M E G A M I X

M E T A M I X
CONTENTS
S U S T A I N A B L E   D E V E L O P M E N T/A   S U S T A I N A B L E   F U T U R E
P O L I C I E S  A N D   S T R A T E G I E S
C R E A T I V I T Y   A N D   I N N O V A T I O N
A R T S   A D V O C A C Y

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT/A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Sustainable development considers the interrelationships between economic, environmental and social factors and focuses on policies and activities which are equitable, bearable and viable. Unfortunately when decisions are based primarily on conventional economic thinking and imperatives, social and environmental costs are not adequately considered and real viability is never established. The bounty of the earth does not belong to those who believe that it is theirs to exploit with impunity and who have the power and resources to do so. All economic activity ultimately relies on the natural resource base which sustains life; a commonwealth shared by all living beings on the planet. Some would still have us believe that economic growth is the only panacea to cure our economic woes when capitalism has now clearly had its day. To continue as if there is no end to what we humans can acquire and consume is clearly unsustainable and a new way has to found.
A sustainable future requires us to make a paradigm shift in terms of ideas and practices: to move beyond the "little variables" or "parameters of distress" (interest rates, budget deficits, inflation and unemployment) and GDP type analyses used by economists, to redefine what we mean by progress and to create a new kind of social order which is not based upon enmity, conquest and inequity. We eagerly await the emergence of more enlightened and inspired leaders to help us bring in the changes that are now so deperately needed.
POLICIES AND STRATEGIES
Having become obsessessed with winning the vote of middle New Zealand in order to stay in power, successive governments in recent years have adopted orthodox economic policies, borrowing money and using it to prop up and extend unequitable systems which are increasingly failing to meet real needs (e.g. borrowing used to fund tax cuts in order to create a "fairer tax system"). Coupled with the increase in GST, the result of this policy has been to increase the inequity between rich and poor, as those on the highest incomes have benefited most from the tax changes, whilst many of those on low incomes struggle to make ends meet.
Many still seem to believe the spin and lies which have seen the National led government re-elected on policies which include the sale of strategic energy assets like the hydro electric power stations on the Waikato River, as if the sale of state assets is the only way out of the hole the Government has dug for itself by pandering to the interests of the rich and powerful. These kind of policies, which are based on outmoded thinking, cater to extremely limited self interest and are ultimately not the way of the future.
A QUESTION OF PRIORITIES
According to the World Game Institute approximately 30% of the US $780 billion the world currently spends annually on the military could solve the major need and environmental problems facing humanity.
However, the gap between the rich and poor continues to grow alarmingly larger each year and the richest 20% of the world now have 85% of the world's income, while the poorest 20% share only 1.4%. The often repeated mantra about needing to be competitive in an increasingly globalised world economy is now well accepted and consequently the idea that there must, out of necessity, be winners and losers continues to be reinforced and reflected in the state of our world.
In his film The New Rulers of the World, journalist John Pilger showed how under the dominating influence of multinational corporations and the institutions which back them, the IMF and World Bank, millions throughout the world have lost their livelihoods. The truth is that the supposed "free market" has never been a level playing field and those with the deepest pockets are best able to maintain their place in the scheme of things.
Large scale military spending and activities to defeat "the enemy" can easily be justified while human beings are unable to resolve their differences by peaceful means without resorting to armed conflict and while feelings of resentment, hostility and hatred continue to fester, resulting in such cataclysmic world events as the "terrorist attacks" in the United States on 11 September 2001.
The cause of world peace has not been furthered by pre-emptive action on the pretext of non-existent weapons of mass destruction and a determination to win the "war against terrorism," whatever the cost, while disregarding international law and the wishes of the wider global community. There can be no peace without justice and justice will not prevail while the poor are subject to the law and the rich and powerful believe that somehow they are above the law.
The wise counsel of caution and restraint did not prevent the occupation of Afghanistan or stop the oil-rich sands of Iraq from becoming a target of those with an unconstrained greed and urge to dominate.
CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION
Like most creative people in New Zealand I was pleased to see more money being invested in creativity and innovation following a change of Government in 1999. In 2000 Creative New Zealand received a funding boost which amounted to approximately $6 million a year over three years and their first priority was to shore up the arts establishment. Many of the recommendations from the Heart of the Nation process were rejected by the new Government - the expectations of many project-based artists were not met and increased levels of funding did not 'trickle down' to grass roots creative communities where the arts infrastructure is the most fragile.
Around the same time New Zealand On Air began distributing an extra $7 million for New Zealand music, television and radio with $2 million tagged to the development and promotion of New Zealand music, with the $5 million balance for television and radio initiatives. The main criteria for funding music projects has been potential for commercial radio airplay. However, the inevitable result of having to meet market requirements to garner funding has been a proliferation of bland, mainstream music and television in New Zealand.
In 2000 the New Zealand Music Industry Commission was also established with a $2 million budget over five years.
It is now evident that over the past decade or so very little of the new money actually got through to those challenging the status quo or working outside of today's convention, which is only the diffusion of yesterday's innovation. However, official sanction for radical departures is seldom given . . .

ARTS ADVOCACY
The Impact of Cultural Policy on Music Making: A Comparative and Historical Analysis
The Artist as a Revolutionary