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The Power of Just Doing Stuff
Packed with real-life examples and the voices of people who have created innovative local businesses and invested in all manner of new enterprises, this call for local action argues that the seed of a new economy—and the answer to the desperate search for a new way forward in an increasingly economically insecure and ecologically unstable world—is an understanding by individuals that change starts with them. The aim of the Transition movement is to galvanize people into taking action, whether on a large or a small scale, with the goal of creating communities that model a local economy rooted in place, in well-being, in entrepreneurship, and in creativity. While the book is primarily focused on food production and sustainable energy, the practical applications it offers also address how to rebuild a local community in the face of austerity due to a natural disaster or economic collapse. Eschewing political arguments of any kind, this discussion will appeal to readers of all persuasions who are eager to play a role in creating a more stable and healthier world one community at a time.
158 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
11 people are currently reading
323 people want to read
About the author
Rob Hopkins
29 books81 followersRob Hopkins did his permaculture design course in 1992, and around the same time saw Bill Mollison lecture in Stroud, and both of these things dramatically changed his life. He became involved in the Bristol Permaculture Group, and at the same time did a degree in Environmental Quality and Resource Management at UWE Bristol. His dissertation, ‘Permaculture - a new approach for rural planning’ is on his website. He moved with his family to Ireland, where he began teaching permaculture and laying the groundwork for the ecovillage development he wanted to undertake.
He set up Baile Dulra Teoranta, the first company granted charitable status for an eco-village development in Ireland. In September 2005 he moved to Totnes in Devon, to begin a PhD at Plymouth University looking at Energy Descent Action Plans, refining the model in such a way that they can be done anywhere.
He set up Baile Dulra Teoranta, the first company granted charitable status for an eco-village development in Ireland. In September 2005 he moved to Totnes in Devon, to begin a PhD at Plymouth University looking at Energy Descent Action Plans, refining the model in such a way that they can be done anywhere.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 22, 2016
Darüber muss ich jetzt erst einmal nachdenken - es gibt viele Aspekte zu bedenken
June 1, 2014
Rob Hopkins, der Begründer der Transition Town-Bewegung, erklärt nicht nur die Hintergründe seiner Iniatitive, sondern beschreibt Beispiele von Transition Town-Aktivitäten aus aller Welt. Regionalgeld, essbare Städten, Repair-Cafés usw. sind nur einige der Beispiele, mit denen Bürgerinnen und Bürger sich für die eigene Stadt engagieren und die globale Verflechtung ein klein wenig zugunsten einer regionalen Orientierung auflösen wollen. Das Buch wird abgerundet durch einige Beispiele aus Österreich, Deutschland und der Schweiz. Eine gute Einführung zum Thema Transition Town und angesichts der vielen Beispiele auch ein Mutmacher, dass es eben doch geht, dass jede/r selber etwas zur Veränderung beitragen kann.
November 7, 2013
This book talks about an important issue, bringing forward the idea that we, you and I, can start working on a better future right now.
As a book, this one isn't very good (although, I suppose that isn't even the goal): The first and last chapters do a great job inspiring action while the middle chapters are quite badly organized and therefore boring. Unfortunately.
Despite the criticism, this is an important book, and I think you should read it.
As a book, this one isn't very good (although, I suppose that isn't even the goal): The first and last chapters do a great job inspiring action while the middle chapters are quite badly organized and therefore boring. Unfortunately.
Despite the criticism, this is an important book, and I think you should read it.
January 31, 2021
One of the strengths of the climate movement is its ability to articulate the need for change. One of its greatest weaknesses is to say what that change ought to be. It is always a case of 'they' - without specifying who they are - should 'do' something, without actually saying what that might be. The purpose of this book is to address that issue.
The basic premise of the book is that if we wait for large scale collective action, then we will have to wait a very long time as resources meet other, more pressing, priorities and as vested interests fins it easier to resist change on a larger scale. Instead, the author suggests that action on a local scale is likely to be more effective. In this he is right. Instead of one sweeping change cover all situations, he anticipates a multitude of smaller, incremental, changes that build up to a profound change. He suggests that a bottom up approach is likely to achieve more lasting results than a top down approach, and I quite agree with him.
He also suggests that the first step is to just get on with it. I quite agree with that idea, but the question arises of exactly what should we just be getting on with? That is where the bulk of the book lies. Without being prescriptive, the author outlines some ideas and inspirations drawn from activity around the globe. As the world is quite a varied place, it is also true that one single template would not suit all locations. The author advocates a process of trial and error to find out what works for each separate set of people in each individual location. That sounds like a sensible idea.
