Here is a list of problems that I think need to be looked at as an integrated whole. That's why I've put this as a Forum topic. I've also put each of these in Activist Solutions as a separate problem.

1. Stress – Generally
2. Boredom – Particularly among youth
3. Poverty
4. Energy Consumption and Destruction of Farmland through Development
5. Workforce Dissatisfaction, Overwork and Stress in the Workplace
6. Workplace and Corporate Culture
7. Anger In the Workplace – Both Overt and Covert

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Many intentional communities integrate communication processes into daily life and work. These processes release anger in healing and creative ways. There are a number of trainers and consultants who offer trainings and workshops and some of them have modules that are specifically geared towards intentional communities. An example of this is the Heart of Now, headquartered in Eugene, OR . Their website is at http://www.heartofnow.org/index.html

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Many communities have businesses located within the community. These enterprises might be owned by individual members, a group of members, or the community itself. These enterprises are an integral part of community life. Communities use processes for conflict resolution and personal growth to make them exciting and fulfilling places to work.

Some examples of business enterprises located within intentional Communities are:

Everything Goes Stores - Ganas

Various Businesses owned by individuals and groups at Ecovillage at Ithaca

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: Many intentional communities include giving children a healthy place to play, learn, and grow in their mission statements; they are places where children are honored and not bored. Here are just a few examples.

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The intentional Community has attempted to deal with stress in the following way:

Modern life is a pressure packed affair with too many projects, too many deadlines and too little time for family or oneself. The bottom line, in my view, is that most stress is caused by lack of vision, mission, clarity and boundary-setting.

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Many consulting firms offer anger management and employee assistance programs including psychological counseling, books, CD’s, and workshops. These programs, while possibly effective, are not nearly widespread enough to prevent problems from occurring and are most often employed reactively to respond to an incident that has already occurred instead of proactively to prevent problems from arising. Individual reluctance to step forward and admit a problem along with bureaucracy and red tape can also greatly hinder these programs’ effectiveness.

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Many companies attempt “best practices” and “employee empowerment” programs. Implementing these programs often takes years, especially if the organization has a bureaucratic culture. These efforts also tend to be haphazard, meaning that few organizations effectively implement their ideas. This worsens employee frustration and dissatisfaction.

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"The kids have given us some really good ideas," says Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Kelly Kollar. "They felt adults were telling them what they should do. They were really excited to have somebody ask them what they wanted to do."
(from Howell tackles teen boredom; Summer program offers beach fun, day trips by Karen Bouffard (Special to The Detroit News). Article is available online at http://www.detnews.com/2002/livingston/0205/16/d05l-491008.htm.)

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A Google search on the phrase “stress management” yields over 1.2 million sites hawking everything from pills to diets, exercise, and meditation. This maze of conflicting information and solutions can make relieving stress more stressful than stress itself. In essence, society’s chaotic and disorganized efforts surrounding stress have the effect of worsening the problem.

Nearly 50% of all workers are dissatisfied with their careers and suffer from overwork and stress. A recent study by one major employer places the cost of replacing one customer service representative earning $18,000 annually at nearly $58,000.