THE HAPPINESS INSTITUTE

1720 MARKET ST

SAN FRAN, CA

MARCH 15, 7:00 PM

TICKETS:  $10-$20 SLIDING SCALE

EVOLVERSF@GMAIL.COM

EVOLVER COLUMBIA MO

MEMORIAL UNION – CHAMBER AUDITORIUM – MU

518 HITT STREET

COLUMBIA, MO

MARCH 16TH, 7:00 PM

TICKETS – $6.00 – CASH ONLY

http://www.transitionsfilmfestival.com

The world in which we live today is comprised of more ideologies seemingly in competition with one another than at any other point in our known history. Be it in the form of a new philosophical perspective, a revolutionary scientific discovery or a new interpretation of ancient holy words, each seemingly holds the power to lay rest to an idea of old and give birth to a new paradigm.  Whether this new paradigm becomes a reality or not, this competition plays a crucial role in the process of determining what will become the foundations on which the choices of the future are made.  One of the central themes throughout 2012: Time for Change is the urgency for a participatory global effort if we are to create a future suitable for our continued existence.  For this to happen, the notion of cooperation must enter this discussion, once dominated by the competitive drive.

Stemming from a long history of competition between peoples and ideals alike, we are beginning to witness the potential and necessity of acting first and foremost from a position of cooperation.  One dilemma is that which lies in the grey area between the modern realms of scientific thought and the ancient spiritual traditions that continue to exist to this day.  Having existed in seemingly opposite realms of life, science and spirituality have only recently seemed to begin crossing paths more frequently.  Much of this can be attributed to the pressing need for a greater understanding of our natural world and more specifically our connection and role within it.  With a greater consideration for the environment in the realm of science we have begin to see the limitations of our traditional model of scientific inquiry, ultimately demanding a more integrated approach.  Modern philosopher and author, Ken Wilber’s Integral Theory is an excellent example of this need being recognized and ideally acted on.

Comprised of what is known as the AQAL method, referring to All Quadrants All Levels, Integral Theory is designed with the primary purpose of developing the most comprehensive all-systems understanding of any given scenario.  The upper-left represents the “I”, or interior individual, the lower-left holds the “WE”, or interior collective, and the right two quadrants hold the “IT” on top and “ITS” on bottom representing the exterior individual and collective respectively.  Simply put, each of these quadrants serves to address all major facets of any issue or scenario and can then hopefully facilitate in creating a balanced perspective.  Applying this method to the realm of ecology, Wilber’s theory has the incredible potential to allow for taking into account a wide array of perspectives.  Within each quadrant one can find consideration for both the systems based knowledge of scientific data as well as what typically may be dismissed as subjective experience such as cultural traditions or nonwestern spiritual considerations.  As we look towards our future, it is crucial that we do so with the most dynamic perspectives possible.  To not would be to blind ourselves and ultimately severely limit our potential for continued existence.

The film 2012: Time for Change carries the conversation regarding our natural world and our relationship with it in a very elegant fashion.  Straying from the typical claims of grandeur, 2012:TFC allows for the dialogue to exist within the realm of what is being done and can be improved upon if we hope to encourage the ecological success of our planet.  Waking up to the notion that much of our current practices stand to be revised is a simple reality.  As biologist and ecological designer, John Todd Ph.D., voiced in the film, “There needs to become a generation of people who see cities as a scaffolding for living systems.”  With the efforts made within permaculture around the globe, the individual and collective alike are beginning to recognize the need for a cooperative energy to exist.

Looking to the natural world that as existed for billions of years longer than our adolescent species we have available to us nothing short of a living textbook.  Nature has and will continue to exist in far greater complexity than we now know.  To deny the resource the natural world provides us is simply ignorant and immature.  Going back to the film once more, politician and writer, Joel Kovel, provides us with a slice of optimism when he acknowledges the potential of this ecological crisis to be a unifying force for humanity.  It is for us to come together and recognize the power we have as a collective force for positive change.

Let us be the creators of an enlightened ecology of the future.

