On the other hand, the idea that movement of materials, people (and other living things) should be a minor aspect of any system is a new idea to modernity. The convenience and power from increased mobility and information technology has been a "Trojan horse", destroying community and increasing energy demands. Mobility and speed in affluent countries has become so dysfunctional that the 'Slow Food' and 'Slow Cities' movements are gaining much support. The communications and computer revolution has given new impetus to the ideas that speed is good, but again characteristic downsides are emerging such as the storms of spam which threaten the amenity of email.
Many practical examples provide a more balanced view to counter the natural attraction of both fast moving processes and large-scale systems. For instance, the fast response of crops to soluble fertilisers is often short lived. Manures, compost and natural rock minerals generally provide more sustained and balanced plant nutrition. A good result from a little fertilizer does not mean better results from more.
In forestry, fast grown trees are often short lived, while some apparently slow growing but more valuable species accelerate and even surpass the fast species in their second and third decades. A small plantation of thinned and pruned trees can yield more total value than a large plantation without management.
In animal nutrition, rapidly grown livestock fed concentrated nutrients are often subject to more disease and have a lower life expectancy than more naturally raised animals. Overstocking is one of the most widespread causes of land degradation, and yet small numbers of managed livestock are beneficial if not essential to sustainable agriculture.
In crowded cities the apparent speed and convenience of cars stalls movement and destroys amenity, while much smaller, slower, more energy efficient bicycles allow freer movement, without pollution and noise. Bicycles can also be more efficiently manufactured and assembled in smaller and more local factories than the economies of scale necessary for the automotive industry.
The proverb 'the bigger they are, the harder they fall' is a reminder of one of the disadvantages of size and excessive growth. While the proverb 'slow and steady wins the race' is one of many that encourages patience while reflecting a common truth in nature and society.
The bigger they are, the harder they fall
Slow and steady wins the race
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