How I became Somewhat Civilized: ...and how Civilization can become Somewhat More So

By Evan Bedford

"Civilized". What does it mean at the personal level? What does it mean at the societal level? And at the global level? At the personal level, we all have a pretty good idea of what it means (and Bedford relates his own journey, starting as a pre-schooler with sticky fingers and a growing nose). But when it comes to the pre-requisites for a civilized society, the consensus falls apart. A libertarian sees quite a different road map from that which a socialist sees. And Bedford sees something different again (based on five years of graduate studies, looking at societal sustainability). He sees concepts such as Deliberative Democracy and Civic Journalism as being able to help civilization to emulate its own definition in the dictionary. And then there are the fringe elements, such as Morphic Resonance and Psychedelics. How do these bohemian outcasts fit into a world still trying to figure out if it wants to be sacred or secular? But far from a mere regurgitation of ideas, Bedford relates his personal journey to an evolving realization. It was a journey which took him to the remote highlands of Guatemala, the slums of India, and finally on a quixotic cycling quest to Ottawa, bearing a very valuable...uh...gift (shall we say?) for Prime Minister Jean Chretien.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1495423530
• ISBN13: 9781495423536
• Release Date: February 2014
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Length: 302 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.7" x 6.0"