{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.028288543140028287, 'fraction_numerical': 0.0014144271570014145, 'mean_word_length': 5.206140350877193, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
Getting a Grip: Clarity, Creativity, and Courage in a World Gone Mad (review)

Frances Moore Lappé offers a framework for moving beyond, beyond the Spiral of Powerlessness to the life-giving Spiral of Empowerment through the process of confronting the myths perpetuated by “Thin Democracy.” Thin Democracy, as Lappé notes, is born out of a limited understanding of what democracy can be (pp. 8–9). For many Americans, democracy has been so distorted that it bears little meaning beyond simply the responsibilities of voting and purchasing goods to fuel the economy. This mindset perpetuates feelings of hopelessness; the cure for disengagement of this sort is Lappé’s “Living Democracy.” As the United States grapples with the challenges of creating a Living Democracy, other countries are too, making this book applicable for a wide international audience. Lappé’s book is organized into three parts, based on the notion that clarity, creativity, and courage are all essential elements for participating in a Living Democracy. The beauty of a Living Democracy lies in that it is not a utopian view of democracy, but rather supposes that disagreements and challenges will arise; however, instead of shrinking back into Thin Democracy, we engage with difference, allowing our individual selves room to experience discomfort, thus beginning the journey of dialogue. Lappé provides real-world examples of book reviews