Backstage: Rebecca Solnit and Peter Coyote in Conversation

September 24, 2009

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Why is it that in the aftermath of a disaster—whether natural or manmade—so many people suddenly become altruistic, resilient, resourceful, and brave, stirred and motivated by a newfound sense of community and purpose? In conversation with Peter Coyote, Rebecca Solnit shows how disaster throws people into a temporary utopia of changed states of mind, and how the social connectedness that subsequently arises can help lead us to a new vision of what society could becomeone that is more collaborative, cooperative, and local.