People change for all sorts of reasons – and later on people change to save money now, or in the future, for moral reasons (because they cannot bear the effect their behaviour is having on other people or beings) or because Leonardo deCaprio is doing it, or because it’s forced on them because of policy, or worse, circumstance.

I don’t think Transition Towns are about making people change, or even persuading people to change; in Lewes we are trying to get information out widely and inviting people to be involved when they are ready – and there’s plenty to do when they turn up with ideas!

Numbers-wise probably the majority of Lewes residents have heard of us but probably a minority have changed their behaviour as a result.

1. Leading on from that, it’s a relatively effortless approach – Transtitioning is not about banging on doors but about inviting people to get involved – and since the world is changing so quickly and people are feeling motivated to get involved in creative solutions, there’s quite a bit of serendipity – the timing can be spot on.

For me, it’s felt exhilarating to be involved in transition towns and to feel my and other people’s experience is of use in these changing times.

I hear the pain and the call for radical change, and I would love to have some conversation face to face – typing is so unsatisfactory when we delve into matters of the heart. I trust that as I am able to have such conversations with others near me, you also have people with whom you can confide and share deeply.

I don’t have answers for all your questions, and ask them often enough to myself too. I ma choosing to work to support this Transition Town initiative because it embraces so many of the things I have been getting going in my community, and because I see it is attracting people and drawing them (in a gentle transitional way) towards a way of living and being that has potential to impact on others who need support in the ways you have described.

Blessings and love, James

I don’t think these issues are ever addressed properly anywhere, purely because because they present such a challenge. The questions that need to be asked and considered; how do people use their time, why do they use their time in the way they do, how could people use their time. How does western society prevent people from using their time in a way that produces sustainable actions. What about those people who are most vulnerable in society. as you can see I have a interest in those people who are most excluded from society, in human behaviour and how people use their time.

Please address these issues. It sometimes feels like they are ‘swept under the carpet’, and while a few people have changed the world in the past – this is not one of those times when a few people will make the difference that is needed. And if only a few people are involved this makes the movement elitist and exclusive.

Also, lets not give ourselves too many pats on the back for wanting to potentially save the planet for its inhabitants– it can come across as arrogant and will only alienate others. Its our duty, lets be humble about it.

Ps, just wondering how people see the future of this form of communication which relies soley on electricity.

okay, i’m not playing devils advocate either….!

I think perhaps 10% might even be generous for a minimum seed group, although it depends on the culture. In small towns where everyone knows everyone for generations, it might need to be higher. In large metropoli, far lower is quite enough. Most people have lives to live and are not wanting to be bothered with the latest new project, even one that affects their future profoundly, so it is really a matter of tacit support for the movers and shakers.

We all know what Gregory Bateson’s partner had to say about this, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed
citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

Here is another, less used quote (yet) from Al Gore’s Nobel lecture: “The outer boundary of what we currently believe is feasible is still far short of what we actually must do.
Moreover, between here and there, across the unknown, falls the shadow.” I’d say a big part of that shadow is self-doubt and weakness of resolve. If only a few have the resolve, then that is what we have, and grateful for it. I concur with James that trust is not taken but built, brick by brick. And the thing about resolve is that it can be contageous.

Though the numbers are not of people banging on the door wanting to “join up,” as if it was a club or a religion. One of the beauty’s is that the TT framework is open enough and inclusive in its character, for people to feel very easy about connecting to it. So if they are involved in some initiative which at its root is supporting and strengthening the community, they are likely to relate to the TT model once the awareness raising step has done its job.

And this relates to the second question. My sense is that the attractiveness of the model has to do with a process which occurs when an individual can see all the initiatives that are being developed or that are already in place, especially when he/she knows some of the people (from their town) who are involved in those projects. At this point they see where they are, or can be, playing a valuable part in creating the abundance needed to thrive. This engenders a growing trust since they notice that others are doing the same in their area of endeavour, and together they are cocreating a healthy and bright future of mutual support for each other and future generations.

Thanks for the questions and the opportunity for dialogue.