Really excellent piece in explaining these oppositions. As you note, both Lovins and Kunstler have a point. We need social change, and we need innovation. However, in the opposition between the 'eco-efficiency' ideal and the 'mankind change your ways' mode of thought, some things also get lost. Both are also wrong in some ways, or rather, ignore some essential points. So I think that we can't stop with a comparison of this opposition and perhaps a synthesis. We have to transcend the difference.

A first step in that direction is to recognise that social changes can also be innovations, can also be progress. And that on the other hand technological change can be a key enabler of and driver towards social change. So we need a more eco-efficient technostructure. And we also need a more dematerialised lifestyle. The trick is to make these work hand in hand.