Your understanding of these, what I believe to be, intricately complex topics inspires me. I always look forward to reading your work. You’ve opened my eyes to many of my own shortcomings and biases.
For instance, and to digress a bit, much of the information you write about feels almost…inaccessible for many Americans. They either don’t know about it, or they wouldn’t know where to look for it, and it’s certainly not within their daily topics of conversation.
I see the lack of it in my tiny, rural community in Maine. I see the lack of it in the children’s curriculum in the local schools. It’s neither discussed at pot lucks nor at town board meetings. There’s no books about it at our library. Their phones or computers or TVs could be an option but, I have to say, I’m doubtful this is the sort of information they’re actively searching for.
There’s a movie I recently watched called ‘Vengeance’ and I think one of the characters summed up small-town America beautifully. He said, “The problem is not that they aren’t smart. It’s that they are. You have all these bright, creative lights, with nowhere to plug in their energy, so it gets channelled into conspiracy theories, drugs, and violence.”
There’s so much I realize I don’t truly understand. It’s easy for me to judge others and think, “ignorant.” Yet, I don’t know the labyrinthine parts of their hearts. It encourages me to be gentler with the people I live amongst. It encourages me to foster community and trust, despite our ethical and moral differences, not to isolate myself. Maybe the gap can be bridged. There’s a lot humans need to learn, myself first.
Wayne, you’re spearheading a new era of kindness, compassion, curiosity, and courage. Your work is more impactful than you may know. I hope to be there along the way with you all! As someone who lives in a rural area, are there ways you recommend I could get involved, whether virtually or in-person?
Thanks so much for these thoughts, Anna! And you're right that we have a problem with information. But that is part of what this newsletter is trying to correct.
There are not many spaces for slower, deeper discussion, and information sharing. That's a huge flaw in our culture as humans really can't change, or be their best selves, if everything is operating based on a gut reaction.
Thank for contributing to the space! And consider joining our Slack, too. We're trying to have more continuing conversations among supporters in that space. Chloe can assist with that if you're interested.
After reading Donaldson and Kymlicka's work arguing for denizenship for our urban-dwelling animals, I'm convinced this political approach is the right one.
It was fantastic listening to Evan talk, answer your questions and being right there while you interviewed him. I found him brilliant , very funny and a special human being . Listening to this amazing powerhouse was so inspiring . Thank you Wayne !
Hi Wayne,
Your understanding of these, what I believe to be, intricately complex topics inspires me. I always look forward to reading your work. You’ve opened my eyes to many of my own shortcomings and biases.
For instance, and to digress a bit, much of the information you write about feels almost…inaccessible for many Americans. They either don’t know about it, or they wouldn’t know where to look for it, and it’s certainly not within their daily topics of conversation.
I see the lack of it in my tiny, rural community in Maine. I see the lack of it in the children’s curriculum in the local schools. It’s neither discussed at pot lucks nor at town board meetings. There’s no books about it at our library. Their phones or computers or TVs could be an option but, I have to say, I’m doubtful this is the sort of information they’re actively searching for.
There’s a movie I recently watched called ‘Vengeance’ and I think one of the characters summed up small-town America beautifully. He said, “The problem is not that they aren’t smart. It’s that they are. You have all these bright, creative lights, with nowhere to plug in their energy, so it gets channelled into conspiracy theories, drugs, and violence.”
There’s so much I realize I don’t truly understand. It’s easy for me to judge others and think, “ignorant.” Yet, I don’t know the labyrinthine parts of their hearts. It encourages me to be gentler with the people I live amongst. It encourages me to foster community and trust, despite our ethical and moral differences, not to isolate myself. Maybe the gap can be bridged. There’s a lot humans need to learn, myself first.
Wayne, you’re spearheading a new era of kindness, compassion, curiosity, and courage. Your work is more impactful than you may know. I hope to be there along the way with you all! As someone who lives in a rural area, are there ways you recommend I could get involved, whether virtually or in-person?
x Anna
Hi Anna! Fill out the form at simpleheart.org/actionlog to join the network of Open Rescue Advocates.
Thanks so much for these thoughts, Anna! And you're right that we have a problem with information. But that is part of what this newsletter is trying to correct.
There are not many spaces for slower, deeper discussion, and information sharing. That's a huge flaw in our culture as humans really can't change, or be their best selves, if everything is operating based on a gut reaction.
Thank for contributing to the space! And consider joining our Slack, too. We're trying to have more continuing conversations among supporters in that space. Chloe can assist with that if you're interested.
Wow. So moving and inspirational. Every activist should read this. Thank you!
After reading Donaldson and Kymlicka's work arguing for denizenship for our urban-dwelling animals, I'm convinced this political approach is the right one.
Zoopolis is an awesome book, right?
Yeah! It was an amazing read. I'm proud to say they are fellow Canuks!
It was fantastic listening to Evan talk, answer your questions and being right there while you interviewed him. I found him brilliant , very funny and a special human being . Listening to this amazing powerhouse was so inspiring . Thank you Wayne !
Fascinating.
Thanks Sam! Getting to your email later today - and looking forward to chatting afterwards (which we should still do)!
Absolutely! Thank you so much!
🫶