Bøger af D. Paul Schafer

In this remarkable book, noted cultural scholar D. Paul Schafer examines the great cultural awakening that is taking place all across the world---an awakening that is opening the doors to a cultural age. Schafer begins by considering the importance of culture, as well as discussing how culture has been defined by a variety of thinkers. He then turns to an examination of the vast constellation of cultures that exist in the world before moving progressively "up the ladder," from the cultures of individuals, children, parents, homes, families, communities, and schools to those of towns, cities, regions, countries, the entire human world, and finally the cultures of other species. This is followed by an assessment of several foundational requirements for the creation of a cultural age, such as the cultural interpretation of history and the centrality of cultural development and policy. The author concludes by discussing various ways of opening the doors to a cultural age, strategies to harmonize crucial relationships and cultivate spirituality and compassion, the prerequisites for living in a cultural age, and, finally, an exploration of why it is so essential to make the transition from the present economic age to a future cultural age.The Great Cultural Awakening represents the culmination of a lifetime of research, analysis, and advocacy in the cultural field. In the words of the reviewers, it is truly a "masterpiece" as well as a "beacon of light," urging us on toward a better future.ADVANCE PRAISE FROM AROUND THE WORLD FOR THE GREAT CULTURAL AWAKENING¿¿Amazing! Schafer chronicles the evolution of the cultural realm and describes the interwoven dimensions of nature, human beings, other species, cultures, time, and space. Reading this book is like seeing ourselves as part of nature rather than apart from nature, as well as imagining a world where harmony, sustainability, and well-being for all people, countries, and species are the ultimate goal. ---Mira Sartika, Founder and Director, Chakra Cultural Foundation, IndonesiaSchafer guides us with erudition, authority, and conviction toward a clear and positive vision of a cultural age. His inexhaustible range of references, depth of insight and analysis, and trust in what he terms "the great cultural awakening" make this book essential reading for everyone interested in a serious, far-ranging, and scrupulously-argued discussion of the vital need for the citizens of the world to come together to build a just, harmonious, and productive future: a new cultural age. ---Max Wyman, author of The Compassionate Imagination: How the Arts Are Central to a Functioning Democracy, CanadaCulture is much more than a dimension of sustainable development; it is the overarching key to a sustainable world. ---Engelbert Ruoss, USI Università della Svizzera Italiana, and Co-Owner at Innoreg SAGL, SwitzerlandA much needed, comprehensive, and insightful map to find our way out of the global crisis and make the transition to a cultural age. Paul Schafer, an acknowledged expert in the field, offers an enlightening perspective on how to develop culture and cultures from the ground up, drawing on a wealth of inspiring references and compelling examples. ---Thomas Legrand, author of Politics of Being: Wisdom and Science for a New Development Paradigm, France

Celebrate Canada's sesquicentennial by celebrating Canadian creativity! In this exciting new book, noted author and cultural scholar D. Paul Schafer tackles the subject of Canadian creativity in every field of human endeavour, from the arts and entertainment through transportation, communications and industry to science, technology, sports, and conservation of the natural environment. As Schafer notes, creativity has been the foundation both of Canada's high standard of living and its much admired quality of life. In the years ahead, Canadian creativity can serve as a model and inspiration for other nations, and as the principal means of ensuring Canada's future shines as brightly as its past. Accomplishments profiled in Celebrating Canadian Creativity include: - The remarkable achievements of Canada's Indigenous peoples in transportation (the canoe), shelter (the igloo, teepee, and longhouse), foodstuffs (maple syrup and pemmican) and many other fields - How Canada helped feed the world through the development of Marquis wheat - Little-known Canadian pioneers in the development of the electric light bulb, radio, and the electronic music synthesizer - Alexander Graham Bell's little-known achievements in early aeronautics and the development of the hydrofoil boat - Canada's role in shaping the modern sporting world through the invention of basketball and contributions to curling and to the country's national sport of hockey - Strategic breakthroughs in medicine and health care by William Osler, Emily Stowe, Tommy Douglas, Frederick Banting, Charles Best, James Till, Ernest McCulloch, and many others - Canada's remarkable role in the early development of Hollywood and Broadway as well as recent contributions to pop music through such talents as Céline Dion, Michael Bublé, Drake, and many other singers and songwriters - Canadian writers who have achieved global recognition, from Thomas Chandler Haliburton, Stephen Leacock, Lucy Maud Montgomery, Gabrielle Roy, Robert Service, and Morley Callaghan to Margaret Atwood, Carol Shields, Lawrence Hill, and Nobel prize-winner Alice Munro "A celebration of Canadian creativity over many centuries!" -Walter Pitman, former MP, MPP and president of Ryerson University "Far from being unimaginative and unexciting, Canadians are among the world's most creative people. This book explains why." -James Gillies, professor emeritus, York University "A perfect point of departure for the rebranding of Canada as a proud, dynamic, innovative, and forward-looking nation." -John Hobday, former director, Canada Council for the Arts "Anyone proudly Canadian will find this book fascinating, but teachers will find it particularly helpful in fostering their students' creativity. It will not be necessary to coax pupils to read this book; it is full of surprising facts and stories about how Canadian creativity has bound together a vast and challenging country and in the process enriched the entire world." -Salvatore Amenta "This book not only sends a message about Canadian creativity, but looks at Canadian history as it has been impacted by that creativity. Paul Schafer shows that Canadians are, indeed, citizens of (and for) the world." -Bill Crothers

