The Open Space of Democracy

Oh my. This book actually rates 10 stars in today's world. In this slim book, Terry Tempest Williams is calling for community, discussion, breaking out of boxes and labels and working together to solve our problems in democracy's open space. Throughout the book she defines what that open space should be and what would create it. How disheartening it is to know how far in the other direction we have gone in the 3 years since it has been published."In the open space of democracy, we engage the qualities of inquiry, intuition, and love as we become a dynamic citizenry, unafraid to exercise our shared knowledge and power. We can dissent. We can vote. We can step forward in times of terror with a confounding calm that will shatter fear and complacency."As was illustrated in a recent 60 Minutes piece, Terry Tempest Williams describes what a trip to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge can do to open minds and souls."The power of nature is the power of a life in association. Nothing stands alone. On my haunches, I see a sunburst lichen attached to limestone; algae and fungi are working together to break down rock into soil. I cannot help but recognize a radical form of democracy at play. Each organism is rooted in its own biological niche, drawing its power from its relationship to other organisms. An equality of being contributes to an ecological state of health and succession."It is very unfortunate that this book is out of print. I wish it would be re-issued and distributed widely. The open space of democracy is waiting for us.

I wanted to love this, because I have loved listening to Terry speak and I really enjoyed reading Refuge. But I find this book too self indulgent. She's great at dropping repeatable quotes that are poetry in themselves, but it sometimes felt contrived, the way she arranged her stories and anecdotes to set up the poetic phrase. But the worst part to me was the story of how she and her neighbors became heroes of public engagement simply because they wanted to stop someone from developing more homes in their desert community. That isn't really heroic or revolutionary; it's the quite common story of "I got my house in this beautiful place, but I'm going to stop anyone else from doing the same."How many times has this quintessential American story unfolded? I just don't find it inspiring when someone's purported environmental activism is really rooted in their desire to maintain their property values. I don't doubt Terry's sincere commitment to environmental activism - the rest of her life shows that is genuine - but she was naive to think this example was so laudatory. It's really a well-worn story of neighbors trying to keep out the condos or other high-density development because it will harm their existing property values. It ruined the book for me.

as always good read

This is an elegant book written by Terry Tempest Williams. It is a guide to helping a community solve a problem by collaborating, listening and deliberating.

Wonderful book, wonderful content and a wonderful author. The added art pieces within the text complement the text beautifully.

This is a very important and visionary look at our current state of affairs. Excellent reading for anyone!

This book is inspiring and motivating. I shared it with my 17 year old and we discussed how small actions speak much louder than big words.

I passionately enjoy Terry Tempest's writing. She can put into words certain emotions and gut feelings that may be difficult for others to articulate. She intertwines personal experience with political policy, enduring histories, and conservation activism of the last many decades, creating a narrative of American open lands policy and recent developments and regressions. This book consists of three of her essays published in Orion, all interrelated, all focusing on her concept of "the open space of democracy," how "raw, wild beauty is a deeply held American value ... liberty is expressed through the simple act of wandering" (60) and how "open lands open minds" (76).I love her statements on the importance of (and power in!) community decision-making, the very purpose of democracy. If we all felt so strongly and listened to one another as deeply, America may be a different place (better).A fantastic, quick read, still raw in its recency.--- ---Select quotes:"In the open space of democracy, beauty is not optional, but essential to our survival as a species." (41)"An open democracy inspires wisdom and the dignity of choice. A closed society inspires terror and the tyranny of belief." (10)"To engage in responsive citizenship, we must become citizens who respond. Passionately. This is how we can make a difference. This is how we can serve society." (10)"If we cannot engage in respectful listening there can be no civil dialogue and without civil dialogue we the people will simply become bullies and brutes, deaf to the truth" (23)"Patience is more powerful than anger. Humor is more attractive than fear. Pay attention. Listen. We are most alive when discovering. Humility is the capacity to see. [...] We are meant to live simply. We are meant to be joyful. [...] Beauty is another word for God." (57)"community interaction is the white-hot center of a democracy that burns bright" (59)"It is time to acknowledge the violence rendered to our souls each time a mountaintop is removed to expose a coal vein in Appalachia or when a wetland is drained, dredged, and filled for a strip mall." (86)"It is time to resist the simplistic, utilitarian view that what is good for business is good for humanity in all its complex web of relationships." (87)