We live in an age of cascading risks which portend societies’ collapse. In this Evolutionary Conversation we will discuss some root causes of our inability or unwillingness to discern and deal with risk, even when it is palpable, and we will explore opportunities for community and national transcendence and transformation. We will use our indifference and lack of preparedness to manage electrical wildfires as one specific example among many others.
Discovery Questions:
- Why do communities seem to be unable to learn collectively from catastrophe? During crises we come together for a short while to care for one another. We temporarily awaken to our interdependence, but then the altruistic impulse becomes less salient to us, and we return to how we were before the crisis. What will it take to cause a shift toward compassionate precaution?
- How do past and present traumas constrain wise adaptation?
- In what ways is Integral Resilience a powerful tool for observation, diagnosis, prescription, and implementation?
- What is Big Heart Intelligence? How can the Heart as a discerning guide be practically applied to the challenges of risk identification and management?
- How can the Precautionary Principle contribute to balance and reconcile Tragic Choices?
- What do studies and research on Enchantment tell us about awakening and managing risk?
- How does the study of Emergence enable us to address complex 21st century challenges?
- What are the roles of Evolutionary Values and Character in causing a beneficial shift for an Age in Crisis?
- Is there a practical basis for hope?
References:
Jared Diamond — Collapse (TED Talk)
Julian Gresser — How the Leopard Changed Its Spots—Evolutionary Values for an Age in Crisis
David Attenborough — Breaking Boundaries
Institute for Research on Unlimited Love
The Technology and Law Program at MIT
Click here to check out Julian’s Resilient Communities Course
We look forward to your participation in this Evolutionary Conversation.Julian Gresser
Ben Levi
William Moulton
