vision of Hope and Action for Humanity's Future, Voluntary Simplicity: Toward a Way of Life That is Outwardly Simple, Inwardly Rich, and Awakening Earth: Exploring the Evolution of Human Culture and Consciousness. With Joseph Campbell and others, he co-authored the book Changing Images of Man.

Duane Elgin has worked as a senior social scientist with the think tank SRI International, where he co-authored numerous studies on the long-range future for government agencies such as the National Science Foundation. He has also worked as a senior staff member of the joint Presidential-Congressional Commission on the American Future.

As a media activist, over the past twenty-five years Duane Elgin has co-founded three, non-profit, trans-partisan organizations concerned with media accountability.

Duane Elgin has an MBA from the Wharton School, an MA in Economic History from the University of Pennsylvania, and an honorary Doctor of Philosophy for work in "ecological and spiritual transformation" from the California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco, CA. Duane Elgin was honored in 2006 with the International “Goi Peace Award” in recognition of his contribution to a "global vision, consciousness and lifestyle” that fosters a “more sustainable and spiritual culture.”

Suggested Programs   

Green Business and New Consumer Values in a World of Rapid Change:

The World At The Tipping Point -- A Hopeful View of Our Future:

Moving Toward Simplicity, Sustainability, and Community:

We Live In a Living Universe:

Media Accountability & Citizen Empowerment: