EVERYTHING I NEEDED TO KNOW ABOUT SAVING THE WORLD I LEARNED BEFORE I WAS TEN!
By Craig Franklin and Gary HutchinsonA manual for human survival- a humorous sojourn through serious subject.
Drawing on the diaries he kept between the ages of six and ten, the author presents his early observations (consistently entertaining!) that supported his contention, at ten, that saving mankind and building an “Eden” on Earth was really a rather simple, straightforward and logical undertaking which should - he believed - take him only a matter of weeks to achieve. This little book approaches, with humor, the very serious topic of building a world-wide, humanity-friendly society, and describes the obstacles the author ran into during his sixty-plus year “mission” to implement his early findings. Although he contends it all boils down to following one simple guideline, he provides two-dozen “Agreements” (“for those who feel the need for more”), which if followed, he believes can provide a safe, happy, productive human race, overflowing with love, compassion, helpfulness, and indomitable self-esteem.
Review by
Leslie Goodpasture
Professor of Social Philosophy and adoptive parent of four
Although a fifteen word title certainly is not the longest on record, it does grab your attention – as will its delightful and important content. Drawing on passages from the early diaries of Craigy Franklin – an orphaned, perceptive, young genius, sincerely out to save the World – the author (Craigy, grown up) illustrates 24 positive Social Agreements he believes we must each accept and regularly model if mankind is to survive and improve as a species.
Young Craigy’s combined brilliance and naiveté allowed him to cut to the chase. He saw saving the World as a simple task (“…two weeks at the most”). Initially, and in the end, Craigy boils it down to two simple rules based on positive values – “Do right and be nice!” Along the way he asks important questions, which allow the thoughtful reader to reassess, regroup and grow (perhaps, even, save the World!).
His vocabulary was well beyond his years and since it was new to him, it was fresh and precise and devoid of superfluous meaning. Craigy delighted in words. He delighted in his family, in people in general, and in life itself. In turn, the reader will delight the lad’s humor – that which he intended to write and that which just evolves as the passages are viewed through the adult perspective. Early on, Craigy found that people fell easily into two main groups – those with SFL’s (stuff focused lives) and the HFL’s (humanity focused lives). He discovered and confronted that most pernicious of all social monsters – the Yesbutt (“folks who are probably terrified of giving up the status quo [and are]…primarily between the ages 30 and 60.”).
Much of the book’s power emanates from the never stated, though clear contrast of its simple, natural, people-centered setting (the 1940’s in the rural, Midwestern, United States) with the artificially complex life styles of today.
This thoroughly delightful little book is must reading for every human being who is sincerely interested in seeing that his species survives and grows in comfort through many generations to come.
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A CRISIS OF MYTHS
By G.F. HutchinsonLiving five years poor among the common man
A presentation and discussion of the beliefs and misbeliefs held by the common man as discovered and studied by the author while living as one of them and working beside them at minimal pay jobs. A frightening lack of practical knowledge and accurate information about science and the social psychological processes has been replaced by dangerous myths, which guide their lives and way of thinking. These myths and their possible consequences are presented and discussed. Suggestions for social changes are proposed. 125 pages ISBN: 1-885631-16-2 1996
Review by
Dr. Mark Westfallen
Sociologist
and
Dr. Ruth Westfallen
Science writerSeldom is a socio-cultural volume written as beautifully as this. Although the author's grasp of psychology and sociology at the practical, grass roots level is obvious, his experience as a master writer transforms the cold, hard findings of his study into a compelling, novel-like monologue.
His thesis is that the subculture of the habitually under-educated (which he calls the Common Man) is destroying and debilitating itself through the blind acceptance of unsupported myths about life and reality and by the outright, proud rejection of scientific, fact-based information (and those professionals who practice it).
For five fascinating years Dr. Hutchison lived as a part of this subculture, earned only what they earned and struggled with the same hand to mouth, check to check existence that is commonplace there. His findings and conclusions are startling and frightening. His suggestions are enlightened and hope-filled if our society has the will to implement them.
For those who are concerned about the future of our society, and for anyone seeking to understand the often puzzling and even terrifying behavior of the children who grow up as a part of that culture, this book is must reading.
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