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Chapter 1:

PREFACE

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The Problem With Our World

Look around. Many people chase money, power, and status. Those with power look down on and exploit those below, and many people are too quick to go along with those who have power. This hurts everyone. But there's another way — one where everyone has enough to live on, feels safe, and follows their dreams while helping others. 

People Are Working on Solutions

People are trying to fix this by:

  • Making sure everyone has economic security

  • Standing up against unfair treatment

  • Protecting nature

  • Stopping conflicts before they turn violent

  • Creating ways for people to relate as equals

  • Working together in caring teams

 

These efforts are based on people looking out for each other instead of just themselves. Instead of a few people having all control, everyone works together. Some communities are already testing these ideas.

To help people find and learn from these efforts, I'm working with an AI assistant called Claude to identify and evaluate the most effective resources (essays, videos, podcasts, etc,) and activist organizations. This partnership allows us to process far more information than any individual could handle alone, spot patterns across different movements, and keep our recommendations current and comprehensive. It's an exciting development that could help grassroots movements become much more effective by learning from each other's successes.

Real change comes from regular people working together, not just waiting for leaders. We need both new structures (ways to organize our activities) throughout society  AND personal growth. We must:

  • Look at ourselves honestly

  • Accept when we're wrong

  • Be ready to change

  • Help others grow, too

 

Yes, it's easier to watch TikTok than face hard truths. But together, we can build something better. Even small changes in how we treat each other can lead to bigger improvements.

In fact, this growth could help grow a large, sustained, united grassroots movement dedicated to these goals. The need for this movement is compelling, as the moderate, mainstream David Brooks articulated in his April 17, 2025, New York Times column, when he said we need a big movement using "lawsuits, rallies, strikes, and boycotts" to create both short-term and long-term change focused on positive goals that get at root problems. Moreover, in his record-breaking 25-hour March 31, 2025, speech on the Senate floor, Cory Booker pointed out one way to help achieve this goal: people becoming "ignition points for each other." Mutual inspiration and peer support are essential. This website is dedicated to nurturing a movement like this that integrates the personal and the political.

My Personal Journey

I've spent my life fighting selfishness, greed, war, and unfairness while pushing for real change. Though I've worked on many issues, this basic goal has always stayed the same.

I try to live by my values while accepting that everyone finds their own path. I work on becoming a better person and creating ways for people to work together as equals.

But sometimes I did these things just to feed my own ego, often without realizing it.

My Struggles and Growth

When I ask people how they want to improve, most say: "I want to judge others less and be less arrogant." I've struggled with this too.

I've wanted to be seen as a"great" person. I've worried too much about what others thought of me. My gut reactions are often defensive.

When working with community groups, I’ve sometimes pushed my own ideas instead of trusting the group to figure things out together.

I lived in voluntary poverty for years and unfairly looked down on middle-class people for being "too materialistic."

My strong tendency to reject authority sometimes made me refuse to compromise when I should have.

But I'm learning and growing:

  • I gained more respect for middle-class life when I made good money driving taxis part-time and enjoyed more comforts.

  • I now better understand how some authority structures are necessary.

  • I still believe in my ideals, but I no longer aim for some huge transformation. Instead, I figure we can improve things step by step, while promoting major changes.

 

Life's big questions aren't easy: When should you fight and when stay quiet? When to speak up and when to keep silent? When to stick to your beliefs and when to go with the group?

My Work and Goals

Throughout my life, I've focused on four main goals:

  1. Finding and sharing truth, fighting for justice, creating beauty

  2. Connecting personal growth with political change

  3. Helping everyday people have more power over their lives

  4. Keeping powerful people and institutions in check

  5.  

  6. Pushing society to honor its highest ideals

 

This work has involved many issues: civil rights, stopping wars, giving students more say in education, protecting mental patients' rights, improving public transportation, creating cooperatives where people share ownership, building cultural centers, and fighting poverty.

To help activists be more effective, I organized strategy workshops from 2004 to 2019. I did research, shared proposals, interviewed people, created surveys, published books for feedback, tested different support methods, and talked with fellow activists.

I feel it's my duty to:

  • Foster respect for everyone's basic equality

  • Help people work together better

  • Encourage compassionate action

  • Help build stronger partnerships

  • Reduce unnecessary hierarchies

  • Support people's right to determine their own path

  • Strengthen freedom and democracy

 

My beliefs have changed while writing this. I'm still learning every day. The essays and resources presented here sharemy current thinking concerning the best ideas and proven methods that people can use to work toward these goals.

 

Many people have helped with this project, but I'm responsible for the final edits.

I welcome your feedback and am always open to new ideas.

Wade Lee Hudson, 5/20/2025

Introduction

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