[Ailist] Transition towns - the opportunity within Peak Oil/Global Warming/Currency collapse

[Ignite Systems Ltd]

Hi everyone,
This is an oblique but practical application of AI
As we all know significant global changes are already afoot. Many are
acutely aware of this, and busy trying to do something about this in their
own ways. Last week I heard an interview on the radio that was fascinating
to listen to in this context. This is about Transition Towns. 
What are those, you ask? In short, my version: these are local communities,
could be anywhere, preparing for a time where the Western world's life
styles and dependencies will become unsustainable. 
The whole thing comes across as clean, positive, reasonable, realistic, calm
and collected, light and bright, and quite visionary. The approach used is
positive, was refreshing.
You can listen to the interview by clicking on this link
http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/national/ngts/transition_culture
This link will probably only be available for a very limited time, I don't
know how long, so if you want to listen, best do it straight away.
It lasts 17 minutes. I recommend to listen to at least the first 4 minutes
or so, that will likely tell you if you would find it of interest or not.
The remaining interview covers all sorts of topics, such as 
- making communities resilient and ready to cope with change
- promoting local businesses (good initiative, with so many jobs moving off
to low wage countries!)
- introducing a new local currency
At 14 minutes or so into the interview it speaks of how this initiative
originally started in Ireland but then spread across the globe to many other
towns. At 14.55 it is said that the spread of this initiative is "VIRAL" in
nature..! It originally started in Ireland but now there are many
"Transition Towns" in many countries.
Enjoy,
Bruce
P.S. websites recommended in this interview:
http://www.transitiontowns.org.nz/ (New Zealand context)
http://transitionculture.org/ (world wide)