If it is the case that we have a good idea, with a high chance of succeeding in its aims, why haven't we seen a greater degree of impact? This is a tough question because it suggests that working for transition is very much a minority activity. In many respects this reflects the power of inertia, people won't act until they absolutely have to. Partly it reflects the comfort of the existing arrangements, the changes advocated are likely to lead to a less comfortable lifestyle. And partly it is because even after people have agreed to action, they also have the capacity to fall out over the basis on which action needs to take place. One of the disadvantages of being fragmented is that you are fragmented, i.e. not coherent. These factors hint at the challenges ahead to the transition movement.
The author readily displays his capacity to annoy. He writes with a breezy cheerfulness that is just a little too over-optimistic. The writing is scattered with positive adjectives to describe those things he likes, which makes the writing just a bit too effusive. A little more restraint would have gone a long way. And that hints at a larger problem for the life that he advocates. He writes with the zeal of a convert. The text is just a little too religious - a mixture of piety, condescension, and superiority - for my liking. He comes over as being really smug.
Laying aside these reservations, this is a really interesting book. It marks a move away from exhortation to action, which has to be applauded. The author relies too much on examples from larger urban conurbations at the expense of smaller initiatives, which will be a problem for him down the road. For now, the book provides an interesting milestone on the road to change. We have a long way to go, but this is an important first step.
The basic premise of the book is that if we wait for large scale collective action, then we will have to wait a very long time as resources meet other, more pressing, priorities and as vested interests fins it easier to resist change on a larger scale. Instead, the author suggests that action on a local scale is likely to be more effective. In this he is right. Instead of one sweeping change cover all situations, he anticipates a multitude of smaller, incremental, changes that build up to a profound change. He suggests that a bottom up approach is likely to achieve more lasting results than a top down approach, and I quite agree with him.
He also suggests that the first step is to just get on with it. I quite agree with that idea, but the question arises of exactly what should we just be getting on with? That is where the bulk of the book lies. Without being prescriptive, the author outlines some ideas and inspirations drawn from activity around the globe. As the world is quite a varied place, it is also true that one single template would not suit all locations. The author advocates a process of trial and error to find out what works for each separate set of people in each individual location. That sounds like a sensible idea.
If it is the case that we have a good idea, with a high chance of succeeding in its aims, why haven't we seen a greater degree of impact? This is a tough question because it suggests that working for transition is very much a minority activity. In many respects this reflects the power of inertia, people won't act until they absolutely have to. Partly it reflects the comfort of the existing arrangements, the changes advocated are likely to lead to a less comfortable lifestyle. And partly it is because even after people have agreed to action, they also have the capacity to fall out over the basis on which action needs to take place. One of the disadvantages of being fragmented is that you are fragmented, i.e. not coherent. These factors hint at the challenges ahead to the transition movement.
The author readily displays his capacity to annoy. He writes with a breezy cheerfulness that is just a little too over-optimistic. The writing is scattered with positive adjectives to describe those things he likes, which makes the writing just a bit too effusive. A little more restraint would have gone a long way. And that hints at a larger problem for the life that he advocates. He writes with the zeal of a convert. The text is just a little too religious - a mixture of piety, condescension, and superiority - for my liking. He comes over as being really smug.
Laying aside these reservations, this is a really interesting book. It marks a move away from exhortation to action, which has to be applauded. The author relies too much on examples from larger urban conurbations at the expense of smaller initiatives, which will be a problem for him down the road. For now, the book provides an interesting milestone on the road to change. We have a long way to go, but this is an important first step.
June 27, 2021
Quick book, essentially an introduction to the transition movement - the examples presented are cool and relatively inspiring.
However, everything is fairly mediocre: the introduction presents the context of transition with a bit of oversimplification and cherry picking examples, the narrative doesn't feel very strong across the book.
I'd appreciate to have a more structured and inspiring list of examples with different complexity and themes and contexts.
In the end, it reads like a simple good conversation you might have over coffee - a conversation that many of us should have, but not much beyond a coffee conversation.
However, everything is fairly mediocre: the introduction presents the context of transition with a bit of oversimplification and cherry picking examples, the narrative doesn't feel very strong across the book.
I'd appreciate to have a more structured and inspiring list of examples with different complexity and themes and contexts.
In the end, it reads like a simple good conversation you might have over coffee - a conversation that many of us should have, but not much beyond a coffee conversation.
December 11, 2022
How to get started? Do something! In a nutshell, this is a book about hope and how we can change things from our perspective.
June 15, 2023
I find the title a bit misleading.
