Otto Scharmer, from MIT's U-Lab movement, says "the future of leadership will be more feminine"
"Don't scale UP, scale OUT". Municipalism isn't just about a smaller version of the old state - but a new kind of politics
Alternatives are flourishing because noisy, energetic participation chimes with so many people
A/UK at Barbican's We Know What We May Be - and videos of other speakers too
Stephen Duncombe's political questions: "What does that look like? What does that feel like? What is the joy in that?"
Restore the abandoned buildings, keep the libraries and parks open, and have fun in civil society
Another road to the local: a think-tank and a mega-bank collaborate to serve Bury
EVENT SUGGESTIONS FOR THE COMING WEEKS
The 3rd Annual Archimedes Screw Fest@Totnes Weir on the River Dart
Sat 6 Oct, 10-16 Join us as we celebrate the many ways we all care for the River Dart – we support clean energy, make art, write poetry, stop plastic getting into it, learn about biodiversity, become citizen scientists, notice problems, track and log wildlife, swim, boat and fish considerately…
There will be loads of fun activities going on all day, rain or shine…
Turbine Tours at 12 noon and 3pm
Eureka! Meet Archimedes in person
Citizen Science and rivers bugs with Westcountry Rivers Trust
Join in with the “Plastic Free Salmon” art project
Find out about BLC’s pilot Dart Charter on the Dartington Estate
Learn about more community energy investment opportunities
Yummy arancini (Archimedes favourite snack) from The Kitchen Table.
Hackney has become known as an 'Urban Arboretum' and with good reason: this east end borough is home to perhaps the most diverse selection of street trees in London. Over 300 species and cultivars can be found, and on this walk around a small part of the borough we will encounter at least 10%.
"In Hackney, you can find streets lined with Kentucky Coffee Trees in Clapton, Hibiscus in Shoreditch, Wild Service Tree in Stoke Newington and Scots Pine in Dalston. The urban forest is relatively young here but what it lacks in maturity, it makes up for in diversity. There is something of interest at virtually every turn, and it will be exciting to see this part of town mature in the coming years." from 'London’s Street Trees' by Paul Wood.
Come to a South Devon & Plymouth "Inquiry"@Devonport Guildhall Sat 13 Oct, 10.30-17 A Social Saturday double-bill. When you think about your local community, what immediately comes to mind? What are the best things about it? And what’s missing right now? Imagine what a better future could be: meaningful livelihoods, connected communities, a healthier planet... What do we want? How can we use the coming age of robots and technology to our advantage - to set us free? What role can community business play in shaping the future of our communities? What concrete steps can we take to lead us to a future we are all looking forward to? In June, over 100 people came together at the Devonport Guildhall for a ‘Friendly’ gathering. We had some beautiful food from Veggie Perrins, free drink, music, poetry, theatre and plenty of good chat. A very diverse community just getting to know each other. Now those same people – and anyone else who wants to join us – are invited to Part 2. More here.
FINALLY All of you reading this have signed up to co-create The Alternative UK. Respect to you for knowing that an alternative is possible. We need your help and participation but know in return that not everyone has the time to do more than they are already doing. Not everyone can put the political work at the centre of their project – but they hope and wish that someone would. That someone is us. Please support our work so that it will get done – not just in a minimalist, marginalist way, but in a real and connected way that will cause lasting change. A one-off donation helps enormously. But a regular donation is a game changer.
