Wendy: I feel that today life in urban areas has been largely
programmed and regulated. Imagine that at the end of the day you
leave a regimented job, travel through gridlock traffic and arrive at
a community meeting. A gentle person greets you and takes your
coat, offering muffins, a hot drink and a comfortable chair. Then a
facilitator at your small group table asks how you are and helps you
settle in. How much easier is it to bring your community wisdom to
the table than if you are marching through the lobby of a hotel to sit
in a room of rows where people are already making speeches while
gesturing at incomprehensible plans on the stage? This is an entirely
different picture. A different model.