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Unfiltered and Unfettered Kindness at the Grassroots Radio Conference
Had a fabulous time, this weekend, at the Grassroots Radio Conference in (itself fabulous) Lowell, MA. I met dozens of radio producers and fellow progressive travelers from around the world – lifelong activists, most of them. The whole event totally psyched me up and recharged my batteries, and reminded me of the critical importance of…
Read MoreYes, You Can Change the System From Within…
From Daily Kos “The last few days saw advertisers like GM and American Express fleeing from Imus, but the head of NBC claims that’s not what caused him to stop the simulcasts of Imus’ show. It was the pressure from inside NBC. The pressure from staffers and reporters who were tired of being associated with…
Read MoreDog of the Year
Check out this year’s Dog of the Year – or substitute your own dog!
Read MoreA 16-Year-Old + A Videocamera + the Web = A Better Future
Margaret Mead famously said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has,” and legions of technology devotees (including moi) keep insisting that the Internet and digital technologies are ushering in nothing less than a new, global Renaissance. Both points by now…
Read MoreBecause Voting Isn’t Enough: Ten Easy Pieces
Living one’s values can seem a daunting task, especially if those values are outside the mainstream, or you’re struggling just to earn a living. That’s why this list of ten relatively easy things you can do to change the world is so welcome. It’s from the Small Planet Institute, the brainchild of Frances Moore Lappe,…
Read MoreSolving Problems vs. Dithering Over Them
Q. In your talk, you discussed the importance of solving problems as opposed to dithering over them. What’s the difference, and what exactly does dithering mean? A. Solving a problem means taking specific actions that lead to change. These include observing the problem, precisely defining it, developing a strategy to solve it, testing the strategy,…
Read MoreI want to take a dance class. Is that evil?
Q. For years, I’ve wanted to take a jazz dance class, and now, after having read the part of The Lifelong Activist that says it’s good to meet your creative and other non-activist needs, I’m finally thinking of signing up for one. The only problem is that every time I actually get ready to call…
Read MoreAllergic to Spreadsheets
Q. Do I have to do time management the way you say in The Lifelong Activist? I’m allergic to spreadsheets! A. In The Lifelong Activist I offer a strategy for managing one’s time that involves (1) coming up with a short list of professional and personal priorities, based on your Mission, and allotting a set…
Read MoreHappiness = Reality/Expectations
For some reason – maybe pre-holiday anxiousness? – there’s a lot being written about the nature and attainment of happiness this week. Not just the below-referenced article on happiness from the WSJ, but another article from the WSJ on cognitive dissonance as a coping strategy (subscription – hence, no link), and now a long article…
Read MoreHow to Be Happier
Today’s Wall Street Journal has a terrific article on how to be happier. It’s subscription only, but here are some highlights: 1) PROLONG YOUR ENJOYMENT AND CELEBRATION OF HAPPY EVENTS The article states, “Possibly the biggest obstacle to greater happiness is so-called hedonic adaptation. Sure, you are thrilled when you first get promoted or get…
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