by C. S. Drury (Author), Jim Tull (Author)
Positive Thinking in a Dark Age is a collection of fourteen essays written over the past fifteen years by visionary activist, thinker and teacher, Jim Tull. In a contentious world where social action usually means either direct aid or some form of political response, these essays together promote a 'third way' that is rooted in systems thinking, cultural transformation and the rebuilding of small-scale communities. Evidence of cultural and systemic unraveling is exposed throughout the essays, but emphasis is placed more on guiding and inspiring change. The author's own journey is profiled in a way that balances prophetic philosophy with the deeply personal, including his dreaming life and trials of romantic love. There is scarcely a sentence in this collection that does not directly serve the vision uniting all fourteen essays.
Author Biography
Jim facilitates workshops on community building, cultural transformation, systems thinking and also, with Karina Lutz, 'Work that Reconnects' (deep ecology) retreats. He teaches Philosophy, Community Service and Global Studies at the Community College of Rhode Island, Providence College and Rhode Island's state prison. In the summer of 2015, Jim and a small group of friends founded Listening Tree Cooperative, a community-based permaculture homestead, in Chepachet, Rhode Island (www.listeningtree.coop). For much of his work life, Jim served as the co-director of Amos House, a homeless shelter and soup kitchen on Providence's south side, while organizing dozens of campaigns promoting peace and justice. He is father to Sofia (b. 1991) and Nelson (1994).