Acharya Prashant clarifies that the concept of degrowth or minimalism does not necessitate abandoning civilization and technology to live in a jungle. Instead, it is about sustainability. He argues that our current rate of resource consumption is unsustainable, citing that if the entire world population consumed at the level of an average American, we would require 17 Earths. Since these resources are finite and fossil fuels are depleting, he advocates for developing better technologies and weaning ourselves off unsustainable practices. Minimalism, according to the speaker, is not about eliminating essentials but about minimizing the inessential to maximize what is truly essential. It is presented as good news, not a call for zero consumption. He points out that even animals consume and adapt their environment to suit their needs, such as dogs digging holes or birds building nests. Similarly, humans are entitled to build homes, but not to engage in self-defeating, mindless consumption that leads to our own destruction. He identifies the current climate crisis as fundamentally a crisis of consumption. Acharya Prashant explains that while the common person may aspire to consume more, it is the affluent, who act as role models, that are in a position to do so. He suggests that these role models should be regulated and even publicly reprimanded for promoting irresponsible lifestyles. This, he believes, would send the right message to the general population. He also touches upon the ethics of having children, noting that while it is a personal choice, a cooperative approach like having one or at most two children would lead to a necessary population decline. He questions the obsession with the economy, asking whether we prioritize welfare or economics, and points out that much of our consumption is driven by false values and social conditioning, such as patriarchy influencing the desire for large vehicles, rather than by real needs. The core issue is the intention behind our actions and our lust for consumption, which can only be limited when we understand who we are.