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Thinking Points, by George Lakoff

The Rockridge Institute hosts the entire text of George Lakoff's book Thinking Points as a vision document for political conversation in the United States. I'm an unabashed Lakoff fan, so I loved the book, but the site also has substantial archives of conversations, facilitated by Joe Brewer, that took place around the various chapters. I particularly liked the final chapter in the book, The Art of Arguments, that is a sort of primer of reframing issues. It makes me wonder what a comprehensive effort to broaden the frame of reference of civil society organizations might look like, given how many are trapped within a frame that actually undermines the very issues they purport to be working on. Posted: 10/16/07; 6:34:18 PM #

Circle of Life Foundation Asks: What's Your Tree?

The Circle of Life Foundation is in the process of launching a civic engagement program entitled What's Your Tree? The reason I'm mentioning it now, well before launch, is because the concept really appeals to me. The question comes from Julia Butterfly Hill's well known sit up in the tree known as Luna. But what it conveys is even more important: how all our issues are connected and how powerful it can be to focus in tightly on a single aspect of the system. As you probably recall, I have a great frustration with the fragmentation of civil society and the isolation of our organizations and causes. Hill's story and this program has the potential to show that connection can be compatible with focus. Posted: 10/16/07; 6:25:48 PM #

2007 Worldwide Press Freedom Index

Reporters Sans Frontières has released their 2007 Worldwide Press Freedom Index. The big news is that now bloggers are as threatened worldwide as traditional media are, which puts nonprofits under even greater restrictions. The U.S. has gained slightly compared to last year, although it still ranks 48th of 169 nations, behind places like Estonia, Namibia, and Trinidad. Posted: 10/16/07; 6:19:36 PM #