The forgotten thinker you need to know
Thirty years ago, Ivan Illich raised questions on the promise of progress. The blind faith in modern development and technology was a threat to human's freedom, he argued. That critical analysis was one of the pillars for the Ode founders. In 2001, a year before Illich died at the age of 76, Read More...
Love thy neighbour, for he is me
Who wants to care for people if care has become institutionalized? While modern society leaves little room for random kindness, there's good news: Everyone can learn the basics of altruism. Ode goes back to the Samaritan, because receiving is inherent in giving. Tijn Touber| June 2007 issue Two Read More...
Remembering the battle of Seattle
Even before the emergence of a movement against the unchecked power of global corporations, Ode was already regularly reporting about the shadow side of globalization. So our editorial staff was not at all surprised in 1999 when so many people gathered for a mass demonstration during the summit Read More...
Three cheers for crazy ideas
This world really does need more of these wonderful heretics Anita Roddick| June 2007 issue Every real change, every revolutionary idea, every heartfelt gesture, whether it transforms one life or a thousand, was once seen as eccentric. Leaders are few and followers many for a reason: Change Read More...
The instinct to save the planet
Do the million grassroots green and social organizations work as an immune system that's working to stop injustice and pollution? Paul Hawken on the biggest movement in the history of humankind that has come just on time. Paul Hawken| May 2007 issue Over the past 15 years, I have given nearly one Read More...
Bright hopes, big city
Solutions for the problems of growing megacities can be found in their slums and shantytowns. Jay Walljasper | May 2007 issue Blame it on rappers, the old movie Blade Runner or the Bible. No matter the culprit, scenes of urban depravity - from "gangsta" ghettos to Gomorrah - are repeated so often Read More...
The world grows Wiser
A new global databank aims to connect good work everywhere. Marco Visscher| May 2007 issue Imagine you're on holiday in a city in Thailand and you discover the area's natural environment is suffering from the effects of tourism. Back home, you decide to support that local Thai environmental Read More...
Native intelligence
Anthropologist Jeremy Narby is bringing together indigenous knowledge and Western science to inform the search for a sustainable future. Kim Ridley | May 2007 issue If you think a slime mould is just a stupid glob of protoplasm, think again. Japanese researchers have discovered that this Read More...
No one knows anything
Jed McKenna | May 2007 issue Cogito ergo sum: I think, therefore I am. --René Descartes That is all ye know on Earth; And all ye need to know. --John Keats Whaddaya know? Seriously. With absolute certainty, what do you know? Put aside all opinions, beliefs and theories for a moment and address Read More...
Sisterhood is powerful
A nunnery in northern India offers a full slate of classes, leading for the first time to the highest academic degree for Buddhist scholars. Diana Reynolds Roome | May 2007 issue In the spacious courtyard, the voices of nuns are raised in rapid-fire argument in their native Tibetan language, a Read More...