I am a 21-year old student at Antioch College. I read Ishmael in 9th grade and have since gone on to read almost all of DQ's other books, as well as many other books that have affected my thinking, who I am, and my direction in life.
My place, my role is to be a Cultural Creative, an Ishie, an Questioner, an Agent of Change. I am always trying to better understand what's going on and what needs to be done--all the myriad ways to contribute to the building of communities and a society that is sustainable and works better for people... with a fundamentally different relationship with the rest of the Community of Life. Connecting with other Ishmael readers is one way of helping this process along.

Read Going Local by Michael H. Shuman. It's on DQ's book list and has been really, really good for me in increasing my awareness of what's possible. As we face the coming transition through Peak Oil and other ecological-economic-social aspects to our situation, coming together and working together in our local communities (and virtual communities) is SO important. I think it is The most important thing that needs to happen. Together we will have enough resources and wisdom to navigate through difficulties with the best possible results.

I recommend that people educate themselves about what's likely to happen globally and locally in the next 5, 10, 20+ years and think about their own lives and the lives of their family (and other close people), ways to prepare, possible courses of action depending on what happens. And then start somewhere with making their way of life more sustainable and secure (i.e. buying local food, reducing energy use, gaining practical skills, etc.). That's where, I think most of us need to start. From there, in order to live sustainably & sanely, etc. things need to change in our communities, so get involved in an effort already established, or start something.
Robert Waldrop, who I heard speak at a recent conference, ended up starting a co-op for people in Oklahoma to buy food and other things from Oklahoma producers--check out their website at www.oklahomafood.coop . They have some really great resources--check out the Better Times, and steps towards family food security.