Worldwide, people are deciding that the well-being of their local community and its economy lies with them
That’s Rob Hopkins’ central message in new book The Power of Just Doing Stuff
No 778 Posted by fw, June 14, 2013
“Something is stirring. People around the world are deciding that the well-being of their local community and its economy lies with them. They’re people like you. They’ve had enough, and, rather than waiting for permission, they’re rolling up their sleeves, getting together with friends and neighbours, and doing something about it. Whether they start small or big, they’re finding that just doing stuff can transform their neighbourhoods and their lives.” —Rob Hopkins
To coincide with the publication of Rob Hopkins’ new book The Power of Just Doing Stuff, Emma Goude, producer of ‘In Transition 1.0’ and ‘In Transition 2.0’, made this 2-minute film that captures the spirit of the new book.
The book is available for under $10 in North America here — Amazon.ca and Amazon.com
“Something is stirring. People around the world are deciding that the well-being of their local community and its economy lies with them. They’re people like you. They’ve had enough, and, rather than waiting for permission, they’re rolling up their sleeves, getting together with friends and neighbours, and doing something about it. Whether they start small or big, they’re finding that just doing stuff can transform their neighbourhoods and their lives.
The Power of Just Doing Stuff argues that this shift represents the seeds of a new economy – the answer to our desperate search for a new way forward – and at its heart are people deciding that change starts with them. Communities worldwide are already modelling a more local economy rooted in place, in well-being, in entrepreneurship and in creativity. And it works”.
The aim of The Power of Just Doing Stuff is to take Transition mainstream, to reach out to more people, and to make it famous. Now is very much the time to be doing that. It aims to share the ideas that the Transition movement has defined over the last 8 years in a way that connects with people both within it and outside, and to share the experience and thrill of working as a community and taking power back into our own hands. We feel this really represents a landmark publication for Transition, a real push to scale up these ideas and their impacts. It is also much more international than previous Transition books, with stories from around the world.
The Power of Just Doing Stuff: How local action can change the world, published June 4, 2013
Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1 Why we need to do something
Chapter 2 Opening the door to new possibilities
Chapter 3 The power of just getting on with it
Chapter 4 Daring to dream: where we could end up
Resources
Notes
Rob Hopkins is the co-founder of Transition Town Totnes and of Transition Network. He publishes the blog transitionculture.org and tweets as robintransition. In February 2012 Rob and the Transition Network were among NESTA and The Observer’s list of Britain’s 50 New Radicals, and in 2012 won the European Economic and Social Committee Civil Society Prize.
ENDORSEMENTS
Tony Juniper, author — What has Nature ever done for us?
“There is good reason to believe that the old order is coming to an end. A new normal is emerging, and if societies are to thrive then we will need to do things differently. While the transition must be assisted with technology and policy, this book describes the awesome power of just doing stuff. Rob Hopkins reminds us how actions speak louder than words, and he does it with practical examples and the passion of someone who has successfully practiced what he writes about”.
Sheila Dillon, Presenter of BBC Radio 4′s The Food Programme
“Once upon a time it was tempting to mock the idea of a ‘Transition town’ or even transition itself. Rob Hopkins is a truly original thinker who has not only given that concept meaning but has put it into practice in a way that now influences individuals and communities in many parts of the world. The essential proposition is not only that we have to adapt our way of life to meet the enormous environmental challenges that we face but that it is quite possible – and no less practically to the point – a stimulating and enjoyable process as well. If ever there was an idea whose time has come, this is it. Rob Hopkins’ book is a truly unique piece of work that anyone who cares about our future in this densely populated and threatened world should read. It offers original thought and clear analysis. It also combines realism and hope”.
Jonathan Dimbleby, writer and broadcaster.
“Rob’s book is a manual of practical wisdom; it is hopeful and realistic, it shows what can be achieved, it encourages us to think beyond the self, beyond the rules. There is a wealth of thriving examples in this book that show how quickly positive change can happen, how social enterprise does actually make a very sound investment, how sharing skills and time enriches a community. I believe that in the future Rob Hopkins will be seen as influential as EF Schumacher, the original Permaconomist. The Power of Just Doing Stuff will sit alongside my copy of Small is Beautiful and in time, will be just as well-thumbed”.
SEE ALSO
- It’s our worldview, stupid. It’s time to change it posted June 11, 2013 — Crossroads: Labor Pains of a New Worldview is a 64-minute documentary film exploring the depths of the current human condition and the emergence of a new worldview that is recreating our world from the inside out. Without exaggeration, this may be the most important documentary film you will see this year, if not in your lifetime. Just by watching it and sharing it with your family, friends and acquaintances, you can participate in a global transition to a new worldview. “One little change in one little community can affect a much larger human community ….Changes can come very fast.” Help be that change.
