Taking Action

Ho'oponopono Mediation

Thanks to the fantastic people who turned out for my Honolulu book talk.  During the discussion afterward there was mention of a traditional Hawaiian mediation practice called Ho'oponopono Mediation. Here's a summary of this conflict resolution system from a University of Hawaii law professor.

Georgetown Global Forum

Today you can watch a live feed of Georgetown's Global Forum in New York.  Topic: "Profit, Policy & Philanthropy: The Keys to Global Development."  Thanks to Mirna for sending me the link!

Agricultural development

In Foreign Policy online, Robert Paarlberg argues that "investments in agricultural development" will be more effective in reducing hunger in Africa than food aid.

What should we know about?

Since starting this blog, I've posted links to dozens of social and economic development, community-building, and social action websites that I've thought had the potential to do something cool.

What do you think should be added to the list?  And why?

The cost of corruption

A new article in the International Herald Tribune demonstrates the human toll of corruption in Romania.

Flood-tolerant rice

Scientists and farmers are continuing to discuss the safety of genetically modified crops.  In India and Bangladesh, meanwhile, farmers have successfully field-tested a new strain of modified, flood-tolerant rice that could potentially have a huge impact: "Scientists estimate 4 million tons of rice are lost every year because of flooding," declares CNN.  "That's enough rice to feed 30 million people."

Attack of the Sea Kittens

PETA is very good at getting attention.  Case in point: I'm writing about them right now.  But one of the (several) reasons I dislike their approach to activism is that it so often embraces blatant inaccuracy.  This is demonstrated by their latest campaign, the thought process behind which goes something like this:

1. People should care about fish.
2. People don't care about fish.
3. People care about kittens.
4. Call fish kittens.

Voila, you have a rallying cry: "Save the Sea Kittens."

However, the point PETA is trying to make is lost beneath a very obvious flaw: fish are not actually kittens.

Three pillars of sustainability

This Venn diagram, which I saw today on Wikipedia, is a clear illustration of the interaction of the "three pillars of sustainability":

Taking Action in India

In response to questions about the availability of Taking Action in India, I have done some investigating and am disappointed to report that it is not currently being distributed anywhere on the subcontinent.  My publisher advises readers in India to buy it directly from their website.

India happens to be where I conducted the core research that Taking Action evolved from, and some of my favorite case studies in the book are profiles of successful Indian projects.

Trust

As Bernard Madof's Ponzi scheme demonstrates, modern capitalism requires trust to thrive.