EVOLVER CHICAGO
Thursday January 19th, 2012
Meet & Greet: @7:00 pm
Film Screening: @8:00 pm
ADDRESS: Benton House
3052 S. Gratten Ave
Chicago, IL 60608
Contact: evolver.chicago@gmail.com

Jan 12 (Thursday) in Santa Cruz : http://www.hopedance.org/events/icalrepeat.detail/2012/01/12/5547
Facebook event : http://www.facebook.com/events/287596887958541/

Jan 18 (Wednesday) in San Luis Obipso : http://www.hopedance.org/events/icalrepeat.detail/2012/01/18/5546
Facebook event : http://www.facebook.com/events/285903528128793/

This year’s extravaganza will feature genre-blending music and multimedia, including:

~ trip-hop performance by DJ SPOOKY aka That Subliminal Kid
(http://www.djspooky.com/)

~ Connecticut’s premier funk-fusion-jazz band, KUNG FU
(http://www.kungfumusic.com/)

~ and a very special performance soon to be announced…

The event will also pay tribute to “2012” visionaries Terence McKenna & José Argüelles. In memory of Terence McKenna whom died of the deadly brain tumor Glioblastoma , and on behalf of Countdown to 2012 & 13:28 Productions, a portion of the post-production proceeds will benefit National Brain Tumor Society. In memory of Jose, free 13 Moon / 28 Day calendars will be made available courtesy of the Foundation for the Law of Time. (http://www.lawoftime.org/)

Don’t miss this multimedia extravaganza also to include:

~ Visual Projections provided by SCOTT DRAVES and ELECTRIC SHEEP
(http://scottdraves.com/)

~ Intergalactic Intermezzo Music provided by SYNCHRO
(spinning House & Beyond)

~ Movie Shorts provided by 2012: Time for Change / Post Modern Times (http://www.2012timeforchange.com/)

~ Invocation & Activation Ceremony provided by James Riverstone
(http://www.jamesriverstone.com/)

~ Featured Visionary Artist Gizem Bicaz (http://gizembacaz.tumblr.com/)

+ + +

All Tickets GA. Limited Pre-Sale: $50.00 (includes sales tax)
Portion of Proceeds to Benefit National Brain Tumor Society

Buy Tickets: http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=4103635

Friday, 12/16/11 (Red Rhythmic Earth)
Doors: 8:00 pm | Show: 9:00 pm – 4:00 am

Stay tuned for more exciting announcements! For more information, visitwww.countdownto2012.com.

HOW DID WE GET HERE?

How did city council members, anti-capitalists, small business owners, foreclosed homeowners, indebted college students, union leaders, retired teachers, veterans, nurses, 401(k) pension holders, medical patients, pro-lifers, pro-choice advocates, twentysomethings and fiftysomethings of every race, color, and creed come together under a single banner: “We Are The 99%”?

Here’s a list of films that help explain the birth of a movement:

TOP 10 FILMS

1. Inside Job (2010) dir. Charles Ferguson, written by Charles Ferguson, Chad Beck, 108 min.: This Oscar-winning documentary from Sony Classics piles on the chronic aches and pains of Wall Street, from Lehman Brothers to AIG, mapping out the systemic corruption that causes the financial crisis to keep bleeding.

2. Capitalism: A Love Story (2009) dir. Michael Moore, written by Michael Moore, 127 min.: With the U.S. subprime mortgage fiasco well under way and the casino mentality in full throttle, Moore goes door to door looking for a sound explanation of why we trust in a system that is leaving more and more people behind.

3. Zeitgeist: Moving Forward (2011) dir. Peter Joseph, 161 min.: This non-commercial follow-up to “Zeitgeist” Parts I and II, “Moving Forward” is perhaps the most widely viewed non-profit film in history with over 10+ million views on Youtube and an international following. Tossing out all of the ‘isms’ including capitalism, socialism and communism, the film proposes something new.

4. Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005) dir. Alex Gibney, written by Bethany McLean, Peter Eikind, Alex Gibney, 109 min.: Obsession, compulsion, and addiction, coupled with shell companies and a high stakes game of endless profits, created the deception and fraud that ultimately drove Enron into the ground.

5. Food, Inc. (2008) dir. Robert Kenner, written by Robert Kenner, Kim Roberts, Elise Pearlstein: The “spinning of a pastoral fantasy” gets unspun in this must-watch look at the food on our dinner table and the wage slaves who bastardize it for the big companies that monetize Mother Nature.

