In our seemingly apathetic times. When couch potatoes r us. When we are overwhelmed by media images and inundated with sound bytes. And much too busy to care. Discourse is alive and well. through e-mail!

CLICK HERE TO HEAR A SAMPLE
FROM THIS RECORDING
(Coming Soon)

Excerpt from Book:

Introduction

I have been until recently a technophobe of sorts, who held to a sort of Ray Bradbury Farenheit 451-ish view that the computer age might be the beginning of that book's rather apocalyptic vision of the end of intellectual pursuit and all that makes us human. I am pleased to report, however, that I am now a convert to the computer and all the good that can be done with this marvelous and versatile machine.

Like any other sort of technology, the computer can be used for good or ill. I hope, of course, that it will be used far more for good than for ill! I have been pleased to see what a great tool the computer and the Internet is for those who are, like myself, writers, artists and entrepreneurs. In fact, for anyone interested in any pursuit which benefits and elevates mankind, these are potentially great tools.

Recently, I have discovered, as I am sure many of you have noticed, that the computer, and the Internet is keeping discourse alive and well. This is good news indeed in our age of media inundation, overwork, a general feeling of being overwhelmed and its incumbent apathy which so many of us experience.

While it is true that sometimes it can seem that the computer is a part of all which overwhelms us and demands our time, if managed properly (like any other aspect of our busy lives) it can be a great boon for us and our world. It is the assertion of this book that one way it can be a boon for us is in its capacity to be a source of positive discourse.

I have been privileged to be a part of several e-mail discourses, which involved the sending of e-mails expressing opinions about important matters which ended up reaching (and capturing the imagination and passion of) many people, through wonder of e-mail and e-mail address books.

I think this is an exciting and amazing way for we weary twenty-first century folk to keep our wits sharpened, our hearts and minds open, our ears listening, and our souls caring about things that matter.

Discourse is not dead and apathy does not rule. Truly it isn't and doesn't. Take heart!

I hope you enjoy the some of the discourses and commentary I have printed (with permission where needed) in this book. I hope they will stimulate you not only to think about the issues mentioned in them, but encourage you to think about the issues which you care about.

Yes, talk is cheap as they say and it's important to get out in the world and make a difference. Yes, many times we feel we just don't have the time to get out in the world and make a difference. This may make us feel as though we should just not pay attention to our world, its issues and how we feel about them. Yet it is my view (and part of my motivation for writing this book) that we need, as a free people, to realize that just by caring enough to take part in discourse, or even read and think, we stretch our minds and souls, and send positive energy out into the universe.

And this energy, because the world is becoming smaller and smaller due to technology, and because we are more connected spiritually and mystically that we know, sets positive change in motion- for ourselves, our communities, our country and our world.

I hope you will enjoy the discourse, commentary and letters I have printed in this book, and won't hesitate to get involved in a few friendly dialogues of your own. It's a great way to keep your mind, heart, and spirit alive- and keep the spirit of freedom, liberty, and free speech alive in the process!

Remember, we can always agree to disagree, and be glad that each of us cares enough to have opinions.

Happy reading!

The Author

©2002, Michael D. Purvis