Fenn critiques the bureaucratic structures that often hinder progress and advocates for a more engaged citizenry that can influence local politics. He also explores the interconnectedness of energy and food systems and the necessity of creating alliances to support local economies. Ultimately, Fenn calls for a reimagining of democracy that prioritizes knowledge creation and community involvement over passive acceptance of market-driven decisions.

Today, local towns haul and dump our waste in Vermont, South Carolina, Ohio and in New York along the Canadian border - often on native reservation lands. There it is incinerated or landfilled in what are typically lowest income and most vulnerable communities. It is an immoral society that exports its toxic waste to poorer communities. In the process, however, these Western Massachusetts neglected to export one thing into someone else’s body: their legacy landfill leachates.

FOOLS AND SAGES podcast interviewed me about my book with Eduardo Subirats and Christopher Britt Arredondo, ENLIGHTENMENT IN AN AGE OF...