The profusion of good causes and the nonprofit groups that advance them can seem laughably overwhelming, but without altruistic grass-roots efforts, the world would be a far less merciful place. Environmentalist Hawken believes that we are in the midst of a world-changing rise of activist groups, all “working toward ecological sustainability and social justice.” Rather than an ideological or centralized movement, this coalescence is a spontaneous and organic response to the recognition that environmental problems are social-justice problems. Writing with zest, clarity, and a touch of wonder, Hawken compares this gathering of forces to the human immune system. Just as antibodies rally when the body is under threat, people are joining together to defend life on Earth. Hawken offers a fascinating history of our perception of nature and human rights and assesses the role indigenous cultures are playing in the quest for ecological responsibility and economic fairness. Hawken also presents an unprecedented map to this new “social landscape” that includes a classification system defining astonishingly diverse concerns, ranging from farming to child welfare, ocean preservation, and beyond. Fresh and informative, Hawken’s inspired overview charts much that is right in the world.

Will definitely try to read it!

……………………………………………………

And KT— So true what you say about making beautiful art—what we find when we dig deep is beautiful, well worth the dig! The other stuff seems so adolescent but then the whole culture does. What’s funny is that these kind of art venues have the idea they’re on the cutting edge.

I love that beautiful is now subversive.  Your art has the kind of energy that lifts us up!!!  Here’s to more of it!  The pendulum swings…
Great point about primitive societies.

So true about angst ridden art. It’s so much easier to create a disturbing piece which is v. close to the surface. What’s really difficult is to dig deep when one is feeling like shit and come up with something beautiful. I think the fashion for bad art is a sign that we’ve all gone soft. You don’t see primative societies producing this crap.