March 9, 2024
A little book packed with hopeful real life stories, about people who understand that making changes in their local communities can have a positive effect on the bigger picture.
November 24, 2013
Have you noticed you've got a womanly aptitude for achieving but also facilitating others to do what needs to be done to keep a household and its members working well? I find that when I get on and use this ability with my family we can transition easily from difficulties into things running smoothly, creativity blossoming and all of us being more capable of maintaining love as the underpinning dynamic of our relationships. In short, we are happier.
‘The Power of Just Doing Stuff’ by Bob Hopkins reminded me that Allah I has designed me - with my womanly and my personal aptitudes - to serve beyond my family and in my local community and the interconnected world at large. In order to appreciate
the enormity of today’s global climate problems, we have to understand something about the world economy.
In his opening chapter, ‘Why we need to do something’, Hopkins outlines current climate problems and trends in oil extraction and their subsequent effects at the local level. He demonstrates the inappropriateness
of actions, such as using nuclear power, centralising services like hospitals and schools and using out-of-town shopping centres, as responses to these problems.
Alhamdulillah, Hopkins provides many examples of alternative responses that people are already making in their communities, from organising skill-shares, creating food co-ops and solar energy companies, to printing local currencies as a means of keeping
money circulating locally. Hopkins grants his readers confidence in the potential of small achievements and warmly invites us to become active in the Transition Movement – to be part of joining up the various good initiatives in our community as a movement towards making a new economy that truly addresses our needs.
Reading the rest of 'The Power of Just Doing Stuff', we become acutely aware that our communities have been fragmented by today’s 'normal’ economic activity and we learn about alternative real solutions to climate change which build community resilience. We discover how our local community and the world could become happier. As Muslims, we're duty-bound to undertake the
responsibility of vicegerents of the earth:
“Behold, thy Lord said to the angels: ‘I will create a
vicegerent on earth.’" (Al-Baqarah:30)
How should caring stewards of the earth respond to climate problems? In the Transition Movement, aspiring vicegerents can find the company of others who care to find out and to do what’s best for our local ecology and then work with each other to respond to climate problems, insha Allah.
Facilitators of meetings play a small role in terms of the time they dedicate to the Transition Movement yet they are invaluable for groups to work amicably together, to be able to make decisions and get on with implementing them. As I said, I think women have
a special aptitude for facilitation. Hopkins says, “Transition is one manifestation of the idea that local action can change the world ... There are people near you who can be optimistic and practical too.” Transition Movement responses to climate problems begin with our own, our neighbours’ and our community’s needs. For the love of Allah I, as His vicegerents, don’t you think we Muslim women need to join this movement?
‘The Power of Just Doing Stuff’ by Bob Hopkins and more information about Transition are available from:
http://www.transitionnetwork.org
~~~
Reviewed by Elizabeth Lymer for SISTERS Magazine #50 October 2013.
Elizabeth Lymer is children’s author of 'Islamic Nursery Rhymes'
‘The Power of Just Doing Stuff’ by Bob Hopkins reminded me that Allah I has designed me - with my womanly and my personal aptitudes - to serve beyond my family and in my local community and the interconnected world at large. In order to appreciate
the enormity of today’s global climate problems, we have to understand something about the world economy.
In his opening chapter, ‘Why we need to do something’, Hopkins outlines current climate problems and trends in oil extraction and their subsequent effects at the local level. He demonstrates the inappropriateness
of actions, such as using nuclear power, centralising services like hospitals and schools and using out-of-town shopping centres, as responses to these problems.
Alhamdulillah, Hopkins provides many examples of alternative responses that people are already making in their communities, from organising skill-shares, creating food co-ops and solar energy companies, to printing local currencies as a means of keeping
money circulating locally. Hopkins grants his readers confidence in the potential of small achievements and warmly invites us to become active in the Transition Movement – to be part of joining up the various good initiatives in our community as a movement towards making a new economy that truly addresses our needs.
Reading the rest of 'The Power of Just Doing Stuff', we become acutely aware that our communities have been fragmented by today’s 'normal’ economic activity and we learn about alternative real solutions to climate change which build community resilience. We discover how our local community and the world could become happier. As Muslims, we're duty-bound to undertake the
responsibility of vicegerents of the earth:
“Behold, thy Lord said to the angels: ‘I will create a
vicegerent on earth.’" (Al-Baqarah:30)
How should caring stewards of the earth respond to climate problems? In the Transition Movement, aspiring vicegerents can find the company of others who care to find out and to do what’s best for our local ecology and then work with each other to respond to climate problems, insha Allah.
