Using these three woul be a concise way of capturing the essence of any project, maybe even NCI.

Being one of the same three volunteers, I know it’s not superhuman, but I also know just setting the example doesn’t enroll the others to participate. We can frame it as “enlightened self-interest,” “tithing,” “many hands make light work,” or some other way, but the results are the same. We need something new.

I agree that we mis-focus on standard of living over quality of life.

As an alternative to “enlightened self-interest” I offer another approach here.

Fundamental to all of these issues are the roles that we play. If the majority of us keep coming to public affairs as vassals, artisans and serfs, no amount of cajoling will create the participation for which democracy calls.

I invite you again to read more of the site. I think you’ll find opportunities to create movement where we’ve been stuck.

I’d say the sensibilities we come from, as you’ve articulated beautifully just above, have failed to enroll people. Though I think you and I want the same thing, I’m not up for strategies that require superpeople to implement.

The dreams of the founding fathers are centuries old. They were a breakthrough. But they’re played out. I don’t mean they’ve been realized, but rather that they no longer inspire. They are great vis-a-vis what came before but so was the Model T. If only we were as willing to reinvent their work as we are Henry Ford’s. Rather than invoke the founders we need to emulate them. We need to create new visions.

I think if you read more of the site that you’ll find new possibilities and visions. I’m hoping that they’ll take you in new directions that will better reward your superhuman passion and commitment.

I can “hear” Nonviolent Communication (in Wikipedia) in your writing. I’ve read Nonviolent Communication (at Amazon), attended a couple of workshops with Marshall Rosenberg, and actually taught NVC in Sunday school. I think it’s excellent work, and hope its influence spreads.

NCI: If you could change the world, how would it be?
George: People engaged in clear communication of what they see and hear, simply connected to their feelings and respective needs, asking for what they want in clear, positive and doable ways.

NCI: What’s keeping the world from working the way you think it can?
Ignorance, apathy, misunderstanding, violence and despair.

I think we have some pretty serious misleaders in American politics today. They scare me. I wonder what people are thinking when they vote for these misleaders either in the ballot box, or with Nielsen points.

Where it gets sticky for me is attempting to remove misleaders. Those who say ends justify means are misleaders themselves. So the only way to remove misleaders is to intensively lead those who voted for them in the first place. Using your metaphor, we need to build up our anti-bodies. This is a real challenge.

This challenge is one reason why I think we need to shift the context of citizenship to leadership. Only by all of us taking responsibility for leadership can these voters be reached.