Getting inspired..

Firstly, for all you idealists who want to run away from post-modernism and begin a community that stands for something, listen to this weeks "Book of the Week"

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/arts/book_week.shtml

"Utopian Dreams

Written and read by Tobias Jones

Dissatisfied with what modern society has to offer, Tobias Jones decides to see if there's another way of living. Travelling with his wife and baby daughter, he embarks on a series of journeys to modern, self-contained communities … a pilgrimage to centres of idealism or escapism. "

Secondly, on education and development (and "NPR Rough Cuts" in general is excellent...

http://www.npr.org/blogs/roughcuts/2007/01/ordinary_oprahs.html

Thirdly, a bit of reader participation,

"Llights out everyone 1st of feb (at 19h55: GMT+1hr)

On the 1st February, 2007 throughout France:

The "Alliance pour la Planète" (a national grouping of environmental
associations) appeals to all citizens to give the planet 5 minutes respite :
everybody to extinguish all their lights and illuminations and turn off
equipment on stand-by on the 1st February 2007 from 19h55 until 20h00. The
purpose is not just to save electricity for 5 minutes that day, but to draw
the attention of citizens, the media and the authorities to the waste of
energy and the need to initiate action! 5 minutes respite for the planet:
that's not long, it costs nothing and will show our politicians that climate
change is something which should figure prominently in political debates.

Why the 1st February? Because that is the day on which the latest report of
the United Nations Panel of Experts is to be released in Paris. Although
this event is scheduled to take place in France, we should not miss this
opportunity of drawing attention to the global climatic situation.

If we all participate our actions will have great public and political
resonance, at an important moment in our political life.!"