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

The State and City of New York are committed to placing 25% of people who go to government programs into some kind of job. The government actually places between 8% and 25% of such people into jobs depending on how you read and interpret the very complicated data. The Problem is that at least 75% of people who apply for help seeking employment for the purpose of getting out of poverty do not get a job or much if any help. This is a complicated set of problems to which programs are focusing on the wrong initial solutions.

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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 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.

82% of employees consider overtly responding in kind to angry co-workers. 9% of these employees actually do so. Covert forms of aggression include failing to transmit needed information, coming late to meetings, wasting resources, or delaying responses to phone calls or memos- all at enormous cost to employers and the economy.

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.

From Wikipedia:

When I was younger I knew how to find a job when I needed one. I had many options for HUMAN CONTACT with people who were looking for workers or knew such people. Now everything is done electronically via the internet and there is no way to have the human contact that I had in years past.

Quite literally, I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FIND A JOB IN TODAY'S MARKETPLACE. And guess what???? I've been unemployed since May 2007.

I hope other people with knowledge will post solutions, because I don't have any!!!!