Has anyone noticed a massive shift in the way we are thinking about 'community' as a lifestyle rather than a buzzword on the Internet?
For sure the Internet has shifted away from paying lip service to actually building real communities that encourage expression, intervention, participation and invention.
In exactly the same way that on-line sites have started to empower their members it has to be noted that this too is happening in physical geographical communities around the United Kingdom and with it, there seems to be a massive shift in government policy and re-direction of funds to help build on these green shoots.
It may very well be that UK politicians are jumping on the Obama bandwagon, by listening to, and talking directly to people and groups, rather than talking and and dictating what they feel is right.
Only this week, Rural Affairs Minister Huw Irranca-Davies announced plans to empower rural and urban communities to tackle their local challenges directly.
The move will encourage the building of new homes for local people that are in need, give consideration to rural businesses when making planning applications that reflect their business needs turn away from 'soulless' housing estates at the edge of towns.
Member of Parliament Matthew Taylor, who conducted a review into issues facing rural communities in 2008, said: "This is an important day for the countryside.
"No change is no option - the alternative to sustaining and rejuvenating rural communities is to fossilise them, in time forcing out the families and working people without whom farms can't be tended, shops and services kept running, village schools kept open.
"My report, 'Living Working Countryside', was about supporting rural communities across England. Without the action promised by the Government today in response to my report, all too often our countryside would face local people priced out, local services closing, and ever fewer and worse paid jobs."
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