6. 2012: Time for Change (2010) dir. Joao G. Amorim, 85 min.: Even if you’re not into shamanism or psychedelic drugs, “Time for Change” offers more than just Iboga roots to chew on.

7. The Corporation (2003) dir. Mark Achbar, Jennifer Abbott, 145 min.: A history of the institution that dominates our lives, The Corporation examines how organizations become psychopathic.

8. A Crude Awakening: The Oil Crash (2006) dir. Basil Gelpke, Ray McCormack, 94 min.: Peak oil may be the one elephant in the room we’re hoping the techocrats and wizards can chase away, but as this doc explains, no magic wand is that big.

9. Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price (2005) dir. Robert Greenwald, 98 min.: Wal-Mart is the poster child for an American corporation gone bad in this in-depth analysis of how the retail giant keeps prices low and profits high.

10. Casino Jack (2010) dir. Alex Gibney, written by Alex Gibney, 118 min.: Wherever money and politics meet, lobbyist Jack Abramoff leaps in through the back door, highlighting just how much the fabric of the U.S. government resembles swiss cheese.

Link to the full article: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/08/idUS283171780220111008

A Movie Guide to Occupy Wall Street

HOW DID WE GET HERE?

How did city council members, anti-capitalists, small business owners, foreclosed homeowners, indebted college students, union leaders, retired teachers, veterans, nurses, 401(k) pension holders, medical patients, pro-lifers, pro-choice advocates, twentysomethings and fiftysomethings of every race, color, and creed come together under a single banner: “We Are The 99%”?

Here’s a list of films that help explain the birth of a movement:

TOP 10 FILMS

1. Inside Job (2010) dir. Charles Ferguson, written by Charles Ferguson, Chad Beck, 108 min.: This Oscar-winning documentary from Sony Classics piles on the chronic aches and pains of Wall Street, from Lehman Brothers to AIG, mapping out the systemic corruption that causes the financial crisis to keep bleeding.

2. Capitalism: A Love Story (2009) dir. Michael Moore, written by Michael Moore, 127 min.: With the U.S. subprime mortgage fiasco well under way and the casino mentality in full throttle, Moore goes door to door looking for a sound explanation of why we trust in a system that is leaving more and more people behind.

3. Zeitgeist: Moving Forward (2011) dir. Peter Joseph, 161 min.: This non-commercial follow-up to “Zeitgeist” Parts I and II,  ”Moving Forward” is perhaps the most widely viewed non-profit film in history with over 10+ million views on Youtube and an international following. Tossing out all of the ‘isms’ including capitalism, socialism and communism, the film proposes something new.

4. Enron:  The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005) dir. Alex Gibney, written by Bethany McLean, Peter Eikind, Alex Gibney, 109 min.: Obsession, compulsion, and addiction, coupled with shell companies and a high stakes game of endless profits, created the deception and fraud that ultimately drove Enron into the ground.

5. Food, Inc. (2008) dir. Robert Kenner, written by Robert Kenner, Kim Roberts, Elise Pearlstein: The “spinning of a pastoral fantasy” gets unspun in this must-watch look at the food on our dinner table and the wage slaves who bastardize it for the big companies that monetize Mother Nature.

6. 2012: Time for Change (2010) dir. Joao G. Amorim, 85 min.: Even if you’re not into shamanism or psychedelic drugs, “Time for Change” offers more than just Iboga roots to chew on.

7. The Corporation (2003) dir. Mark Achbar, Jennifer Abbott, 145 min.: A history of the institution that dominates our lives, The Corporation examines how organizations become psychopathic.

8. A Crude Awakening: The Oil Crash (2006) dir. Basil Gelpke, Ray McCormack, 94 min.: Peak oil may be the one elephant in the room we’re hoping the techocrats and wizards can chase away, but as this doc explains, no magic wand is that big.

9. Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price (2005) dir. Robert Greenwald, 98 min.: Wal-Mart is the poster child for an American corporation gone bad in this in-depth analysis of how the retail giant keeps prices low and profits high.

10. Casino Jack (2010) dir. Alex Gibney, written by Alex Gibney, 118 min.: Wherever money and politics meet, lobbyist Jack Abramoff leaps in through the back door, highlighting just how much the fabric of the U.S. government resembles swiss cheese.

Link to the full article:  http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/08/idUS283171780220111008