Who says that all possible social and political systems have already been invented? Or that work-or marriage, or environmentalism, or anything else-must be just what they are now?
This book is a conceptual toolbox for imagining and initiating radical social change. Chapters offer specific, focused, and shareable techniques:
Seeking a Whole Vision: Creating a pull and not just a push toward change
Generative Thinking: Looking for "Seeds" and "Sparks", Stretching and Twisting Ideas, and Going Two Steps Too Far
Looking for Unexpected Openings: "Weeds" and "Wild Cards," Inside Tracks, Leverage Points, and Hidden Possibilities
Working at the Roots: Reconstructing the built world, cultural practices, even worldviews
Building Momentum: Playing to our Strengths, Reclaiming the Language, "Allying Everywhere," Doing it Now, Going for Broke
Leap-frogging new kinds of cars and better mass transit in turn, why not a world in which "transportation" itself is unneeded? What about remaking New Orleans as a floating city, or putting only extreme surfers in the path of hurricanes? And why not dream of the stars? The question is not whether radical change is coming. It is already well underway. The only question is who will make it. Why not us?
Anthony Weston is a professor of philosophy at Elon University in North Carolina, where he teaches ethics, environmental studies, and "Millennial Imagination." He is the author of ten other books, including Back to Earth, Jobs for Philosophers, and Creativity for Critical Thinkers.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
Doing it!:
I have enjoyed this little book so much that I bought ten more of them to share with friends. I have already been playing with some of Weston's insights. When my town supervisor explained why the town would not be able to consider a proposal for low-income housing for seniors I remembered Weston's observations about windmills, and challenged right back: OK you've explained the conditions under which you can't consider it but let's try to imagine the conditions under which it would be viable. Now, how can we... more info
Interesting Premise Polluted by Author's Biases:
This book is not about politics, but the author's political perspective is inescapable. His progressivist ideals seep through on every page, and his intended audience is obviously limited to those who already agree with him. In fact, his tone seems to suggest that he doesn't see how any intelligent person could possibly disagree with him. If you like John Lennon's song "Imagine" and the values it represents, then you'll probably like this book. If you're looking for something more thought provoking,... more info
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