If We're Going To Change The World, Living Off The Grid Isn't Enough

When author Mark Sundeen set out to write his latest book, he thought he would be telling a story of Americans living off the grid, eschewing conveniences like electricity and cellphones for “the simple life.” But it wasn’t long before Sundeen began to question his premise. Decamping to the countryside and living off the land, he suspected, was neither as straightforward nor as revolutionary as Americans daydreaming of tiny houses, solar panels and vegetable gardens might think. Rather than looking for people avoiding the institutions they abhorred, he decided to seek people actively working to create new norms. That pivot led Sundeen to the three families at the heart of The Unsettlers: In Search of the Good Life in Today’s America, published this week. The families, living in Victor, Montana; La Plata, Missouri; and Detroit, share visions of an American dream stripped of most luxuries. And instead of just talking about it, they’re actually doing it. The author shows the triumph and struggle in the families’ quests. But above all, their stories display tenacity and perseverance that is, at times, hard to imagine in the face of great challenges and sacrifices.  The Huffington Post recently spoke with Sundeen about his work, and why — in today’s world — its message of grit is perhaps more timely than ever. What inspired you to go about writing this book — to find these people who have turned to living off t...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news