To live well, are teachers necessary? How important is training? Does Christianity in relation to Judaism, early Buddhism in relation to Hinduism, Sufism in relation to Islam, and Zen in relation to later Buddhism have in common a decision to simplify essential knowledge and level the relationships between leaders and believers? Why did Jesus say, Be like a child? Why did Suzuki write, Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind? In small teams, must the “leader” retain some authority to make unilateral decisions, especially when there’s no consensus? Does our society exaggerate the value of being “number one” or “most valuable”? Why do we appreciate exceptional skill?
Read More…Wooldridge calls for private schools to offer half their places to poorer students and advocates the creation of a “highly variegated” school system consisting of technical and art schools as well as academically selective ones. He also says we need a “moral revival” in our values to counteract our society’s obsessive celebration of intelligence. He points out that many members of the cognitive elite (such as bankers and journalists) are generally despised by the ordinary public, who revere the caring professions instead….
Read MoreBy Thomas L. Friedman
…It has been obvious ever since Trump first ran for president that many of his core supporters actually hate the people who hate Trump, more than they care about Trump or any particular action he takes, no matter how awful.
The media feed Trump’s supporters a daily diet of how outrageous this or that Trump action is — but none of it diminishes their support. Because many Trump supporters are not attracted to his policies. They’re attracted to his attitude — his willingness and evident delight in skewering the people they hate and who they feel look down on them.
Humiliation, in my view, is the most underestimated force in politics and international relations. The poverty of dignity explains so much more behavior than the poverty of money….
Read MoreBy Wade Lee Hudson
Thus far, the activist organization that comes closest to fulfilling Systemopedia’s vision is East Point Peace Academy. The progress they’ve made organizing a national network of like-minded small teams is particularly encouraging.
However, ambiguities in their website content raise two questions: 1) East Point, might you clarify your written commitments to more fully affirm everyone’s essential equality? 2) Might you invite your supporters to collaboratively plan and convene a workshop to explore how to advance your principles, with the understanding that the participants will be invited to plan and convene the next workshop?
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