Ideas for America Discussion Guide

IDEAS FOR AMERICA DISCUSSION GUIDE

Although the book contains hundreds of ideas, all of them are united under one front; to improve quality of life for all living things. How to study these goals is up to you, but one thing is for sure; we’re going to need many, many different voices to be heard for this work to have a chance to have a positive impact on people’s lives.

You might ask what’s the most important idea or principle of the book? Above all, we need to love and respect one other. The ideas in this book are great, but they mean little without our commitment to treating each other and those who can’t defend themselves well.

What do we need; new authors, participation in college classrooms and Local Papers. It will take hundreds of writers to explore the relatively unexplored themes in this book. I believe there are easily enough themes here for hundreds of full books, if only folks take the time to find and develop them. College classrooms can contribute to the productive debate by doing problem solving and policy analysis in the classroom. The hearts and minds of college students can contribute to elevate the quality and spirit of analysis. Local newspapers can reestablish a new role for themselves by engaging in greater analysis; by helping readers understand how a rapidly changing world affects them. To achieve this, journalists will need a system to continue to develop their knowledge. 

What did you think about the 7 key concerns in the Discussion Guide from the book? What did you think were the biggest points of the book were? Did you disagree with anything I covered? What would be a better approach? Let us know, this is your forum!

A Healthier and Greener New England

“Most of the shadows of this life are caused by standing on one’s own sunshine.”

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

In this chapter we “bring it all home” by looking at the ideas discussed throughout the book and applying them to the quality of life in towns and cities of my home region of New England. It’s exciting for me; every part of the region is so different but still there are steps forward we can take that are good for everyone.

1. Are there any “rail trails” near your hometown? Have you been on one?
2. Is it exciting for you to imagine connecting the network of bike paths and rail trails into a New England network?
3. What is one way to build bike paths much more cost-effectively?
4. What do you think of the Safe Routes Brattleboro story? Could this model be imitated in rural Massachusetts?
5. Is table 9.4 helpful?
6. Do you think the “roommate pooling” model can help struggling young people?
7. Were any of the points on health care and wellness new or interesting?
8. Which “Health Care Course” do you like? Which would you take if you had the option?
9. What do you think of the idea that Massachusetts college classes study and ways to secure Social Security? Is this realistic or feasible?
10. What do you think are the best ways that the Massachusetts media can support public well-being?

Tell us how you feel about these thoughts. Share them with your friends and family and get your community involved in the solutions to our world.

Building Health and Well-being

 

“If health fails, teaching, knowledge, life itself, all comes to naught. So have nothing to do with alcohol and avoid all things against which the conscience speaks.”

-Ras Tafari

100 Days of Progress
This chapter exists because I believe many Americans can enjoy life more through systematically building their well-being. In my language teaching I always emphasize two steps; 1) Define your goals and the elements of making progress that go into reaching them. And, 2) Figure out a program that will allow you to make progress every day. Then, carry out this program for 100 days. When you make progress every day, there is no pressure to rush.

Chapter Seven Questions: Here are some things to ponder

You don't have to answer them all, but answer the ones you care about most or add in your own sentiments.

 

1. Were you surprised by any of the statistics on stress and depression?
2. Do you agree with the “possible causes” of stress, depression, and obesity put forward by this chapter?
3. What is the role of exercise for you?
4. Have you ever had any problems with stress or depression?
5. What did you think about table 8.1?
6. What is your take on the summer facilities model?
7.  Before reading this article, what did you know about declining testosterone levels? What information was new?
8. Which of the ideas on “building community” can best fight stress and depression?
9. Do you think a time bank could help you in your life?
10. How large of an impact do you think time banks can have on the stress and depression of elderly, isolated people?

Tell us how you feel about these thoughts. Share them with your friends and family and get your community involved in the solutions to our world.