"A celebration of Canadian creativity over many centuries!" -Walter Pitman, former MP, MPP and president of Ryerson University "Far from being unimaginative and unexciting, Canadians are among the world's most creative people. This book explains why." -James Gillies, professor emeritus, York University "A perfect point of departure for the rebranding of Canada as a proud, dynamic, innovative, and forward-looking nation." -John Hobday, former director, Canada Council for the Arts In this exciting new book, noted author and cultural scholar D. Paul Schafer tackles the subject of Canadian creativity in every field of human endeavour, from the arts and entertainment through transportation, communications and industry to science, technology, sports, and conservation of the natural environment. The result is a lively look at the many ways Canadians have helped shape the modern world-some well-known, others hidden in the mists of history. Schafer traces Canadian creativity from its origins in the cultures of the indigenous peoples to the present day. He considers creative inventions large and small-everything from the Robertson screw to the International Space Station's Canadarm. As Schafer notes, Canadian creativity has been the foundation both of Canada's high standard of living and its much admired quality of life. In the years ahead, Canadian creativity can serve as a model and inspiration for other nations, and as the principal means of ensuring Canada's future shines as brightly as its past. More rave reviews ... "Anyone proudly Canadian will find this book fascinating, but teachers will find it particularly helpful in fostering their students' creativity. It will not be necessary to coax pupils to read this book; it is full of surprising facts and stories about how Canadian creativity has bound together a vast and challenging country and in the process enriched the entire world." -Salvatore Amenta "This book not only sends a message about Canadian creativity, but looks at Canadian history as it has been impacted by that creativity. Paul Schafer shows that Canadians are, indeed, citizens of (and for) the world." -Bill Crothers SOME OF THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS PROFILED IN CELEBRATING CANADIAN CREATIVITY -The remarkable achievements of Canada's First Nations peoples in transportation (the canoe), shelter (the igloo, teepee, and longhouse), foodstuffs (maple syrup and pemmican) and many other fields -How Canada helped feed the world through the development of Marquis wheat -Little-known Canadian pioneers in the development of the electric light bulb, radio, and the electronic music synthesizer -Yes, Alexander Graham Bell was the man who invented the telephone-but did you know he also played a major role in early aeronautics and in the development of the hydrofoil boat? -Canada's role in the shaping of the modern sporting world through the invention of basketball and contributions to curling and to Canada's national sport of hockey -The creation by Sir Adam Beck and Thomas Ahearn of the Canadian hydroelectric industry, which helped drive the country's rapid industrial growth in the early twentieth century -Strategic breakthroughs in medicine and health care by William Osler, Emily Stowe, Tommy Douglas, Frederick Banting, Charles Best, James Till, Ernest McCulloch, and many others -Canada's remarkable role in the early development of Hollywood and Broadway as well as recent contributions to pop music through such talents as Céline Dion, Michael Bublé, Drake, and many other singers and songwriters -Canadian writers who have achieved global recognition, from Thomas Chandler Haliburton, Stephen Leacock, Lucy Maud Montgomery, Gabrielle Roy, Robert Service, and Morley Callaghan to Margaret Atwood, Carol Shields, Lawrence Hill, and Nobel prize-winner Alice Munro

The author draws on many disciplines-anthropology, sociology, philosophy, cosmology, history, economics, and the arts-to make his case that culture and cultures should be accorded a central position in global development and human affairs in the future.