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The various programs and web sites under The Commons are all seen as consistent parts of a greater whole. The programs are organized for purposes of convenience into two semi-self-contained thematic clusters: Technology & Society (Pattern Breaks) and @ccess (Sustainable Transportation). Central themes throughout all projects and programs across The Commons include:

• Trend or Pattern Breaks: Things that we need to discover and do, together, to break the inertia of present unsustainable and unjust practices -- and get ourselves on new paths of behavior and real well-being.
• Independence of Perspective: Anything that requires a major shift in held-values, structures and behavior is likely to be less than welcome by those whose vision and acts are determined by the status quo. In all our initiatives we must, therefore, be entirely independent of these forces and attitudes, while at the same time understanding of their values and fears and capable of mobilizing them to the new ideas and structures.
• Pragmatic Activism: The search for practical, near term tools and ways to better balance our powerful economic motors and incentive systems with badly underserved but potentially even more powerful matters of community, social justice, and personal harmony.
• Harnessing Technology:Technology got right as a powerful tool for sustainable development. "Knowledge building" via technology and sharing. The concept of technology-mediated international teamwork and collaboration across national borders to these ends. Getting the best and avoiding the worst of the so-called "information society", including ways of parrying the dangers of the two-speed society that is presently among our gravest threats.
• New Democracy: New concepts and new levels of direct citizen involvement, participation, enterprise and leadership. 21st century governance!