Oct. /Nov. 1983 RAIN Page 43 Collette (RAIN editor, 1979-82) joins Dave in praising Timeless Way, and Tanya Kucak (RAIN staff, 1981) calls A Pattern Language her “most inspirational book and a powerful vision." Spiritually oriented books from a wide range of spiritual traditions appear on Rainmaker lists. Becky Banyas- Koach (RAIN staff, 1980) likes Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Shunryu Suzuki. John Steinke (Rain Umbrella Board, 1981-82) names Creativity and Taoism by Chang Chung- Yuan and calls Tao, Watercourse Way by Alan Watts “probably the most concise definition of what RAIN is about in the spiritual realm, because of its perspective on human beings as part of their environment." The Bible is listed by two Rainmakers and Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis is a favorite of three. Of the latter, Ann Borquist (Resource Center staff, 1982-) says, “It was a major influence in my recognizing Christianity as a life- giving, life-shaping faith, contrary to what I saw in many churches." Beyond those general trends, the lists show that Rainmakers are likely to be interested in almost anything: science fiction, Chinese history, nutrition, feminism, astronomy, economics, psychology, and more. Among the few additional titles that appear on more than one list: RAINBOOK (of course). Helping Ourselves by Bruce Stokes, Pood First by Frances Moore Lappe and Joseph Collins, The Worldly Philosophers by Robert Heilbroner, Energy for Survival by Wilson Clark, The Twenty-Ninth Day hy Lester R. Brown, Our Bodies, Ourselves by the Boston Women's Health Book Collective, and Nature, Man, and Woman by Alan Watts. But Rainmakers respond to good ideas and good information wherever they find them, and a number of our respondents believe that influences other than , books have had a more direct impact on their thoughts and actions over the past decade. Carlotta Collette, a voracious reader, admits there are several a.t. movement classics she has never read: their ideas simply filtered into her consciousness during years of involvement with other activists in community self-reliance projects. Phil Henshaw (RAIN contributor since 1977) recalls how he was influenced in recent years “by a raft of publications, essays, conversations, radio stations, the dreams of a handful of teachers and intimate friends, and a lot of raw data on trends and structures of change. There was a long list of books, too, but most were after the fact, confirmations rather than new directions." Ann Borquist also points to the influence of people, “some famous, some just special in a smaller circle of friends," and says further, “My consciousness of social justice, simple living, community building, self-help, and so forth is not something I've studied so much as felt and understood by experience; I'm more in touch with the spirit of the movement than the text." The scenarios of some futurists suggest a diminishing role for books in the coming decades; television and ever-expanding computer applications are seen as fulfilling a greater share of people's information needs. Perhaps so, but the Rainmakers would seem to be heading toward a more balanced and humane information future. This does not mean a rejection of the electronic revolution—some Rainmakers, in fact, have focused their attention on creating socially beneficial applications for computer and cable television technologies. But RAIN people also recognize that the best new information and the most mind-boggling new ideas will always derive in large part from some enduring traditions: exposure to good books, conversation with wise friends, and faith in one's own intuition. □ □ Some Unique Names That Have Appeared in RAIN Apocalyption Reconstruction Frog in the Well Collective Company Juicy Press Avocado Exchang.e Medium/Rare Video California Green Lacewings, Inc. North Paranoid Climbing School Cosmic Auto Repair Shop Pomegranate Design Dildo Press Pot Walloper Encore (recycling group) Reality Library Fallen Arches (anti-McDonald's Squash Blossom Project group) Talking Leaf Association Fed-Up Cooperative Wholesaler Periodicals That Have Bit the Dust Applewood Journal A.T. Times Edcentric The Elements Futures Conditional Natural Life New Roots Observations from the Treadmill Science in the Neighborhood Self-Reliance Seriatim Seven Days Solar Washington Teacher Works The Wastebin
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