We have recently returned from a very exciting and productive week-long theory retreat in Teesdale on authority, performance and participatory democracy. Members of ARN were joined by Tom Wakeford, Jenny Pearce, Helen Nicholson, Paddy Bresnihan and Erin Walcott to explore theoretical ideas and to work towards a polemical pamphlet or booklet. Readings included works by Latour, Fals-Borda, Fanon, Chambers, Kluge, and Whatmore & Landstrom.