ALL THAT WE SHARE A FIELD GUIDE TO THE COMMONS By Jay
Walljasper, with an introduction by Bill McKibben Published by
The New Press, $18.95 The commons were traditionally defined as
the elements of the environment -- forests, atmosphere, rivers,
fisheries or grazing land -- that are shared, used and enjoyed
by all. Today, the commons are also understood within a cultural
sphere. These commons include literature, music, arts, design,
film, video, television, radio, information, software and sites
of heritage. The commons can also include “public goods” such as
public space, public education, health and the infrastructure
that allows our society to function (such as electricity or
water-delivery systems). There also exists the “life commons,”
e.g., the human genome.