The objective of this project is to prompt new (and sometimes old) ways of thinking about the critical – but often hidden – issues that shape our future.  Fateful decisions are being made without our input that have global impact, often rippling back home with negative results.  It is time for us to reengage as citizens to return the power center to the people so that we can reconstruct a system that works for all who participate. 

The book's cover image was designed to illustrate the concept of a compact, well-integrated, and locally owned community that creates a strong sense of place — an environment worth caring about, and for.  Human-scaled communities are, by design and definition, diverse, walkable, vibrant, and self-sustaining.

This is not a new concept, of course.  This is the model used, in different forms, for millennia around the world.  In the US, thousands of such villages and towns organically developed in the three centuries prior to World War II.  In the decades since, most are dying away, rendered obsolete by a tidal shift of economics — from local to regional to national, and now global. 

These towns, already equipped with the infrastructure and buildings to support re-localized economies, culture and politics, wait to be dusted off, touched up, and put back into service.

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Introduction

Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.

  —Philip K. Dick

 There is at least a half-century backlog of real work to be done around the world these days. Humanity faces profound economic, sociological and political challenges that require the development and deployment of low-impact energy sources; efficient transportation modalities; massive infrastructure reconfigurations; clean, local food production; affordable housing; and meaningful, living-wage vocations.

Yet at the same time the world is mired in systemic, long-term unemployment.

There is no clearer evidence that the monolithic ‘finance economy’ is failing the majority of society.  The time and opportunity are upon us to get serious about creating a new world, which in all likelihood will look much like one past.  It is imperative that competent, compassionate people grab the reins and lead the way as we plan the next leg of the human journey.

We now live in a society where we are more often thought of as consumers than we are as citizens.  It is time we finally, collectively, take a long hard look at the consumer-society and consider where it's leading us, and what it's doing to us as a nation and a species.  Is there an alternative operating system that could produce better results?  Given the massive unemployment, faltering economy, decaying infrastructure, ravaged natural environment, as well as physical and mental health statistics, it is hard to argue that the system is not working for the majority of Americans, or for that matter, the humanity or the planet as a whole.

This book will first briefly explore how we got to where we are today, and the ecological and societal destruction that’s been wrought by the prevailing power structure.  But the book’s primary focus and purpose is an exploration of our best options going forward, for a better system is absolutely within our grasp, and not all that difficult to achieve should we muster the will and foresight to move from here to there.  And really, what other option do we have?

I know that there are billions of people around the world who feel the same as I do about these issues.  We billions just need a handful to come together, solve these real problems on a local level, and demonstrate that a better way is not only feasible, but completely attainable.  I truly believe this new model —vibrant, meaningful and real— will catch like wildfire once it is up and running for others to see what is possible. 

So we do this for ourselves, and for all those who will come after, for they equally deserve a fair and habitable planet to live upon and revel within — in peace and freedom from fear and need.  Given the proper perspective, all comes neatly into focus; truth is no longer hidden in plain sight. 

All we need are a few hundred dedicated and willing accomplices, and a sturdy old town that is waiting to be reborn. 

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related concept

Napa Midwest

an urban farm, market, and café