Before the Universal Studio movie "Patch Adams" was released, I wondered what to do with fame. Our system of "people fame" values self-centeredness and wealth. I want to live in a world where people become famous because of their work for peace and justice and care. I want the famous to be inspiring; their lives an example of what every human being has it in them to do — act from love!

I never wanted to sign an autograph if it suggested I was unattainably famous. If anything, I would sign a doctor’s order: "Spread joy or chase your wildest dreams." I did not want to just keep refusing autograph seekers, so I would offer instead a criticism of pop culture, and a personal invitation: "Please join me in working for peace, justice and care for all people on the planet! Let me give you my card." And I would hand that person this arbitrary group of lists as pointers, not answers. That’s how "Patch’s Prescription" evolved. Each of the "Take 10" lists could be revitalized each day and we'd never run out of ideas. Make up your own lists (the main thing is to BE your creation).

The books in my "Library" are just a hint of the large number of books that have impelled me ethically — in every public space — to show my concern for our coming extinction in this century. This is for me a straightforward medical concern and report. The books in this list speak to why I'm saying we will be extinct in mid-century and why we don't have to be. We have so little time that I feel it is a public service announcement. Almost no minds looking intelligently at the issue of extinction feel confident there will be humans by the end of this century. The more I study the extent of the diseased systems involved, the more I feel I've understated the problem.

So, to the point:

Please give your life to peace, justice and care.

Patch

Clowns pour la Paix  haut