Facilitators of meetings play a small role in terms of the time they dedicate to the Transition Movement yet they are invaluable for groups to work amicably together, to be able to make decisions and get on with implementing them. As I said, I think women have
a special aptitude for facilitation. Hopkins says, “Transition is one manifestation of the idea that local action can change the world ... There are people near you who can be optimistic and practical too.” Transition Movement responses to climate problems begin with our own, our neighbours’ and our community’s needs. For the love of Allah I, as His vicegerents, don’t you think we Muslim women need to join this movement?
‘The Power of Just Doing Stuff’ by Bob Hopkins and more information about Transition are available from:
http://www.transitionnetwork.org
~~~
Reviewed by Elizabeth Lymer for SISTERS Magazine #50 October 2013.
Elizabeth Lymer is children’s author of 'Islamic Nursery Rhymes'
November 17, 2013
I like the concept ... the subtitle says it all: "How local action can change the world".
I had hoped for some concrete ideas as to how I and my folks could make a difference. There are a few in here. But so much of the book is turned over to success stories of the Transitions movement (of which author Rob Hopkins is the founder), that unless you either want to copy other groups OR have sufficient imagination to use as a springboard for your own circumstances, the book is lacking.
The author's point is that things can be changed by doing them on the local level. I understand his point that individuals acting alone as individuals can make a slight difference, but (my words) ironically, not enough to make a real difference. Still, not everyone has organizational skills; not everyone is blessed with a dynamic leader to inspire them. BUT everyone CAN do SOMETHING!
Perhaps I am being unfair. The book is easy to read and it contains some things that can certainly inspire. I had simply expected more, and did not get it.
RATING: 3 stars
DISCLOSURE: I was given a free copy of this book by Shelf Awareness newsletter; a review was hoped for but neither formally requested nor promised.
I had hoped for some concrete ideas as to how I and my folks could make a difference. There are a few in here. But so much of the book is turned over to success stories of the Transitions movement (of which author Rob Hopkins is the founder), that unless you either want to copy other groups OR have sufficient imagination to use as a springboard for your own circumstances, the book is lacking.
The author's point is that things can be changed by doing them on the local level. I understand his point that individuals acting alone as individuals can make a slight difference, but (my words) ironically, not enough to make a real difference. Still, not everyone has organizational skills; not everyone is blessed with a dynamic leader to inspire them. BUT everyone CAN do SOMETHING!
Perhaps I am being unfair. The book is easy to read and it contains some things that can certainly inspire. I had simply expected more, and did not get it.
RATING: 3 stars
DISCLOSURE: I was given a free copy of this book by Shelf Awareness newsletter; a review was hoped for but neither formally requested nor promised.
February 5, 2017
Some very neat ideas in the book that got me thinking, at times. I noticed a couple major flaws in the suggestions.. including that money needs to stay locally. I'd like to argue (with my limited knowledge) that it's not where the money goes but to whom. Also, with the notion of local farming... that is great for some things but people who live in landlocked countries still need access to coastal fish, countries without the ability to grow certain fruits need those fruits. What I am saying is not that the mindset given is wrong, but that there are limitations that were not acknowledged in the book and this gave me a considerable pause, several times, when reading through it. Otherwise it's a fairly simplistic look at how to approach problems, I did appreciate the point that there were actual references, if there hadn't been a reference section I probably would have stopped reading but instead got a fairly enjoyable experience out of a book that can get you thinking, so long as you tilt your head the right way.
August 23, 2013
i'm very enthusiastic about the transition town culture. this thin paperback started out positively explaining the transition movement clearly & concisely. felt the latter chapters were less inspiring, but it's easy to read, lots of references to follow up, and a helpful addition to the website.
August 19, 2016
Important, motivating book with strong ideas and offers real-world examples and resources. However, slightly disappointing in the fact that, in the end, it seemed like Transition Town propaganda. That was the main focus of the book. Would've been nice to have other examples from non-Transition movements.
January 14, 2016
Excellent overview of what we need to see to as global citizens and of what Transition Network groups are doing. Inspiring, educational and practical, with loads of resources to help get people moving. A must read for anyone serious about creating a better future.
August 26, 2013
A short but encouraging read, with plenty of inspiring ideas from Transition projects throughout the world.
November 5, 2013
Everyone should read this. That's how important it is. And then DO STUFF
July 28, 2014
Probably a richer read if you sit with The Transition Handbook first (I did not). TPOJD is clearly written with lots of inspiring examples of communities reimagining themselves.
August 5, 2013
Very inspiring quick read. Made me want to find my local transition group straight away!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews